Breakout Session -
Option #1

Presenter: Janice Kilburn, PhD (SC First Steps) & Brittany Washington (Harleyville Elementary School)

The Chemistry of 4K to 5K Transition Success: Secret Sauce Ingredients

(1 hr)

The transition to kindergarten is a big deal for rising kindergartners and their families. It is an important developmental milestone that involves logistical, symbolic, and even personal factors. It can set children on a trajectory to school success – or challenges to success – that can persist throughout their educational experiences. Be inspired to think about how PreK teachers can contribute to successful kindergarten transitions for their children and families.

Breakout Session -
Option #2

Presenter: Heather Googe, PhD (Pyramid PIECES)

Have you heard about Pyramid PIECES?

(1 hr)

Join us to learn about Pyramid PIECES and the supports available to early care and education providers throughout the state. We will discuss strategies to support teachers to prevent challenging behaviors in young children. You will also learn about the Pyramid PIECES Behavior Support Network and how they can help you if you have a child with significant challenging behaviors in your program.

Breakout Session -
Option #3

Presenters:
Kelli Williams, Ed.S. & Candy Walsh (Lexington School District 1)

Propelling Play: Navigating the Development of Play in 4K

(1 hr)

Pre-K educators, administrators, curriculum coordinators, and passionate advocates of early childhood education—this workshop was created with you in mind! Whether you're a rookie road tripper or a seasoned navigator, join me and gain tools for paving the way for lifelong learning and growth. Participants will have the opportunity to share their own insights and experiences, collaborate with colleagues, and walk away with a toolkit of ideas, resources, and inspiration to enrich their preschool programs through purposeful play.

Breakout Session -
Option #4

Presenters:
Lydia Carnesale, PhD (University of South Carolina/USDE)

Puentes: Bridging educators and families to support young MLs

(1 hr)

This session will introduce participants to the foundations of social and emotional development and its connection to challenging behavior, while also providing several key Pyramid Model practices educators can begin using in their classrooms to support all young students.Build better bridges by learning the best way to collaborate, connect and support young MLs and their families in early childhood spaces.

Breakout Session -
Option #5

Presenters:
Kate K Chappell, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, Victoria Davis, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE & Amy Shapley-Farrell, MA (University of South Carolina College of Nursing)

Puentes: Ready for every child: Inclusive settings for children's health needs

(1 hr)

Explore resources and planning tools to prepare for children with specific health needs in preschool settings, including SC-based tailored training. Presenters will lead attendees through scenarios involving chronic and acute health needs and discuss strategies and tools that can help support staff feeling prepared and ready to respond while supporting positive preschool experiences for all children. We will review how to recognize and navigate common and emergent health situations in the preschool setting. Come learn about resources to support safe and inclusive environments for children with diagnoses including allergic reactions, seizures, cerebral palsy, hearing and vision differences, and sickle cell anemia.

Breakout Session -
Option #6

Presenter:
Bonnie Darlene Faucette (South Carolina Child Care Resource & Referral)

STEAM- Block Play

(1 hr)

Integrating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) into early childhood education is crucial for fostering a holistic and engaging learning environment. Block play, a hands-on and versatile activity, provides an ideal platform to introduce these concepts to young learners. Educators can stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity by encouraging children to explore, experiment, and create with blocks. This training session aims to equip educators with practical strategies and activities to seamlessly incorporate STEAM principles into block play, maximizing children's learning potential and development. Through this approach, we can prepare young minds for a future of innovation and inquiry.

Breakout Session -
Option #7

Presenter:
Emily Durham (Palmetto Shared Services Alliance)

Time and Space Matter

(1 hr)

It is often said that the classroom is another teacher in the classroom. Both space and time are part of what the classroom does to affect child behavior and learning. In this interactive session, early childcare providers will learn strategies to use the classroom to improve their space and timing to enhance child behavior and learning.

Breakout Session -
Option #1

Presenter:
Emily Durham & Susan Kear (Palmetto Shared Services Alliance)

Classroom Management

(1 hr)

Classroom management is necessary but can be hard to learn. The dynamics in the classroom can change from year to year as the children or your co-teacher change. There are certain strategies that will work no matter what. Today we are going to look at ways to always have a classroom that works for you and the children.

Breakout Session -
Option #2

Presenter:
Heather Googe, PhD (Pyramid PIECES)

Have you heard about Pyramid PIECES?

(1 hr)

Join us to learn about Pyramid PIECES and the supports available to early care and education providers throughout the state. We will discuss strategies to support teachers to prevent challenging behaviors in young children. You will also learn about the Pyramid PIECES Behavior Support Network and how they can help you if you have a child with significant challenging behaviors in your program.

Breakout Session -
Option #3

Presenter:
Shayla Pettigrew (SC First Steps)

Improving the Family-School Connection with G.P.S.

(1 hr)

Developing an authentic family-school partnership is like taking a family trip, it involves good planning skills. Participants in this session will identify the key components of family engagement and discuss ways to create an individual family engagement plan before getting to your destination.

Breakout Session -
Option #4

Presenters:
Kelli Williams Ed.S. & Candy Walsh (Lexington School District 1)

Propelling Play: Navigating the Development of Play in 4K

(1 hr)

Pre-K educators, administrators, curriculum coordinators, and passionate advocates of early childhood education—this workshop was created with you in mind! Whether you're a rookie road tripper or a seasoned navigator, join me and gain tools for paving the way for lifelong learning and growth. Participants will have the opportunity to share their own insights and experiences, collaborate with colleagues, and walk away with a toolkit of ideas, resources, and inspiration to enrich their preschool programs through purposeful play.

Breakout Session -
Option #5

Presenter:
Lydia Carnesale (University of South Carolina/USDE)

Puentes: Bridging educators and families to support young MLs

(1 hr)

This presentation will highlight best practices when engaging Young Multilinguals, connecting curriculum to home languages and building strong connections with their families.

Breakout Session -
Option #6

Presenters:
Kate K Chappell, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, Victoria Davis, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE & Amy Shapley-Farrell, MA (University of South Carolina College of Nursing)

A Spectrum of Support: Supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

(1 hr)

This session will provide an overview of the common characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and strategies for addressing challenging behaviors and barriers for children with ASD in the childcare setting. Presenters will lead attendees through scenarios involving characteristics of ASD and discuss and tools that can help staff respond proactively and effectively while supporting an inclusive environment for all children. We will briefly review the diagnostic criteria for ASD and the characteristics and behaviors commonly seen in the childcare setting and provide concrete strategies and supports for addressing these needs. Come join us to better understand ASD and learn ways to make your interactions more positive and productive.