Childcare Training

The beginning years of any child's life are critical for building the early foundation of learning, health, and wellness needed for success in school and later in life.  During these years, children's brains are developing rapidly, influenced by the experiences--both positive and negative--that they share with their families, caregivers, teachers, peers, and in their communities. A child's early years set the trajectory for the relationships and successes they will experience for the rest of their lives, making it crucial that children's earliest experiences truly foster--and never harm-- their development.  High-quality early childhood programs provide the positive experiences that nurture positive learning and development.

To that end, ensuring that the early childhood workforce is adequately trained, supported, and prepared to help all children excel is a key strategy.  Unfortunately, many teachers and providers do not have sufficient training and support to meet this goal.  The 2012 National Survey of Early Care and Education indicates that only about 20% of teachers and providers, serving children under five, reported receiving specific training on facilitating children's social and emotional growth in the past year.  Other studies have found that early learning teachers report that coping with challenging behavior is their most pressing training need.  Aside from not having adequate support in fostering social-emotional development, and appropriately responding to challenging behavior without enough training in child development, it may be difficult to distinguish behaviors that are inappropriate from those that are developmentally age appropriate.

K-State Research and Extension Sedgwick County offers childcare training in the community to any childcare center, church, or group working with children 0-5 years of age.  These two-hour sessions are approved by KDHE.  The cost is $10 per person and a certificate of completion is earned.  The following training classes are available upon request.

Physical Activity Approach:  I'm Moving I'm Learning (IMIL)

• Nutrition Building Block
• Moving with the Brain in Mind
• Take It Outside
• Opportunity Knocks
• Making the Most of Your Music
• Birth to Five
• Teaching across Cultural Horizons
• MVPA Every Date (Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity)
• Body Language
• Move, Play, and Learn at Home

Socio-Emotional Approach: Rock Solid Foundation (RSF)

• Responsive Environment and Routines
• Building Relationships
• Emotional Literacy
• Friendship and Play Skills