Courageous Conversations; Communicating Strategies for Program Leaders #36 (03/09/26 - 04/08/26)
Discover your communication style and how utilizing your style can aid you in having successful, courageous conversations. Identify and learn to implement how to have courageous conversations with families, staff, licensors, and other stakeholders that you engage with. By practicing and taking a communication inventory, you can learn that conversations that were once considered difficult…
Read MoreCourageous Conversations; Communicating Strategies for Program Leaders #35 (10/13/25 - 11/12/25)
Discover your communication style and how utilizing your style can aid you in having successful, courageous conversations. Identify and learn to implement how to have courageous conversations with families, staff, licensors, and other stakeholders that you engage with. By practicing and taking a communication inventory, you can learn that conversations that were once considered difficult…
Read MoreTrauma-Responsive Care for Infants and Toddlers in Child Care (09/16/25 - 10/23/25)
This online course is consists of Modules 1-4 of the Trauma Responsive Care series and will explore the topic of trauma and trauma responsive care and how child care providers can apply best practices in serving the children and families in child care. All of the trauma learning content and many of the concepts in…
Read MoreLa Credencial de Asociado en Desarrollo Infantil (CDA)®: Portafolio Profesional y Autoevaluación (The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™: Professional Portfolio and Self-Study) (Spanish) (06/16/25 - 09/30/25)
Aprenda qué incluir en el portafolio profesional del CDA y cómo organizarlo de manera efectiva. Descubra el valor de realizar una autoevaluación y obtenga ideas para ofrecer experiencias de aprendizaje de calidad, libros adecuados y adaptaciones para los niños en su programa. Examine what to include in the CDA professional portfolio and how to organize…
Read MorePreventing Child Abuse and Neglect (06/16/25 - 09/30/25)
Explore the role educators take in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Define the types of child abuse and neglect and signs of child abuse and neglect. Describe ways educators can minimize the chances of a child being abused or neglected in early education programs.
Read MoreCaring for the Caregiver (10/07/25 - 10/30/25)
This online course is the fifth module of the Trauma Responsive Care series and focuses on caregiver wellness and well-being. This module can be taken as part of the series or as a standalone course. Caregivers will explore how stress and trauma may impact them and how they can safeguard the most important protective factors—themselves.…
Read MoreIntroduction to Children with Special Needs (09/18/25 - 10/11/25)
The incidence of varying disabilities and special needs continue to increase and most child care providers will have the opportunity to care for children with special needs. This workshop will review some of the red flags for developmental concern including challenging behavior and some of the diagnosis most commonly seen. The workshop will also review…
Read MoreObservation and Documentation: Using Program Information for Decision-Making (10/02/25 - 11/01/25)
This course will describe the components of authentic assessment, of which observation is key; describe how observation and documentation are used in making program decisions; and how to develop lesson plans using the Minnesota Early Indicators of Progress as a guide.
Read MoreGrant Writing for New Dollars in your Early Childhood Business (10/01/25 - 10/31/25)
Learn the fundamentals of writing grant proposals and study funding sources available to early education programs in Minnesota. Evaluate funding needs and priorities to match projects with priorities of potential grantors. Through this online Eager to Learn course, create a fundraising plan to bring additional funds for professional development, equipment or facility needs to enhance…
Read MoreBasic Child Development (09/24/25 - 10/24/25)
All children are born eager to explore their world and master their development. Join us for this foundational training in which we review the theories of child development, the importance of developmentally appropriate practice, the developmental milestones of the first five years of life, including brain development and factors that can influence child growth and…
Read MorePromoting Healthy Eating and Physical Development in Child Care Programs (09/15/25 - 10/15/25)
Understand important influencers of healthy eating and physical activity in young children. Describe healthy eating and physical activity recommendations for young children and the benefits of these behaviors. Discuss how childcare plays a role in healthy physical development for young children. Describe activities that can be incorporated in childcare that promote healthy physical development for…
Read MoreEarly Literacy: How Children Learn Language (09/02/25 - 09/25/25)
Advanced Implementation of Early Literacy in Your Early Childhood Program level 2 focuses on the interrelatedness of children’s language and literacy development with other areas of development (physical, cognitive, personal/social, creative, and approaches to learning), This course includes information on the implementation of early literacy for all age groups (infants, toddlers, and preschoolers).
Read MoreActive Supervision: A Developmental Perspective (E2E) (06/16/25 - 12/31/25)
Define MN DHS Rule 2 licensing standards regarding supervision in family child care settings. Describe the ways supervision is impacted by a child’s development. Identify characteristics typically associated with differing levels of development and their impact on supervision.
Read MoreAssessment: Deepening Your Practice (E2E) (06/16/25 - 12/31/25)
Explore a variety of methods of creating interactive assessment documentation such as portfolios and Learning Stories. Utilize assessment documentation to increase child engagement and learning. Examine methods for actively engaging families in the assessment and goal setting process.
Read MoreAssessment: An Overview (E2E) (06/16/25 - 12/31/25)
Consider the importance of using assessment in early childhood settings. Explore the steps of the authentic assessment cycle and how to embed them in your practice. Compare the ideas discussed with the best practice recommendations from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Read MoreEngaging and Communicating with Families (E2E) (06/16/25 - 12/31/25)
Explore the value of helping families become more involved and engaged in child care programs and learn specific techniques for accomplishing this. Practice a variety of techniques for strengthening communication with the families of the children you care for.
Read MoreAges and Stages – An Overview of Early Childhood Development (E2E) (06/16/25 - 12/31/25)
Learn to define the ages and stages of early childhood development, focusing on milestones for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Recognize red flags in children’s development and determine a plan for responding to them. This is an online, self-paced module.
Read MoreUnpacking Trauma in Children and Their Families (E2E) (06/16/25 - 12/31/25)
Discover how to support children and their families, recognize the symptoms of chronic stress/trauma; minimize the impact of stress/ trauma through building positive relationships that are predictable and reliable, and learn how to manage their reactions. This is an Anytime Learning Module.
Read MoreSupervisión activa: Una perspectiva de desarrollo/Active Supervision: A Developmental Perspective (Spanish) (E2E) (06/16/25 - 12/31/25)
Definir los estándares de concesión de licencias de la Norma 2 del Departamento de Servicios Humanos (Department of Human Services, DHS) de Minnesota relativas a la supervisión en entornos de cuidado infantil familiar. Describir las formas en que la supervisión se ve influenciada por la etapa de desarrollo de un niño. Identificar las características que…
Read MorePreparación para emergencias: creando un plan eficaz (Emergency Preparedness: Creating an Effective Plan – Spanish) (E2E) (06/16/25 - 12/31/25)
Identifique los riesgos y peligros que pueden afectar su programa de cuidado infantil. Desarrolle un plan de preparación para emergencias por escrito utilizando la plantilla del Plan de Emergencia para el Cuidado Infantil del MN Department of Human Services. Identify the risks and hazards that may affect your child care program. Develop an effective written…
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