76th Annual SECA Conference

Join us as we share our attempts at minimizing the child care staffing crisis in our state, through two initiatives that are training high school students in early childhood education best practices. The University of Arkansas Fort Smith Early Childhood Education Program, in collaboration with the Arkansas Early Childhood Association, has piloted two models for offering college credit and early childhood credentials to secondary learners. After graduating from their local high schools, these students will have the training for providing the highest quality of care to children birth-five. Furthermore, they will be able to continue their education through the fully online Early Childhood Associate and Bachelor degrees, while employed in their local child development centers. We will have a time for brainstorming alternate solutions to the current staffing crisis, as we are all in this together!

Finding the most engaging strategies for meaningful professional development is an important part of a director’s role. Ensuring that information and activities are geared to all staff and can benefit everyone present is often a challenge. This session will cover five important components of excellent professional development with details and examples. A free workbook can be accessed after the session for later consideration and support.

This session will focus on strategies to include more engagement and interactive opportunities for participants in training sessions both virtual and in-person. Engagement land interaction are just as important to adults as to children.New and easy-to-use digital tools will be introduced to facilitate effective training that is robust, energetic, and adaptable to many settings.

The Healing Power of Play and Optimism
Optimism is powerful. When human beings strengthen their ability to see and focus on the goodness and value in themselves, others, and the world around them, their social, emotional and cognitive superpowers emerge. Optimism, however, is fragile. Chronic stress, fear and overwhelming adversity can weaken and destroy our capacity for optimism. This inspiring presentation by Steve Gross, helps Early Childhood Professionals discover the power of optimism to create safe, loving, joyful, and engaging environments where kids can heal, grow and thrive. Using research, humor and personal stories from 30+ years of work with kids and their caretakers Steve will share how practicing optimism can bring out the best in ourselves, our colleagues and our children.

This professional development program offers a comprehensive exploration of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma-sensitive pedagogy and socio-emotional learning. Participants will gain valuable insights and practical strategies to create a supportive and empowering learning environment that fosters resilience and social-emotional development in students. Through engaging sessions and collaborative activities, educators will acquire the knowledge and tools necessary to implement trauma-informed practices and cultivate a holistic approach to education that addresses the diverse needs of students in today's educational landscape.

Have you ever noticed that certain people do all the talking? You may be thinking to yourself that is a good thing: If other people talk, then I don’t have to! But not speaking up keeps you from getting your ideas heard, your values understood, and your needs met. What if there was a solution? In today’s interactive presentation you will pick up three tools to help you speak up, even if you are an introvert.

Children often find themselves overwhelmed by emotions and upsets. This can lead to challenging behaviors. Through specific strategies and connection and self-regulation, children can move from upset to cooperation and participate in learning experiences. Strategies will be shared and practiced in preventing challenging behaviors, as well as responding to challenging behaviors. Participants will learn, practice, and evaluate experiences and structures useful with young children in reducing challenging behaviors.