Professional Development for Early Childhood Teachers

Customized Professional Development

Are you interested in high-quality and engaging professional development delivered on-site for your staff? Want a customized workshop to meet the unique needs of your program? ECE-TRIS credit is available for all sessions.

Popular professional development topics include:

  • Big Feelings: Strategies to Support Regulation and Calming (new!)

  • Using Visual Cues to Improve Communication and Guidance (new!)

  • Family Resources for Infant and Toddler Educators (new!)

  • Anti-bias Education in Early Childhood Classrooms

  • Intervention Planning for Intense Child Behaviors (Functional Behavior Assessment)

  • Positive Relationships for Positive Guidance

  • Guiding Child Behavior with a Supportive Environment

  • Intentionally Teaching Social-Emotional Skills

  • Self-Regulation and Problem-Solving for Preschoolers

  • Partnering with Families

  • Project Approach in the Early Childhood Classroom

  • Making Circle Time Engaging for All

  • Using Classroom Displays to Support Instruction

  • Reframing Views on Challenging Behavior (Teacher Self-Regulation)

Considering a parenting class for the families enrolled in your program?

  • Using Positive Guidance at Home

  • Tips for Tantrums and Managing Meltdown

  • Successful Bedtime Routines

  • Supporting Your Child’s Development…and Having Fun Doing It!

  • The Power of Play

All prepared workshops can be customized for your program/staff or new sessions can be created just for you.

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“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

— W.B. Yeats

Consultation for Teachers

Need help for challenging issues that pop up in the classroom? Interested in on-site consultation for teachers? All consultations are scheduled on an as-needed basis and based on specific classroom/program concerns.

Common issues addressed:

  • Classroom management

  • Positive behavior supports

  • Individualizing support for diverse learners

Consultation sessions include:

  • One-on-one consultation in the classroom

  • Coaching to address teacher concerns and support new strategies

  • Follow-up communication to coordinate planning between teachers and administrators

“Ask yourself if what you are doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.”

— Author Unknown

  • "As a private, non-profit preschool we were able to establish a relationship with Nurture Development on a professional level. The experience has been wonderful in helping to support children throughout their development when they need extra support in the classroom. Dr. McLaren gives positive feedback to the staff and is very knowledgeable."

    Early Childhood Program Director

Degrees & Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Social Relations from Earlham College

  • Master’s degree in special education (with focus in early childhood special education) from the University of Kentucky

  • Doctorate in special education (with focus in early childhood special education) from the University of Kentucky

  • IECE teacher certification

     

  • Level 5 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer’s Credential

  • 20+ years of experience providing high-quality professional development for early childhood professionals…and I love doing it!  

  • Experience teaching in a variety of classroom-based programs

  • Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses