Keynote Address:  “No Such Thing as a Bad Kid!”

Keynote Speaker: 

Charlie Appelstein, M.S.W., President of Appelstein Training Resources, LLC

Understanding and Responding to Young Children with Emotional & Behavioral Challenges Using a Positive, Trauma-Informed, Strength-Based Approach & Creating a Positive, Strength-Based Culture in Your Setting

Strength-based practice is an emerging approach to guiding children, and in particular, those with emotional and behavioral challenges  that is exceptionally positive and inspiring. Its focus is on strength-building rather than flaw-fixing. It begins with the belief that every individual has or can develop strengths and utilize past successes to mitigate problem behavior and enhance social and academic functioning. This uplifting talk will highlight some of the key principles and techniques of this transforming modality.

 Areas covered include: What is strength-based practice & the power of a positive attitude; the effects of positive emotions and trauma on the brain; strength-based communication principles and techniques - including reframing, inspirational metaphors and positive predicting; creating positive, growth mindsets in children; enhancing self-esteem;  respectful, relationship-based limit setting; and a host of creative cognitive behavioral strategies.

Bio

Charlie Appelstein, M.S.W. is a nationally prominent youth care specialist and author whose primary focus is on teaching positive, strength-based theories and techniques to professionals who guide at-risk children and youth. President of Appelstein Training Resources, LLC, Charlie trains and consults throughout the United States as well as internationally, with treatment facilities, foster care associations, parent groups, schools, and juvenile justice programs. He has authored three youth care books that are widely used within the field, including No Such Thing as a Bad Kid: Understanding and Responding to the Challenging Behavior of Troubled Children and Youth. Charlie lives in southern New Hampshire with his wife and teenage daughter.

“No Such Thing as a Bad Kid!”:  Part 2

Presenter:  Charlie Appelstein, M.S.W, President of Appelstein Training Resources LLC

This session is an extension of the Keynote Presentation

The Purpose of Play

Presenter:  Danielle Melching, Child and Family Program Instructor, MSU Extension

Learn about the purpose of play in early childhood.Discover why play-based education for young children is so critical to their social, emotional, language, cognitive and physical development.This workshop is designed for parents and caregivers.

Social/Emotional Strategies for Infants and Toddlers*

Presenter:  Julie Miller, Infant and Family Specialist, Saginaw Public Schools

Infants and toddlers are often very emotional, and they should be! They need to be in order to learn how to better handle their emotions later on in life. The problem is, they can't learn about their

feeling on their own. We need to teach them, just like we teach them their ABC's and 123's. Come to this session to learn the foundations needed to set infants and toddlers up for social and emotional success in life.

Healthy Brain Development for Young Children

Presenter:  Tracy Trautner, Extension Educator, MSU Extension

•Examine attachment and why it is important to the developing brain.

•Review parts of the brain and the function of each.

•Learn about the effects of trauma and neglect on a young child's brain.

•Understand how nutrition, physical activity and curiosity is important to brain development.

“Use the Force, Luke” Managing Number One First…And Staying Motivated to do the Job

Presenter:  Charlie Appelstein, M.S.W, President of Appelstein Training Resources LLC

Working day after day with young children often elicits difficult feelings that can compromise a professional's performance. This presentation examines the major triggers and provides strategies for-management that keep enthusiasm alive. Focal points include: how to respond instead of react when personalizing difficult interactions; the pivotal role of support and how to maintain professionalism when it is lacking; the need to check personal baggage at the door, and a new definition for success in working with challenging populations.

Mathematics for Infants and Toddlers

Presenter:  Tracy Trautner, Extension Educator, MSU Extension

•Identify 5 math concepts that infants and toddlers should be exposed to in natural ways throughout the day.

•Explore ways to support early math learning for infants and toddlers.

•Learn about ways to develop an early appreciation for math in young children.

Safe and Responsive Learning Enviornments*

Julie Miller, Infant and Family Specialist, Saginaw Public Schools

Infants and toddlers need two teachers every day-- you and their environment. Did you know that infants and toddlers learn just as much from you as they do the environment in which they spend most of their time? Come to this session to learn how to make the most of your learning environment.

The Resilience Toolbox:  Building Tools for Resilience in Early Childhood

Presenter:  Danielle Melching, Child and Family Program Instructor, MSU Extension

Prolonged or intense stress can have lasting negative impacts in the development of young children.  Children with resilience are better able to manage this stress and work towards healthy and successful outcomes.  This workshop will help participants gain and understanding of how stress affects children and the importance of developing resilience to combat that stress, including specific strategies for building protective factors.  Stocking up your resilience toolbox empowers you to help children learn to manage the stressors in their lives and give them the skills, tools and know-how to deal with whatever life throws at them, an important role in the development of skills that will set children up for future academic success.

*Indicates Great Start to Quality Infant/Toddler Track.  Open to all Conference Participants.