WHSA 2025 Annual Conference

This course offers early childhood educators’ strategies to recognize stressors and explore ways to build resilience in both their personal and professional lives. Participants will reflect on techniques to enhance emotional well-being and consider practical approaches to finding balance and maintaining a positive outlook in their work. The training aims to support educators in navigating challenges with greater ease and promoting a healthier, more resilient mindset.

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Nature play doesn’t have to be limited to special outdoor schools. Every child deserves to have outdoor exploration in their day! We will get hands-on with Project Learning Tree’s “Trees & Me” curriculum, looking at fun and meaningful ways to bring little learners outside regardless of their location. We will also explore using natural materials for indoor learning. Participants (limit 25) will receive “Trees & Me” and will leave feeling prepared to add more nature play into their curriculum.

Please evaluate this session: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NVM2QZY

How can YoungStar, Wisconsin's child care quality rating and improvement system, evolve to better meet the needs of children and the adults who care for them in today's world? In this session we will share some of the early analysis from DCF's statewide campaign where we listened to the experiences, needs, and suggestions of providers, families, and early care and education partners. We will provide opportunity to expand on topics of interest, discuss next steps in the project, and share how to stay involved.

2024 Community Engagement Findings From Providers and Parents/Caregivers:
https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/5835.pdf
https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/5835s.pdf

Please evaluate this session: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GVJQXWT

Nature play doesn’t have to be limited to special outdoor schools. Every child deserves to have outdoor exploration in their day! We will get hands-on with Project Learning Tree’s “Trees & Me” curriculum, looking at fun and meaningful ways to bring little learners outside regardless of their location. We will also explore using natural materials for indoor learning. Participants (limit 25) will receive “Trees & Me” and will leave feeling prepared to add more nature play into their curriculum.

25 person max session
(Repeat from day 1)

Please evaluate this session: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NVM2QZY

Have you ever wondered how to address your Early Childhood special education students' unique early literacy skills? If so, this session is for you! Come join us and take part in this interactive learning session where you will learn some evidence-based teaching strategies designed to meet your students’ unique early literacy needs. This session will also introduce you to a variety of adaptations you can easily make and activities you can plan to increase participation and engagement.

Please evaluate this session: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XQR8WS6

Be present with children as they play! A child's living space is full of novel items that can be used creatively when the screens are put away.  Screens can limit a child's development, but a parent being present during play time can encourage language growth, social-emotional skills, and problem-solving abilities. Join us as we ditch the screens and revitalize old-fashioned, creative play!

We will discuss the ramifications of our society's reliance on screens.
Participants will learn about the impact of screentime on language learning, social-emotional development, problem solving skills, and more!

Participants will gain ideas and activities that encourage creative play through using household items.
We will collaborate with participants to empower parents to teach their child though play.

Please evaluate this session: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GCW8C6G