Child Care University 2024

Child Care University supports child care practitioners in providing quality child care and advancing professional skills. Join us for this conference to learn and share ideas to enrich the quality of care you provide to the children and families in your programs.

CCU 2024 | Sauk Valley Community College | Dixon 

1.  An Invisible Epidemic: Trauma and the Brain
Dr. Anni Reinking, CEO/Lead Consultant, Reinking Education Consulting 
Come learn about how trauma impacts all parts of who we are- especially parts we can't see with the naked eye. Trauma impacts us starting before we are born. However, there are positive actions early childhood professionals can do to help heal our own trauma and trauma of the children we interact with. You'll learn how to focus on the positive with acknowledging the negative. 

2.  Fun on the Farm - Animal Agriculture
Katie Pratt,  Whiteside County Ag in the Classroom & Diane Baker, Whiteside County Ag in the Classroom
Does chocolate milk come from a brown cow? Is there a baby chick inside the eggs we buy at the store? Children are curious about the animals that live on farms and the food and fiber that they produce. Discover the truth behind the questions at this hands-on workshop featuring many of the free lessons and activities available from Ag in the Classroom.

3.  Keeping a Play-Based Childhood in a Screen-Based World.   
Dr. Elizabeth Cunningham & Dr. Kelly Flanagan, Clinical Psychologists, Florissa Pediatric Developmental Center
This session will provide current research and perspectives on the cultural changes resulting from increased technology use and decreased skill-building in the real world. We will review implications for providing childcare in our screen-based world to foster discussion, enable early childhood professionals' decision-making, and support collaboration with families. 

4.  Mindfulness in the Messy Moments 
Dr. Laura Gumbiner, Clinical Psychologist, Florissa Pediatric Developmental Center
Research supports the use of mindfulness as a successful strategy in educational and childcare settings, but what is it and how does it work? During this session you will learn about the science and practice of meditation. You will have several opportunities to practice various forms of mindfulness, as well as learn ways to teach mindfulness to the children with whom you work. Age-appropriate resources will be provided. 

1. Peek-A-Boo: Where is the Hidden Curriculum in your Learning Environment?
Dr. Anni Reinking, CEO/Lead Consultant, Reinking Education Consulting 
Come learn about what hidden curriculum is and how we find it in our learning settings. The focus of this work is equity and justice to make sure we are including all types of families through inclusive language, interactions, and literacy. 

2. Knowledge is key: Child Sexual Abuse, Grooming and Body Safety 
Kaela Jacobson, Prevention Educator, YWCA of the Sauk Valley  
In this session we will talk about recognizing the signs of child sexual abuse and the tactic of grooming utilized by perpetrators. We will look at statistics and what to do should you suspect this is happening to a child in your care. Presenters will also cover Body Safety, how to have age appropriate conversations with children about their body, consent and the Touching Rule. 

3. The Power of Observational Drawing: Meeting Children Where They Are 
Kendra Nenia, Higher Education and Workforce Development navigator. 4C & Dr. Melissa Clucas Walter, Associate Professor, NIU 
Observational drawing can be a powerful tool for teachers. This tool can be one of many ways to meet children where they are developmentally and build upon their existing knowledge in a variety of subjects. We'll look at how children show us what they know and how to build your curriculum to support children's development. 

Title:  A Joyous Way To Learn! Promote Readiness, Literacy, Math Development and Inclusion Through Active Music Play 

 Jim Gill, Musician and Author

Keynote Description:
Thirty-five years ago, Jim Gill picked up a banjo excited by the idea that music, apart from the joy it brings, is a great way to help young children learn. In this energizing session Jim shares examples of his award-winning songs and musical books that combine opportunities for active movement with word play and rhymes.  He also discusses: 
-How music play inspires young children not only to move, but to regulate their movements…..not only to sing, but to make connections between the words they sing and the printed word and world of numbers. 
-How music play can help create an inclusive environment for children with special needs and from all different backgrounds. 
Early childhood educators will leave the session inspired to celebrate with new songs and playful literacy activities.  Even more, they will leave the session thinking about new strategies to help children learn! 

Keynote Bio:
Jim Gill is a musician and author with singular credentials among children’s artists. Jim spent twenty years directing programs in music play for families with children with special needs in the Chicago area. His particular writing style—combining word play and movement opportunities into songs—was developed through this work. Jim completed his graduate studies in child development at the Erikson Institute of Chicago with a special emphasis on the study of play. His work experience and studies have led Jim to create each of his recordings and books as an opportunity for playful interactions between a child and a caring adult. Jim has released ten award-winning recordings of music play for young children. The songs are now available on all streaming platforms so that EVERYONE can have access to his ACTIVE musical games! Jim is also the author of two children’s books. Over the years he has received five awards from the American Library Association for his releases. Jim’s most recent project involves the creation of a series of VIDEO books, based on his book May There Always Be Sunshine, with words and illustrations contributed by children from across the country.  Thousands of children have shared their heartfelt wishes and inspiring illustrations in these projects created for schools, libraries and other community organizations.