From October through April, MASN hosts a series of virtual professional development sessions tailored to front-line program staff, covering a range of relevant topics.
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Including children with disabilities in child and youth development programs can be very challenging, but nothing is more rewarding than witnessing a child make a friend, enjoy a game, or experience an accomplishment. This training is designed to help you explore your thoughts and feelings about disability inclusion, understand socially responsible language, and make a plan to overcome an inclusion barrier in your program.
6:00-7:30 p.m.
This session discusses how to have productive conversations with families. Learn how intentional conversations can build trust and help you gain a deeper understanding of the children in your care. Explore five key questions and practice how to use them in real conversations with families. This training will ask participants to focus on the essential question: How can we use intentional conversations to build trust with families and learn more about their child?
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Working with children and youth takes a certain amount of flexibility and thinking on your feet. Participants will learn about tangible tools that can be used to support children and youth with disabilities or behavioral challenges as well as those who may just be having a rough day. The training also introduces tools you can use when you feel stuck, and programming isn’t going as planned. This training will ask participants to focus on the essential question: How can we support children/youth during challenging times throughout the day?
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Children use behavior. Providers are challenged by behavior. This training will introduce the KIT Behavior Thermometer to help participants distinguish between typical, challenging, concerning, and unsafe behavior. Then participants will learn about steps they can use to deescalate an unsafe situation. This training will ask participants to focus on the essential question: How can knowing different behavior types help us respond better and support all children?