University of Wisconsin - Stout

Preconference Workshops

Thursday, April 24, 2008 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Developmentally Appropriate Guidance for Young Children
Dr. Dan GartellDr. Dan Gartrell, Professor
Bemidji State University
Dan leads this session on principles of “Developmentally Appropriate Guidance of Young Children,” based on the Guidebook of the Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children.  Videos, small and large group discussions, and presentations utilizing classroom anecdotes are all part of the training.  Some of the anecdotes used first appeared in Dan’s Young Children column, “Guidance Matters.”

The principles are: 

One:  The teacher uses guidance to teach children democratic life skills: life-long skills related to the management of emotions, intelligent and ethical decisions making, and positive social-relations.

Two:  The teacher seeks to understand the reasons for children’s conflicts—mistaken behaviors due to experimentation, the influence of others, or deep unmet needs.

Three:  The teacher builds an encouraging classroom through positive relationships with each child, building community with the group, partnerships with fellow staff and families, and developmentally appropriate curriculum and teaching.

Four:  The teacher maintains the encouraging classroom by regarding classroom conflicts as teaching opportunities and utilizing guidance interventions such as guidance talks, conflict mediation, class meetings, and crisis management techniques.

Five:  The teacher relies on comprehensive guidance when children show serious mistaken behavior, collaborating with others to achieve what s/he cannot accomplish alone.

Six:  The teacher functions as a professional rather than a technician and learns even while s/he teaches, utilizing a support system to assist with social problem solving.

Dan Gartrell is a former sixth grade teacher in Ohio and Head Start teacher for the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe in northern Minnesota. During the 1970s, Dan completed his Masters degree at Bemidji State University where he was a CDA advisor for the Child Development Trainnig Program. Dan received his Doctor of Education Degree from the University of North Dakota in 1977. For many years, Dan has been director of the Child Development Trainnig Program and professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education at Bemidji State University in Northern Minnesota.
Dan has written eight pieces that have appeared in Young Children (the Journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children). In November of 2005, he began a column for Young Children, titled "Guidance Matters." Dan is the author of three books: A Guidance Approach for the Encouraging Classroom (New 4th edition now out, Thomson/Delmar Learning), The Power of Guidance (Delmar/NAEYC, 2004), What the Kids Said Today (2000, Redleaf Press).
He has presented over 300 workshops, keynotes, and trainings in many states, Germany, and Mexico. Dan is a member of a blended family that includes wire, Dr. Julie Jochum, five children aged 29 to 41, and eleven grand children.

Dan Gartrell will be referencing, "Developmentally Appropriate Guidance of Young Children" during his presentation. It is suggested that you purchase the booklet for $5.00 by going to http://www.mnaeyc.org/resources/index.htm or calling MnAEYC directly at 651-646-8689.

Great Hall, Memorial Student Center

Best Practice: Understanding and Working with Contemporary Families
Dr. Kevin Doll, Assistant Professor
Dr. Susan Wolfgram, Assistant Professor
This full day session will focus on best practice models for understanding and working with contemporary families in relation to early childhood educators.  Presenters will address the following components: 1) Family Systems Theory as a framework for understanding dynamics, 2) coping with family stress, 3) Communication with difficult families, 4) Multicultural families, and 5) Sexual minority families.  They will conclude with an open round table addressing participants' experiences and issues in their daily practice.

Northwoods Room, Memorial Student Center

Susan Wolfgram - Susan Wolfgram received a B.S. in Human Relations & Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco, a Bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, an MSSW from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her Ph.D. in Human Development & Family Studies from the University of Minnesota. After 15 years of full time employment as an individual, couples, and family psychotherapist with Mayo Health Systems, Luther Behavioral Health campus in Eau Claire, Susan arrived at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2005 (she had been teaching as an adjunct in the department since 2000). Dr. Wolfgram teaches in both the graduate and undergraduate Human Development and Family Studies programs. During her time at UW-Stout she has earned a UW-Stout Outstanding Teacher award in 2006 as well as the College of Human Development Outstanding Teacher award in 2007. Dr. Wolfgram serves on a number of university committees and is actively committed to diversity efforts across campus and in the community. Her teaching is within an action learning framework and she has given presentations locally and nationally on the 21st century student benefits of action learning and social justice. Married in 1978, she and her spouse have one son and enjoy regular travel.

Kevin Doll - Dr. Doll has been a faculty member of UW-Stout for 4 years. His research focuses primarily on the development of intimacy and changes to intimate relationships throughout the lifecycle. He has a master's degree in marital and family therapy and a ph.d. in family studies.

Magical Toddlers:  Creative Activities and Strategies for Promoting Toddler Development
Ms. Kathy Preusse, Instructional Specialist
Ms. Jamie Lynch, Instructional Specialist
Child & Family Study Center
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Experienced UW-Stout lab teachers, Kathy Preusse and Jamie Lynch, will share developmentally appropriate ideas pertaining to toddler education.  They will open their magic bag full of tried and true ways to make your toddler classroom come alive! 

Topics include:

A make and take session will be part of this presentation.  Create three teaching tools that can be added to your magic bag.

Together we will have fun creating a rooster hat for children to wear, transition song bag, and a friendship  garden.

Please bring:  A pair of sharp scissors plus--

Participants will leave with an overflowing bag of new ideas that will meet the needs, interests and abilities of those magical toddlers!

Huffs, Memorial Student Center

Jamie Lynch has a M.S. in Education, B.S. in Early Childhood Education, and a B.S. in Child Development Family Life, all from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.  She is an instructional specialist in the Infant/Toddler Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.  She belongs to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  She was a co-author of the Moozie Kindness Curriculum. Jamie has presented locally, regionally, and nationally as well as consulted for Jonti-Craft Early Learning, Children’s Kindness Network, and High Reach Learning.

Kathy Preusse has a M.S. in Education and a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, both from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.  She is an instructional specialist in the Infant/Toddler Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.  She has published articles entitled Fostering Prosocial Behavior in Young Children and Guidance & Discipline Strategies for Young Children: Time Out is Out.  Kathy is a member of National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). She was a co-author of the Moozie Kindness Curriculum. She has presented locally, regionally, and nationally as well as consulted for Jonti-Craft Early Learning, Children’s Kindness Network, and High Reach Learning.

 

Creating High Quality Learning Environments
Mrs. Heidi Anderson, Instructional Specialist
Child & Family Student Center
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Children learn best when they experience hands-on engaging interactions with real objects and are taught by knowledgeable teachers. This all-day session provides an opportunity for you to learn from a model teacher who has a rich curriculum background and hundreds of practical ideas. Heidi will share with you a multitude of ways you can intentionally support learning and healthy development, including practical strategies for assessing growth and promoting development. Tips will also be shared for designing developmentally appropriate themes. New ideas for dramatic play, music, science, math, sensory and storytelling will be introduced. Also, intriguing teacher-made materials, including environmental aids and documentation, will be shown to make your classroom come alive.

Heidi Anderson - Heidi Anderson has a B.S. in Elementary Education with a

minor in Early Childhood from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She has completed coursework in the master's in Education program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She has been an Instructional Specialist at the UW-Stout Child and Family Study Center preschool for the past nine years. She serves as a mentor to student teachers in the Early Childhood program and is a lab instructor for students taking Developmentally Appropriate Practices in preschool. Heidi has presented locally, regionally, and nationally and is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Cedar/Maple/Oakwood Room, Memorial Student Center