Workshops for parents, child care providers, PreK-2 teachers and other educators, are offered by PBS eight to enhance the ability of young children in our community to be ready for formal learning by the time they begin the first year of school.

 

Because Ready To Learn services in each Northland community, reflect the special needs and circumstances of that community, PBS eight offers a variety of workshops. These range from child development workshops to those focusing on a particular PBS KIDS program or theme such as literacy development or conflict resolution.

Super WHY!
This workshop focuses on extending preschool literacy activities with interactive viewing of  the SUPER WHY! educational PBS eight program, children’s books, WEB resources, and hands on activities, that encourage literacy development in young children. Participants will discover new ways to make reading an adventure with the four best friends who anchor each episode: Wonder Red with Word Power, Alpha Pig with Alphabet Power, Princess Presto with Spelling Power, and Super Why with the Power to Read! During this workshop adult educators and parents will transform themselves from mere mortals into literacy-powered super reader heroes that will promote literacy skills in their own settings! Each workshop participant will receive curriculum guides, activity books and reproducible handouts.

 
A LOVE OF READING;
The Methods Behind The Magic

“A love of learning has a lot to do with learning that we’re loved.”

---Fred Rogers

This presentation demonstrates how much educators and parents influence literacy when they build a caring, nurturing relationship –and offer ordinary, everyday experiences that can make children want to learn to read and write. During this presentation we will focus on the kinds of experiences that help children develop a positive attitude about literacy. We will explore insights and strategies into emergent literacy in three areas: spoken language, reading, and writing. 

The Let's Explore!
Encouraging Curiosity in Young Children 
This workshop focuses on helping educators and parents feel comfortable with children’s curiosity and to value it; to recognize curiosity in infants, toddlers and preschoolers, and to develop strategies for encouraging that curiosity in both girls and boys. Participants will discover that science is a process, a way of looking at the world to understand how it works. (Infant, Preschool to six years old.) 

It’s A Big, Big World
The guiding educational principle of It's a Big Big World is that science isn’t a bunch of facts, it’s a process of discovery! During this workshop, participants will discover new and inventive ways to incorporate science and discovery into the lives of children using hands-on activities, children’s literature, and the educational program It’s A Big, Big World. Each participant will receive: an Exploring Our Big, Big World three ring binder full of  handouts and exciting new science ideas for children. (2-6 years) 

Between The Lions
The doors “between the lions” swing open to reveal a magical place where characters pop off the pages of books, vowels sing, and words take on a life of their own. During this workshop, participants will develop fun, hands-on-ways to motivate children to read and write. The goals of this workshop curriculum are:

--To show participants ways to model reading, writing, speaking, and listening behaviors that are vital literacy acquisition.

--To introduce participants to the foundational skills that enable literacy acquisition;

--To acquaint participants with a wide variety of discourse styles and text structures found in stories, letters, newspaper, magazine articles, poetry, plays, songs, and more.   Participants will receive a three ring binder full of resources from Between The Lions.(Preschool to school age) 

Who Is My Child? Understanding Children’s Temperaments
This workshop is an in-depth exploration of the nine basic traits of human temperament and how these traits can be appreciated and nurtured to help each child reach his or her full potential. Because temperament is a set of inborn traits, understanding each child’s unique temperament will help adults understand how he or she learns best and provide learning tools to last a lifetime. The video features a look into the lives of diverse families, all striving to give children the greatest opportunities to grow to their fullest potential.  Child development expert Dr. Bruce Perry provides critical insights about children’s temperaments . Participants will receive a three ring binder with helpful insights and tips on how to guide and encourage each temperament type. This workshop is designed as a resource for parents, caregivers and teachers to help prepare children to be emotionally healthy for life. Each workshop participant will receive curriculum guides, activity books and reproducible handout.s (all ages) 

Mister Rogers’ “What Do You Do With The Mad That You Feel?”
This 2-hour workshop uses a variety of activities to help parents and caregivers explore different approaches to helping children deal with their anger.  During this workshop participants will develop a better understanding of children’s emotional stages of development and techniques that will guide and support children as they develop self-control. (Time can be shortened depending on the needs of the workshop) Each workshop participant will receive curriculum guides, activity books and reproducible handouts. (Infant to 6 years) 

Sesame Street
Preschool Education Program
Sesame Street helps children use their imagination and creativity as well as, their cooperation, listening and thinking skills. Global Grover and Kermit the Frog help participants develop great ways to incorporate the ABC’s   and cultural awareness into their daily lessons.  This 90-minute workshop is designed with the busy parents and early childhood educators in mind. Each workshop participant will receive curriculum guides, activity books and reproducible handouts. (infant to 6 years) 

Dragon Tales
In Dragon Land, a colorful and magical place, the children and the dragons overcome obstacles, face fears and learn new strategies for dealing with the challenges they encounter in a supportive, nurturing environment.  During this 90-minute workshop, participants will have fun developing hands-on techniques that will help guide young children to pursue challenging experiences that will promote growth and development. Each workshop participant will receive curriculum guides, activity books and reproducible handouts. (2 to 6 years) 

Clifford The Big Red Dog
While Clifford and his friends take a fun-filled journey through childhood, their adventures help young children learn to navigate their world. During this 90-minute workshop, participants will be involved in fun and creative teaching techniques that reinforce “Clifford’s Big Ideas”,  life lessons that include: Share, Play Fair, Have Respect, Work Together, Be Responsible, Be Truthful, Be Kind, Believe in Yourself, Be a Good Friend, and Help Others. Each workshop participant will receive curriculum guides, activity books and reproducible handouts. (Preschool to 6) 

Math is Everywhere with Reading Rainbow
Math is so embedded in our everyday lives that it appears in the lives of story characters, as well. Such sharing of ideas offers the potential for building a community of thinkers and problem solvers.  This 2-hour workshop will give adults a variety of ways of teaching mathematics through the use of stories and everyday experiences. (Time can be shortened depending on the needs of the workshop) (Preschool to eight years) Each workshop participant will receive curriculum guides, activity books and reproducible handouts. 

ZOOMSci
ZOOMSci activities are interactive, hands-on, and, most of all, fun.  ZOOM models and teaches science and math in a unique, completely kid-centered way.  During this workshop participants will examine activities for children that will promote behaviors such as being curious, pursuing ideas, and looking for multiple solutions. (90 minutes) Each workshop participant will receive curriculum guides, activity books and reproducible handouts 

Tragic Times, Healing Words Helping Children Cope
By Sesame Workshop Education and Research
During this 90-minute workshop, participants will explore ways to help young children learn healthy ways to cope with traumatic events that may occur in their lives. Demonstrations using children’s stories, and hands-on activities and video clips, from Reading Rainbow, Sesame Street, and Zoom will be used to support the curriculum. Each workshop participant will receive curriculum guides, activity books and reproducible handouts. (Preschool to school age)

Caillou
Caillou is a wide-eyed four-year-old who learns about life– one adventure at a time. Caillou helps children sort out their world as he sorts out his own. During this 90-minute workshop adults will learn ideas that will help foster children’s development in many ways. Themes include: growing up, sibling relations, making and keeping friends, taking care of pets, feeling sick, and other subjects that preschoolers discover, try, learn or do everyday. (2 to 6 years)

Arthur’s Music Jamboree
Developed with a team of early childhood educators and curriculum specialists, uses the ARTHUR series as a springboard for a variety of music activities. The activities, games, songs, and crafts, geared for teachers and caregivers of children ages 3–5, provide fun and exciting ways to integrate music into your classroom. During this 90 minute workshop, participants will hear simple, fun and interactive ways to bring music experiences into the lives of children using hands on materials, video clips, and children’s stories.  Each participant will receive an Arthur Music Jamboree Activity Guide, books, posters, stickers and more! (Preschool to eight years)