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Breaking The Preschool to Prison Pipeline, Building The Preschool to Promise Pipeline

United 4 Children’s 2021 Fall Conference will focus on understanding the importance of children’s social emotional wellbeing. Our clock-hour approved training sessions will give you the skills you need to support children in the areas of social emotional language, trauma, and stress. Sessions will cover  subjects such as infant/toddler care, social-emotional wellbeing of children, healing and building relationships, fine and gross motor, the importance of healthy eating, and more.

Out of an abundance of caution, United 4 Children’s fall conference will be virtual again this year. You can join clock-hour approved training sessions from the comfort of your home!

The conference costs just $25 to attend and presents the opportunity for you to receive up to 17 clock hours.

 

What to Expect:

On Saturday Oct. 2, we will host a panel discussion from 9-11 a.m. Monday through Thursday (Oct. 4-7), there will be two training session options to choose from between 1 and 2 p.m., followed by a community partner spotlight from 2:15-2:45 pm. Then two more sessions to choose from between 6 and 8 p.m. On Friday, Oct. 8, we will have two training sessions between 1 and 2 p.m. with no evening session. Our keynote speaker will be from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday Oct. 9.

When you register for the conference, you are able to sign up to attend as many or as few sessions as you’d like. All sessions will be held via Zoom. You will receive Zoom links only for the sessions that you register to attend. We ask that you log on to Zoom a few minutes early to get settled and to alert our team to any technical issues that arise. All sessions are clock-hour approved.

 

Meet Our Keynote Speaker: Tango Walker-Jackson

On the surface Tango Walker-Jackson, M.Ed, B.S.Ed, is a program manager that effectively articulates a program’s strategy and objectives and assesses how it will impact a business. In her current role she oversees a list of dependent projects needed to reach the adult daycare’s program’s overall goals. Tango has been a classroom teacher, early childhood specialist, associate director, and a director of center operations. Tango has exemplary communication skills and works to ensure programs are providing fair and unbiased services.

Dig a bit deeper and you will discover that Tango is a servant leader, an early childhood practitioner, and a social justice advocate. She is a highly educated and knowledgeable trailblazer with experience teaching a diverse population of learners; young and seasoned. She is passionate, thinks outside the box, and encourages others to have necessary conversations to dismantle unjust systems. She has a thirst for promoting equitable experiences for all children and families. Tango has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Harris Stowe State University, a master’s degree in educational leadership (graduated Cum Laude) and is in her final semester of her doctoral program at the University of Missouri St. Louis. She is a certified parent educator, a Missouri certified B-3rd grade educator and a CDA PD specialist. In her most recent endeavor Tango has enjoyed being an independent contractor, with the Urban League, teaching an early childhood education initiative program for those interested in opening their own early childhood center.

Tango is an active community member. She is a part of The Ethic’s Project’s Mother2Mother speaker panel, a Bayer YMCA board member, committee member of the Ladue School District’s DEI and Curriculum and Instruction committees, Early Childhood Education Advisory Board Member with North/South County Technical High School. Tango recently became a Parent Advocate with a newly formed local organization called Bridge 2 Hope.

Tango was given both The Ambassador Andrew J. Young Award for Outstanding Ethics, Service, and Commitment to Family and Community award and the Outstanding Early Childhood Educator Award in 2018. She is a true champion for children and families.

Tango is married to Edwin Jackson. She is the mother of five children and the grandmother of three: Khalisia, Greyson and Jayci. Tango envisions for her grandchildren, and yours, a life of fairness and equity. In her spare time Tango enjoys playing Scrabble, coaching youth sports, spending time with family and friends and writing.

Join us on Saturday, October 9, 2021 to hear Tango’s keynote address.

 

Understanding the Social Emotional Wellbeing of Young Children
Oct. 2
9-11 a.m.
Our four panelists will discuss the social emotional wellbeing of children.
Meet our Panelists:
  • Julius B. Anthony
  • Rose Anderson-Rice
  • Gail Wulff
  • Melissa Neverls
Learning Through Play
Presenter: Brittany Mischeaux, United 4 Children PAQ Early Childhood Specialist
Oct. 4
1-2 p.m.
In this session participants will gain knowledge about the importance of children learning and developing through play. We know that young children learn by exploring the world around them with their senses. It is important for caregivers to plan activities that encourage exploration through play. This session will also explore ways to create a learning environment that is responsive to a wide range of needs and abilities.
What’s Wrong with What’s Wrong with you?
Presenter: Gina Watkins, Nine PBS Wittcoff Community Fellow
Oct. 4
1-2 p.m.
Participants will learn the effects of emotional trauma on student behaviors. We explore how to create a developmentally appropriate learning environment that decrease “challenging” behaviors. Participants will learn techniques to self-care and how to create a quiet corner that promotes self regulation.

 

Book, Breathing & Behavior
Presenter: Sheila C. Oliveri, Early Literacy & Curriculum Coordinator, Ready Readers
Oct. 4
6-8 p.m.
Make Storytime MAGIC with books, tips, and techniques to connect with your kids! Help children thrive sharing books about emotions, behaviors, and teamwork to build a classroom environment of empathy, respect, and support.
Addressing Stress and Trauma in Children
Presenter: Christy Pogue, United 4 Children Inclusion Specialist
Oct. 4
6-8 p.m.
Participants will be able to identify and describe the impact of trauma and stress on children. Participants will recognize the importance of relationships and resilience in young children that experience trauma or stress. Participants will understand signs and symptoms of stress and trauma in young children. Participants will understand strategies that support families and children to reduce the risk of stress or trauma.
Using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire- Social Emotional (2ASQ SE2) Screening 
Presenter: Brittney Wilson, United 4 Children PAQ Lead Outreach Specialist
Oct. 5
1-2 p.m.
Participants will become familiar with using the screening tool and learn how to interpret the results. This can be helpful when setting goals for children. It can also help in determining what specific strategies to use in your classroom.
Importance of Eating Healthy: Heathy Meals on a Budget
Presenter: United 4 Children’s Ann Cunningham, Christy Frazier, and Courtney Smith.
Oct. 5
1-2 p.m.
Participants will: Know and learn the nutrition needs for a child’s growth and development; Identify the 3 steps for healthy eating on a budget; and Identify 3 skills to plan meals and snacks ahead of time.
Promoting Social Emotional Competencies in Infants/Toddlers
Presenter: Lexi Blackwell, United 4 Children Inclusion Specialist
Oct. 5
6-8 p.m.
Participants will be able to define social emotional development and describe how it unfolds in the context of caregiving relationships; reflect on how culture (perceptions, beliefs, values) influences caregiving, parenting, and the social emotional development of infants and toddlers; and more.
Autism: Understanding the Spectrum
Presenter: Jill Smith, United 4 Children Inclusion Specialist
Oct. 5
6-8 p.m.
Participants will be able to: Define autism; Discuss characteristics common in children with autism; Understand how autism is diagnosed; Explain stimming and repetitive patterns; Understand the characteristics of families who have children on the autism spectrum. o Identify strategies to work with families who have children with autism; and Know how and when to make a referral.
Supporting Sensory Processing Needs in the Early Childhood Classroom
Presenter: Samantha Dugger, United 4 Children Inclusion Specialist
Oct. 6
1-2 p.m.
Participants will learn about typical sensory integration in children. Participants will identify basic behavioral ‘red flags’ for sensory processing disorder. Participants will begin to explore strategies to enhance the sensory integration of all children.
Trauma Awareness Training; Shifting Your Lens
Presenter: MacKenzie Grayson, Parents as Teachers
Oct. 6
1-2 p.m.
This training will help home visitors and early childhood educators shift their lens from “What’s wrong with them?” to “What happened to them?” In doing this, participants will be able to effectively reach the families that they serve and identify solutions that will make the work we do more equitable and impactful. This presentation will take a broad approach to understanding trauma and its impact on the families we all serve.

 

Kids Give It Back! It’s What They See and Hear from Others
Presenter: Tina Closson, Belle Center
Oct. 6
6-8 p.m.
 Our session will be interactive as well as instructional. We will share strategies, videos, concrete samples, and a focus on Whole Body Listening for all ages.
The science experience- Making science fun in the early childhood classroom
Presenter: Tara DeVore, United 4 Children Inclusion Specialist
Oct. 6
6-8 p.m.
Participants will engage in STEM experiments and demonstrations. Participants will increase their knowledge of the scientific process and how to implement it in the early childhood classroom. Participants will increase their ability to build meaningful connections/relationships and promote engagement through science.

 

Mindfulness and Yoga in the Early Childhood Classroom
Presenter: Gail Wulff, United 4 Children Director of Inclusion Services
Oct. 7
1-2 p.m.
Participants will understand how mindfulness and yoga practices can improve children’s social-emotional health. Participants will create an action plan to teach children mindfulness and yoga practices.
Supporting Social Emotional Skills with Infants and Toddlers
Presenter: Jennifer Saitz, United 4 Children ITSN
Oct. 7
1-2 p.m.
Children are not born with the ability to regulate emotions, control impulses, or show empathy for others. Children need responsive adults to co-regulate, model, and practice these skills as they mature in their development, and we can lay the foundation for these skills with our infants and toddlers!

 

Trauma Informed Strategies
Presenter: Becky Vogel, United 4 Children Inclusion Specialist
Oct. 7
6-8 p.m.
Participants will be able to identify the signs of trauma. Participants will understand the impact of trauma on child development. Participants will be able to identify strategies to provide trauma informed care.
 It’s Not About the Fruit Snacks
Presenter: Melissa Neverls, School Counselor
Oct. 7
6-8 p.m.
Challenging Behaviors are increasing in even our youngest of children. This training covers the what and the why of challenging behaviors so adults can effectively teach and respond when a child has demonstrated a pattern of challenging behaviors. All participants will leave the training with resources they can implement immediately within their setting as well as resources to support in collaborative problem solving for these behaviors.
Resilience in Trauma
Presenter: Gina Dattilo, United 4 Children Educare
Oct. 8
1-2 p.m.
The participants will explore trauma and how it affects humans. Trauma is going to happen, but what do we do with the children in our care to support them.
Exploring Einstein: The Adventures of Brain Development 
Presenter: Andrea Walton, United 4 Children Educare
Oct. 8
1-2 p.m.
Brain development begins before birth and expands into adulthood. As early childhood practitioners we work with children when the rate of brain development is at its peak. This workshop will explore brain development and give practical strategies for caregivers to use to support a child to reach their fullest potential.

 

Keynote Address with Tango Walker-Jackson,
M.Ed, B.S.Ed
Oct. 9
9-11 a.m.
On the surface Tango Walker-Jackson is a program manager that effectively articulates a program’s strategy and objectives and assesses how it will impact a business. In her current role she oversees a list of dependent projects needed to reach the adult daycare’s program’s overall goals. Tango has been a classroom teacher, early childhood specialist, associate director, and a director of center operations.