Infant/Toddler Conference – Making Teaching Easier Through Connection, Regulation and Structure

• Saturday, May 30, 2026
• 9 am- 3:00pm
• 6 hours of training credit
• Chamber of Commerce – Genecov room
• $60
• Hot Lunch

Come join Champions staff for a fun-filled morning exploring activities to help infants and toddlers work together well.  For early educators of Infant/Toddler children only.

Class 1: Designing Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers

Presented by:  Amber Welguisz, M.Ed. ECE Professor

Are you new to working with infants and toddlers, or wondering how on earth to “teach” babies who can’t sit still at a table? Skip the rigid lesson plans and join us for a fun, hands-on workshop where we’ll show you how everyday moments—like diapering, feeding, and playtime—are actually your best teaching tools. After this training you will walk away with low-stress, real-world tricks to build a classroom environment where both you and your littles can thrive!

Class 2: It’s All about the Process!

Presented by Venice Ray, B.S., CDA

In this interactive training, I will guide educators in understanding the importance of the Process as a powerful way for children to express themselves through music, movement, building, and play. From an early age, children naturally explore sounds, colors, objects, and textures, and I will demonstrate how to nurture that curiosity in meaningful ways. Participants will gain practical ideas and hands-on craft experiences they can immediately implement in their classrooms to encourage imagination and creativity through drawing, movement, and music. I will also share strategies for incorporating natural, child-led processes that support essential skills for learning, development, and emotional well-being. This session is designed to be engaging and participatory, allowing teachers to actively experience the same creative approaches they can use with children.

Class 3: It All Begins With Infants and Toddlers

Presented by  Kristin Omo, BS, EIS-FQ

This workshop presents information about early brain development, bonding, attachment and stress in infants and toddlers. What you do in the classroom affects how children’s brains will develop. Learn about the vital impact nature and nurture has on brain development. This workshop presents the latest information on the best practices to promote brain and cognitive development in children to maximize their learning potential.