Financial Wellness: How to Balance Spending and Saving (Option 1)
2024-10-10 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans: How to balance spending and saving
You do not need to have 3-6 months of income in an emergency savings account. Research shows that with just a few hundred dollars in savings you make stronger financial decisions. This cushion gives us security and allows our brains to relax which leads to healthier financial decisions.
At The Beans we set our Essential Savings objective at $2,500 and then move on to the next milestone. With $2500 in savings you are insulated from most economic shocks, meaning it’s enough to help you bounce back when something big comes up.
The order of operations is as important as the right-sizing goal. We suggest focusing on establishing your Essential Savings before trying to pay down debt. Once you do, your debt pay off will go even faster.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + the evidence-based principles proven to promote financial progress and reduce financial stress.
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: How to Balance Spending and Saving (Option 2)
2024-10-10 18:00 - 18:30

NHSA Closed: Indigenous Peoples Day
2024-10-14

Fueling the STEAM Engine with Music
2024-10-15 14:00 - 15:00
Program: Fueling the STEAM Engine with Music
Description: STEM is already on the rotation in early childhood classrooms, but have you considered STEAM? Elements within the Arts directly support skills learned and needed within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. “A” is truly the secret ingredient as the joy that happens in early shared music making helps the learning stick and ignites curiosity in STEM for years to come. From cause and effect, to critical thinking, to pattern recognition, this workshop focuses on how to implement music and movement-based activities with our littlest learners to fuel STEAM education.
Learning Objectives: As a result of this session, participants will be able to:

Understand the science behind how the Arts support the other four areas of STEM learning.
Identify why music is the ultimate “Arts” tool in STEAM-based learning.
Teach music-based activities that enhance STEAM-based learning.

Price:

Regular Rate: $75
NHSA Member Rate: $50

Fueling the STEAM Engine Presenter: Deanna Bucci, Director of Product Development for Kindermusik International
Deanna Bucci oversees the content creation for Kindermusik’s programs and curricula as well as professional development and product training. She has worked with and trained various organizations and educators across the United States, including presenting at national conferences for NAEYC and NHSA. Deanna holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of School Administration. She taught elementary general music (ages 3-8) for eight years in New Jersey before initially becoming a Curriculum Designer for Kindermusik in 2017. Through childcare, musical direction, and private music instruction, she has also taught and worked with children and adults of all ages over the last 15+ years.
Sponsored by: Kindermusik International

¡Potenciando las habilidades STEAM a través de la Música!
2024-10-17 14:00 - 15:00
POSTPONED
Programa: ¡Potenciando las habilidades STEAM a través de la Música!
Descripción: El enfoque STEM ya forma parte de las actividades en las aulas de educación infantil, pero ¿ha considerado integrar el enfoque STEAM? Los elementos de las Artes apoyan directamente las habilidades que se desarrollan en Ciencia, Tecnología, Ingeniería y Matemáticas. La “A” es, de hecho, el ingrediente secreto, ya que la alegría que surge al hacer música en grupo desde una edad temprana ayuda a que el aprendizaje perdure, y despierta la curiosidad por STEM durante muchos años. Desde la relación causa y efecto, pasando por el pensamiento crítico, hasta el reconocimiento de patrones, este taller se centra en cómo implementar actividades basadas en música y movimiento con los más pequeños para impulsar la educación STEAM.
Objetivos de aprendizaje: Al finalizar esta sesión, los participantes serán capaces de:

Comprender la base científica de cómo las Artes apoyan las otras cuatro áreas del aprendizaje STEM.
Identificar por qué la música es la herramienta más poderosa de las Artes en el aprendizaje basado en STEAM.
Enseñar actividades musicales que apoyen el aprendizaje STEAM.

Precio:

Tarifa regular: $75
Tarifa para miembros de la NHSA: $50

¡Potenciando las habilidades STEAM a través de la Música! Presentadora: Dra. Farida Peña, Entrenadora Bilingüe y Especialista en Currículo
La Dra. Farida Peña es Formadora Bilingüe, Especialista en Currículo, y miembro del equipo de Desarrollo de Productos de Kindermusik International. Posee un Doctorado en Medicina y una Maestría en Educación y Pedagogía Musical. Con más de 30 años de experiencia, y formada en diversos métodos musicales, incluidos MLT, Dalcroze, Orff, Kodály, Kindermusik y Dissimilis, Farida ha trabajado como educadora musical, oradora internacional, facilitadora de talleres, y profesora de piano, liderando capacitaciones en países como República Dominicana, México, Puerto Rico, Brasil y Estados Unidos.

Patrocinado por: Kindermusik International

Info Session: Parent Gauge + ParentPowered
2024-10-22 14:00 - 14:45
Program: Research-Based Family Engagement: Parent Gauge + ParentPowered Info Session
Description: Does your program struggle with implementing family engagement strategies that are targeted to the needs of your families? If so, we invite you to learn about a unique Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) solution: Parent Gauge family assessment and ParentPowered family engagement curriculum. Both are grounded in research and use data to drive decision making for your program.
Learning Objective: In this info session, you’ll see not only how each product can enhance your program’s PFCE efforts, but how you can maximize results when you use them together.
Parent Gauge + ParentPowered Info Session Presenters:

Sandy Oceguera is the Sr. Data Product Manager at NHSA. Her background includes 5 years in social services and 5 years in big data analytics lending her a unique perspective in utilizing and developing NHSA’s data products, including Parent Gauge, usefulness for the field. Sandy holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Colorado State University with a specialization in public and nonprofit management.

Felix Caballero, Before joining ParentPowered, Felix has spent more than a decade working with organizations that serve to improve the lives of children. In addition to his role as a member of the Illuminate sales team, he also spent 7 years in the classroom as a Spanish teacher and a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Beyond the world of education, Felix loves to engage with people in a variety of settings. He’s been known to lead kayak tours and DJ community events. He is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.
Sponsored by:

Marketing for Head Start Parent Engagement
2024-10-23 14:00 - 16:00
With our partners at Working Smarter Consulting, NHSA is hosting a live and virtual training session on Marketing for Head Start Parent Engagement. Working Smarter Consultants, with over 25 years of experience in Head Start and marketing, will guide you through innovative strategies tailored to increasing your market presence while driving new traffic and increasing engagement.
Marketing for Head Start Parent Engagement Description:Engage Head Start parents in vital program activities using successful strategies from programs nationwide.
Price:

Regular Rate: $325
NHSA Member Rate: $225

Learning Objectives:

Assess parent needs and individualize digital marketing strategies to communicate the benefits of each program year effectively.
Brainstorm diverse parent engagement plans, including events, socials, and shared resources.
Create 10 ways to increase attendance at Parent Committee Meetings.
Chance to collaborate and share and exchange ideas with similar programs.
Tips on how to use culturally relevant and appropriate messaging to reach the target audience

Presenters:
Gerald Washington, Chief Executive OfficerWith a longstanding history of taking brands and businesses to the next level of success, Gerald’s leadership, innovation, and business acumen will be sure to shock Head Start Programs. Prior to this venture, Gerald was the partner and president of Steve Harvey World Group, partner and president East 112th Street Productions, and president of the Steve Harvey Radio Network, where he led business development, production, and operations for all three companies. Gerald successfully secured major partnerships and endorsement deals with household names such as T-Mobile, Ford, State Farm, NBC, ABC, Fox and BET. He led the launch and growth of new business ventures with Match.com and Garrett’s Popcorn Shops, as well as the transformational coaching company Act Like a Success and Easy Bacon, Steve Harvey’s first food product. Through his leadership, the Steve Harvey World Group tripled in revenue and grew by 65 percent. It is this experience that makes Gerald an asset to any program working through contracts, contract negotiations, service, and lease agreements. Gerald has the uncanny ability to see the potential in staff that they don’t often see in themselves. He coaches people into leadership roles with ease. Gerald is ready to take your Head Start program to the next level. Kenna Pruitt, Chief Operating OfficerWith more than 13 years of Head Start experience, Kenna brings knowledge that is unmatched in the field/industry. She began her Head Start journey working as the Family and Community Partnerships Manager, for a large Head Start and Early Head Start program in Texas. This program served more than 1,500 children and families in 22 centers across Texas. This experience helped Kenna become well versed in data capturing, data analysis, processes and systems, leadership, management, supervision, and a deep understanding of all service areas. After working in a Head Start program, Kenna ventured out to the federal level. Working for DANYA, which, at the time, had a contract with the Office of Head Start, for Federal Reviews. Kenna’s time spent as a Content Area Lead for HSKI-C Reviews and Leadership, Governance, and Management Systems Reviews afforded her the opportunity to travel the country and visit Head Start programs in every shape and size. Kenna was able to see the complexities of a variety of programs, as well as, how programs attack and troubleshoot unique situations. It was at this point, that Kenna wanted to take the information she was learning from all these programs and share it with others. From here she went to work for ChildPlus Software, the data management system most used by Head Start programs. It was here, that Kenna was able to explore and dig into data. Understand how programs were and were not using it effectively. Her role as a ChildPlus Consultant fostered her skills in creating processes and policies, sharpened her abilities to find holes in data and create a plan to repair them, as well as, customize any training for varieties of staff. Starting Working Smarter Consulting, was a dream that would allow Head Start programs the ability to get training, coaching, and consulting from one place. Let’s Work Smart Together! Take advantage of this one-of-a-kind opportunity to revamp your marketing strategies with Working Smarter Consulting!

Parent Gauge 2.0: Elevating Head Start Programs to New Heights
2024-10-30 14:00 - 15:00
Program: Parent Gauge 2.0: Elevating Head Start Programs to New Heights
Description: Parent Gauge is a powerful resource that empowers Head Start programs to gain deeper insights into family engagement and child development.
Learning Objectives: In this webinar, you’ll discover how the revamped Parent Gauge assessment can take your program to new heights:

Explore the streamlined, user-friendly assessment experience
Learn how the enhanced data analytics uncover actionable insights to drive program improvements
Understand how to leverage Parent Gauge data to secure funding, enhance reporting, and demonstrate program impact
See real-world examples of Head Start programs using Parent Gauge to elevate their services

Whether you’re a seasoned Parent Gauge user or exploring the tool for the first time, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge to maximize the benefits of this transformative assessment solution.

Parent Gauge 2.0 Presenters: Sandy Oceguera and Lucricia Delgado

Sandy Oceguera is the Sr. Data Product Manager at NHSA. Her background includes 5 years in social services and 5 years in big data analytics lending her a unique perspective in utilizing and developing NHSA’s data products, including Parent Gauge, usefulness for the field. Sandy holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Colorado State University with a specialization in public and nonprofit management.

Lucricia Delgado has served as a Parent Gauge consultant for over two and a half years, helping programs maximize their parent, family, and community engagement initiatives. She finds fulfillment working directly alongside the Parent Gauge community to support these efforts.

Brought to you by:

NHSA Closed: Veterans Day
2024-11-11

Advocacy Webinar: Empowering Your Parent Council for Advocacy
2024-11-12 12:00 - 12:30
Program: Empowering Your Parent Council for Advocacy
Description: As you know, Head Start Policy Councils are composed of Head Start preschool and Early Head Start parents and community members. With parent members often joining after serving on a parent committee and community members taking a special interest in the broader benefits of Head Start, the members of your Policy Council are knowledgeable and well-positioned to advocate for your program–at the local, state, and federal levels. Policy Council members can be especially helpful in advocating at the federal level–reaching out directly, joining you when an elected official visits your program, or being part of your delegation to NHSA’s Fall or Winter Leadership Institutes.
Learning Objectives:

understand how to consider advocacy when seeking Policy Council members;
learn how to engage and empower your Policy Council for advocacy; and
hear what other programs are doing.

Can’t join us live? Sign up anyway, and the recording will be shared with you. You can enjoy the recording and resources at your convenience!
Empowering Your Parent Council for Advocacy Presenter:
Bob Bissen, Director of Government Affairs

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by LISTENING
2024-11-12 16:00 - 16:30
Webinar Series: Tackling Behaviors that Challenge Us
Program: Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by LISTENING
Description: All behavior is communication. Especially the behaviors that we adults find challenging. Now what can you do about it?
In this webinar series, our experts will share innovative approaches to building a trust-based classroom environment, which is the key to mitigating behaviors that challenge us. Learn practical strategies that will not only help you understand challenging interactions, they will significantly increase delightful interactions!
Join our experts as they share how to develop strong trust with the children in your care. You will learn:

how to use music and movement for joy, fun, and increased focus;
turn transitions into meaningful parts of your day;
how to inspire the desire to behave well;
and so much more!

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by LISTENING
Young children ask a LOT of questions. How many are you asking in return? Join us to learn how this teaching strategy can enhance every aspect of your classroom from how to walk in the hallway, play safely on the playground, sit in circle time, move during centers, speak to each other – everything!
LISTENING Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Hayes Greenfield is the founder of Creative Sound Play and the Greenfield Method. He is a professional musician and artist who has taught with the PNC Bank Grow Up Great Initiative, consulted at Bank Street Head Start and led professional development workshops and programs for the New York City Dept of Ed.

Garden Grant Info Session
2024-11-13 14:00 - 14:30
Program: Garden Grant Info Session
Description: Join us for this 30-minute webinar to learn more about the application requirements, and what a really strong application looks like. The presenters will walk through the application itself, talk about the award process, offer resources to help you plan your garden, share ideas for garden programs and answer any questions you may have about the grant or gardening with kids.
Apply for a the Garden Grant!
Garden Grant Info Session Presenter:
Sarah Pounders has been active in the field of youth gardening for over 20 years. Growing up surrounded by plants instilled a deep love of gardens and the desire to share that love with others. While working toward her master’s degree in Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University, she had the opportunity to serve as a school garden coordinator and conduct research on the benefits of using school garden programs to teach nutrition. She went on to work at various botanical gardens, for Cooperative Extension in Virginia and Texas, and since 2005 as an education specialist at KidsGardening.org, coordinating numerous children’s gardens, writing curricula and activities for youth of all ages, teaching formal and informal youth education programs, and conducting teacher training sessions on integrating gardens into the classroom. Sarah also enjoys gardening at home with her two kids and volunteering with their school gardening projects.
Sponsors:

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is deeply rooted in helping create healthier communities, empowering the next generation, and preserving our planet. Its support of the National Head Start Association includes providing GroMoreGood Garden grants, garden kits, educational curriculum, and garden training available to all Head Start programs with the goal of creating more edible gardens for young children and their families. The initiative also supports the creation of green space projects—land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation—as an option for children and the community to learn.

Preventive Solutions in Head Start: Enhancing Family Support
2024-11-13 14:00 - 15:30
Join CWLA and the National Head Start Association to explore how Head Start programs employ preventive strategies to support families and children. We’ll delve into effective connections with Head Start programs, the role of family services, and how collaborative efforts contribute to positive outcomes. Learn from successful examples of programs that excel in preventing issues before they arise and how their strategies can be applied more broadly.

2024 Fall Garden Storytime
2024-11-14 13:00 - 13:30
Program: 2024 Fall Garden Storytime
Description: In these LIVE storytimes, we will read wonderful garden-themed books with a social emotional focus and have a “show and tell” about interesting plants. Both teachers and students will love these interactive learning sessions! Let’s fall into gardening together! Join us to learn more about all the sizes and shapes that pumpkins can grow to be and the many ways this delicious food can be used during this time of year.

Story: Runaway Pumpkins by Teresa Bateman
Sing Along: Do You Know How Pumpkins Grow?

2024 Fall Garden Storytime Presenters:
Sarah Pounders has been active in the field of youth gardening for over 20 years. Growing up surrounded by plants instilled a deep love of gardens and the desire to share that love with others. While working toward her master’s degree in Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University, she had the opportunity to serve as a school garden coordinator and conduct research on the benefits of using school garden programs to teach nutrition. She went on to work at various botanical gardens, for Cooperative Extension in Virginia and Texas, and since 2005 as an education specialist at KidsGardening.org, coordinating numerous children’s gardens, writing curricula and activities for youth of all ages, teaching formal and informal youth education programs, and conducting teacher training sessions on integrating gardens into the classroom. Sarah also enjoys gardening at home with her two kids and volunteering with their school gardening projects.

Pinky Jackalope (she/her) is a Motivational Associate with NHSA. She loves to learn new things, and to share them with her Head Start and Early Head Start friends! Pinky’s favorite fruit is a banana, and her favorite vegetable is the snap pea. Pinky loves watching flowers and herbs grow in container gardens.

Sponsors:

The GroMoreGood initiative makes garden grants, garden kits, educational curriculum, and garden training available to all Head Start programs with the goal of creating more edible gardens for young children and their families. The initiative also supports the creation of green space projects—land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation—as an option for children and the community to learn.

Want even more? Check out our Gardening with Kids Basics course provided by The Academy.

Financial Wellness: Gratitude and Joy (Option 1)
2024-11-14 14:00 - 14:30
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans: Gratitude and Joy
When you spend on what gives you joy you actually get more utility per dollar.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + the evidence-based principles proven to promote financial progress and reduce financial stress.
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: Gratitude and Joy (Option 2)
2024-11-14 18:00 - 18:30

The Sound of Safety: Building Secure Bonds Through Shared Music Making
2024-11-19 14:00 - 15:00
Program: The Sound of Safety: Building Secure Bonds Through Shared Music Making
Description: Touch, eye contact, and talking are some of the most common early bonding tools parents and caregivers receive, but they may be missing out on one of the most powerful items in the toolbox—music. In this workshop, we’ll define what happens in the brains of both grownup and child when they make music together (newborns included!), specific musical activities that spark connection, and why shared music making is the ultimate way to communicate the safety children need to feed positive development in the first few years of life.
Learning Objectives: As a result of this session, participants will be able to:

Understand the biological and emotional power of shared music making.
Explain why shared music making experiences are so critical to families with young children
Demonstrate how to engage children and adults in a variety of shared music-making activities to increase personal and brain connections

Price:

Regular Rate: $75
NHSA Member Rate: $50

The Sound of Safety Presenter: Deanna Bucci, Director of Product Development for Kindermusik International
Deanna Bucci oversees the content creation for Kindermusik’s programs and curricula as well as professional development and product training. She has worked with and trained various organizations and educators across the United States, including presenting at national conferences for NAEYC and NHSA. Deanna holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of School Administration. She taught elementary general music (ages 3-8) for eight years in New Jersey before initially becoming a Curriculum Designer for Kindermusik in 2017. Through childcare, musical direction, and private music instruction, she has also taught and worked with children and adults of all ages over the last 15+ years.
Sponsored by: Kindermusik International

Versión en español: “El Sonido de la Seguridad: Forjando vínculos duraderos a través de la creación musical compartida”
2024-11-21 14:00 - 15:00
Programa: Versión en español: “El Sonido de la Seguridad: Forjando vínculos duraderos a través de la creación musical compartida”
Descripción: El contacto físico, el contacto visual y la comunicación son algunas de las herramientas más comunes que padres y cuidadores utilizan para el apego temprano. Sin embargo, pueden estar pasando por alto una de las herramientas más poderosas: ¡la música! En este taller, explicaremos qué ocurre en los cerebros tanto de los adultos como de los niños (incluyendo recién los nacidos) al hacer música juntos, las actividades musicales específicas que fomentan la conexión y por qué la creación musical compartida es el medio más eficaz para comunicar la seguridad que los niños necesitan para favorecer su desarrollo positivo en los primeros años de vida. Este seminario virtual se impartirá totalmente en español.
Objetivos de aprendizaje: Al finalizar esta sesión, los participantes serán capaces de:

Comprender el impacto biológico y emocional de la creación musical compartida.
Comprender por qué las experiencias de creación musical compartida son fundamentales para las familias con niños pequeños.
Involucrar a niños y adultos en diversas actividades de creación musical compartida para fortalecer las conexiones personales y neuronales.

Precio:
Tarifa regular: $75
Tarifa para miembros de la NHSA: $50
Versión en español: “El Sonido de la Seguridad: Forjando vínculos duraderos a través de la creación musical compartida” Presentadora: Dra. Farida Peña, Entrenadora Bilingüe y Especialista en Currículo
La Dra. Farida Peña es Formadora Bilingüe, Especialista en Currículo, y miembro del equipo de Desarrollo de Productos de Kindermusik International. Posee un Doctorado en Medicina y una Maestría en Educación y Pedagogía Musical.
Con más de 30 años de experiencia, y formada en diversos métodos musicales, incluidos MLT, Dalcroze, Orff, Kodály, Kindermusik y Dissimilis, Farida ha trabajado como educadora musical, oradora internacional, facilitadora de talleres, y profesora de piano, liderando capacitaciones en países como República Dominicana, México, Puerto Rico, Brasil y Estados Unidos.

Patrocinado por: Kindermusik International.

NHSA and The National Zoo Field Trips: 2024 – 2025
2024-12-05 14:00 - 14:30
Let’s visit NHSA and the National Zoo! This will be a delightful lesson designed to support Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) standards! NHSA and Zoo in the Classroom is a high-energy, interactive experience that include music and movement. It is designed to keep children active, engaged, and thriving.
Join the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (SNZCBI) and NHSA for four LIVE learning opportunities about Zoo animals, created specifically for Head Start and Early Head Start programs across the country!

Program 1: October 3, 2024 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET – (Beavers and Orangutans)
Program 2: December 5, 2024 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET (Lemurs and Sloth Bears)
Program 3: February 6, 2025 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Program 4: April 3, 2025 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET

NHSA and The National Zoo Presenters:

Emily Porter – Manager of Early Childhood and Family Learning Experience, SNZCBI
Bethany Wells – Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian Education and Program Coordinator, SNZCBI
Rachel Hutchison – Senior Associate, Instructional Practice Professional Programs, NHSA
Nick Young – Preschool Musician, PlayMotion Music
Smithsonian National Zoo Keepers
Guest presenters from other Smithsoninan institutions

Program of Excellence Informational Webinar
2024-12-11 14:00 - 15:00
Program: Program of Excellence Informational Webinar
Description: Have you heard of NHSA’s Program of Excellence designation? It is earned by programs that consistently demonstrate outstanding performance in program management and service and continually support robust outcomes for children birth-to-five, pregnant people, families, and the communities where they live.
To help you determine if now is the time to apply, we are hosting a Program of Excellence Informational Webinar for interested candidates to learn more about the program, ask questions, and hear from past awardees.
Learning Objectives:

Understand the Program of Excellence Designation: Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of what the NHSA’s Program of Excellence designation entails, including the criteria for earning the designation and the benefits it offers.
Evaluate Readiness for Application: Participants will learn how to assess their own program’s current performance and determine if it meets the standards required for applying to the Program of Excellence.
Learn from Past Awardees: Attendees will hear from past awardees about their experiences, best practices, and lessons learned during the application process, helping to identify key areas for program improvement.”

Program of Excellence Informational Webinar Presenters:

Kisha McCray, Senior Manager of Academy Resources
2024 Program of Excellence Winner

Financial Wellness: Holiday Survival Guide (Option 1)
2024-12-12 14:00 - 14:30
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans: Holiday Survival Guide
This holiday season make a list to gift without regret. Gifting is good. In fact, it is actually good for us. When we express or receive gratitude our brain releases the happy chemicals (dopamine and serotonin). Save money by making a list of everyone you want to buy a gift for this year.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + the evidence-based principles proven to promote financial progress and reduce financial stress.
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: Holiday Survival Guide (Option 2)
2024-12-12 18:00 - 18:30

Parent and Family Engagement Conference
2024-12-16 - 2024-12-20
Together We Thrive: Engaging Programs and Families for Children’s Success
NHSA’s annual Parent and Family Engagement Conference is the sole national event dedicated to enhancing the partnership between Head Start parents, families, and staff to foster family engagement and children’s development.
Attendees will have the opportunity to delve into a variety of new resources and innovative ideas on important topics in early childhood development. Partnering with families is a vital component of the Head Start program. You will discover new methods to engage with families, learn how to build strong relationships, and develop open lines of communication. Programs and families working together promote children’s success both at home and school.
Register Here!

2025 Winter Garden Storytime
2025-01-09 13:00 - 13:30
Program: 2025 Winter Garden Storytime
Description: In these LIVE storytimes, we will read wonderful garden-themed books with a social emotional focus and have a “show and tell” about interesting plants. Both teachers and students will love these interactive learning sessions! Even when snow is falling all around, the garden is full of life for us to observe and appreciate if we just know where to look! Come sing, read, and learn with us about the wonders of nature in winter.

Story: It’s Winter! by Linda Glaser
Sing Along: Winter Slumbers

2025 Winter Garden Storytime Presenters:
Sarah Pounders has been active in the field of youth gardening for over 20 years. Growing up surrounded by plants instilled a deep love of gardens and the desire to share that love with others. While working toward her master’s degree in Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University, she had the opportunity to serve as a school garden coordinator and conduct research on the benefits of using school garden programs to teach nutrition. She went on to work at various botanical gardens, for Cooperative Extension in Virginia and Texas, and since 2005 as an education specialist at KidsGardening.org, coordinating numerous children’s gardens, writing curricula and activities for youth of all ages, teaching formal and informal youth education programs, and conducting teacher training sessions on integrating gardens into the classroom. Sarah also enjoys gardening at home with her two kids and volunteering with their school gardening projects.

Pinky Jackalope (she/her) is a Motivational Associate with NHSA. She loves to learn new things, and to share them with her Head Start and Early Head Start friends! Pinky’s favorite fruit is a banana, and her favorite vegetable is the snap pea. Pinky loves watching flowers and herbs grow in container gardens.

Sponsors:

The GroMoreGood initiative makes garden grants, garden kits, educational curriculum, and garden training available to all Head Start programs with the goal of creating more edible gardens for young children and their families. The initiative also supports the creation of green space projects—land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation—as an option for children and the community to learn.

Want even more? Check out our Gardening with Kids Basics course provided by The Academy.

Financial Wellness: Goal Setting (Option 1)
2025-01-09 14:00 - 14:30
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans: Goal Setting
Get what you want this year! Dream big, be optimistic, write down your goal and how you will achieve it, and then give some advice about it to someone else.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + the evidence-based principles proven to promote financial progress and reduce financial stress.
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: Goal Setting (Option 2)
2025-01-09 18:00 - 18:30

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by Realizing Expectation
2025-01-14 16:00 - 16:30
Webinar Series: Tackling Behaviors that Challenge Us
Program: Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by RELEASING EXPECTATIONS
Description: All behavior is communication. Especially the behaviors that we adults find challenging. Now what can you do about it?
In this webinar series, our experts will share innovative approaches to building a trust-based classroom environment, which is the key to mitigating behaviors that challenge us. Learn practical strategies that will not only help you understand challenging interactions, they will significantly increase delightful interactions!
Join our experts as they share how to develop strong trust with the children in your care. You will learn:

how to use music and movement for joy, fun, and increased focus;
turn transitions into meaningful parts of your day;
how to inspire the desire to behave well;
and so much more!

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by RELEASING EXPECTATIONS
Fear-based or reward-based consequences are often used to communicate expectations. But in reality, they distract kids from really working on the skills they need to develop. Come learn how you can release your expectations and truly help kids learn the life skills they need to grow and thrive!
Releasing Expectation Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Ron Shuali, M.Ed. has been called the “Messiah of the Mind”, the “Behavior Master” and the “Bad Boy of Early Childhood.” His laughter filled keynotes, workshops and assemblies are always full of eye-opening experiences as audiences have multiple “Ah-HA!” moments. He is the creator of the internationally acclaimed Yogarate and Behavior Mastery systems. Ron holds a Master’s of Education specializing in Early Childhood, is a best-selling author, motivational speaker, and most importantly…He is funny. His background of martial arts, yoga, reiki, professional wrestling and improv creates hilarious and educational experiences focusing on mindfulness and connecting with fellow humans and their inner-child.

Enhancing Attunement with Music Rituals
2025-01-21 14:00 - 15:00
Program: Enhancing Attunement with Music Rituals
Description: Tricky transitions—like school drop-off, naptime, and handwashing—don’t have to be tricky. Music rituals help counteract stress responses and reduce anxiety by creating calm, setting expectations, and strengthening attunement.
Learning Objectives:

review the elements that trigger “shutdown” mode in young children,
why music transforms those responses faster than other solutions, and
how specific engaging activities can boost social-emotional development to maintain positive learning and home environments.

Price:

Regular Rate: $75
NHSA Member Rate: $50

Enhancing Attunement with Music Rituals Presenter: Deanna Bucci, Director of Product Development for Kindermusik International
Deanna Bucci oversees the content creation for Kindermusik’s programs and curricula as well as professional development and product training. She has worked with and trained various organizations and educators across the United States, including presenting at national conferences for NAEYC and NHSA. Deanna holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of School Administration. She taught elementary general music (ages 3-8) for eight years in New Jersey before initially becoming a Curriculum Designer for Kindermusik in 2017. Through childcare, musical direction, and private music instruction, she has also taught and worked with children and adults of all ages over the last 15+ years.
Sponsored by: Kindermusik International

Mental Health Micro-Credential Info Session
2025-01-22 16:00 - 16:30
Program: Mental Health Micro-Credential Info Session
Description: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) is widely regarded as the foundation of healthy development for all young children. This is why The Academy at NHSA created the Mental Health Micro-Credential, to help adults who work with young children understand how they can support and promote children’s mental health through safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and interactions.
Join us for this 30-minute info session, hosted by experts from Georgetown University who created the course.
Objectives: Attendees will learn

All about the course requirements and timeline
Valuable strategies for supporting young children
Who from your program should register for the course (hint: it’s more than one person!)

Mental Health Micro-Credential Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Jennifer Drake-Croft, MSSW, IECMH-E®, is the Deputy Project Director of the Infant and Early Childhood (IECMH) Technical Assistance Center at Georgetown University and a Faculty Director for the Georgetown Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Certificate Program. Her expertise includes Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, child trauma, child abuse prevention, and child-centered systems and policy. Jennifer’s personal and professional passion is to partner with communities and systems in advancing policies and practices that support all children to thrive.

Versión en español: Enhancing Attunement with Music Rituals
2025-01-23 14:00 - 15:00
Programa: Versión en español de Enhancing Attunement with Music Rituals (Rituales Musicales para Fomentar la Compenetración)
Descripción: Las transiciones difíciles, como la hora de dejar a los niños en la escuela, la hora de la siesta y el lavado de manos, no tienen por qué ser complicadas. Los rituales musicales ayudan a contrarrestar las respuestas al estrés y a reducir la ansiedad al generar calma, establecer expectativas y fomentar la compenetración
Objetivos de aprendizaje:

Revisar los elementos que desencadenan el modo de “apagado” en los niños pequeños.
Por qué la música transforma esas respuestas más rápidamente que otras soluciones, y
Cómo actividades específicas y atractivas pueden fomentar el desarrollo socioemocional para mantener entornos de aprendizaje y hogareños positivos.

Precio:
Tarifa regular: $75
Tarifa para miembros de la NHSA: $50
Presentadora: Dra. Farida Peña, Entrenadora Bilingüe y Especialista en Currículo
La Dra. Farida Peña es Formadora Bilingüe, Especialista en Currículo, y miembro del equipo de Desarrollo de Productos de Kindermusik International. Posee un Doctorado en Medicina y una Maestría en Educación y Pedagogía Musical.
Con más de 30 años de experiencia, y formada en diversos métodos musicales, incluidos MLT, Dalcroze, Orff, Kodály, Kindermusik y Dissimilis, Farida ha trabajado como educadora musical, oradora internacional, facilitadora de talleres, y profesora de piano, liderando capacitaciones en países como República Dominicana, México, Puerto Rico, Brasil y Estados Unidos.
Patrocinado por: Kindermusik International.
