professional development

Explore & More Professional Development Summer Series for Early Childhood Education Professionals

Calling all early childhood education professionals! 📣 Are you looking to build your Professional Development plan and take your skills to the next level? Look no further than our comprehensive course offerings. From STEAM Education to the Importance of Play, we’ve got everything you need to succeed. Start your journey today!

Cost: $25 per person per workshop
Time: 2:00PM – 4:00PM
Place: Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum

Spaces limited, register today!

Does Your Team Work?
Presented by Lisa Chrapowicz, Ed.M., Director of Strategic & Community Initiatives, Explore & More
July 14, 2023

  • Do employees in your organization freely share ideas, resources, and materials; or does everyone jealously guard their own turf?
  • Do employees care about each other’s success; or does the philosophy every person for themself prevail?
  • Do employees function as a knit team, or as an assemblage of individuals who happen to be in the same building?

This hands-on professional development workshop will provide:

  • Guidelines for effective communication
  • Techniques for development of teams that WORK
  • Development of action statements in order to accomplish team goals
  • A stress-free experience in the play spaces in the museum

Supporting Social Emotional Development in Preschool Children
Presented by Silvia Steele, MS Special Education, Access & Inclusion Specialist, Explore & More
July 21, 2023

This interactive course, intended for preschool educators, highlights the importance of supporting children’s developing social and emotional skills. Participants will be presented with specific approaches for teaching emotional literacy and friendship skills, as well as strategies to support preschoolers as they learn to manage “big feelings.” An emphasis will be placed on developmentally appropriate anti-bias practices and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Educators will participate in a make-and-take session to prepare materials to utilize in their own preschool settings.

STEM Foundation: Inspiring Little Scientists
Presented by Will Kawalec, Cultural Educator, Jackie Modrzynski, Lead Preschool and Art Educator, Val Drapeau, Program Coordinator, Explore & More
July 28, 2023

Young children are natural scientists but how can we help them see themselves as scientists? In this interactive workshop, we will explore what science skills look like in early learners, connect science identity research to practice and share fresh hands-on activities that can promote positive relationships with science in your center or classroom.

The Power of Play
Presented by Lisa Chrapowicz, Ed.M., Director of Strategic & Community Initiatives, Explore & More
August 4, 2023

  • Play is something fun and entertaining, but it is far more than that. Play is an extremely powerful force on child development – helping children learn important life skills such as problem-solving, negotiation and communication, creative and critical thinking, empathy, and emotional regulation. Join us for a hands-on workshop to explore some of these ways that play can help young children build the foundation for these essential life skills.

Something new is coming...Explore & More will be closed from 9/14-10/17 while we make updates & improvements.Learn More