Institute of Excellence in Early Care & Education

We are educators of the early childhood workforce whose teaching practices will make a difference in children's success. We are trainers, advisors, educators, and mentors. We are experts in the field of early childhood education.

All courses will be offered live online or face-to-face and are eligible for micro-credentialing.
Learn about our micro-credentialing initiative.

Adapt Lessons

Teaching Science in Centers – HEO0324
Contact Hours: 10
Language: English
Dates/Times: Tuesdays, 7/15 – 8/5
Required Textbook: None

In this course, participants explore how to use guided play to adapt science lessons for students. This course uses the GOLD Objectives and the Stages of Learning from Creative Curriculum to guide teachers in identifying developmentally appropriate science skills and hands-on learning opportunities. Built on the foundation of guided play as an essential component in early childhood classrooms, participants will engage in analyzing GOLD objectives, adapting lessons to meet the individual needs of children, and documenting growth and development.

Awareness and Balance Micro-Credential Pathway

Wellness of the Body – HEO0326
Contact Hours: 10
Language: Spanish
Dates/Times: Tuesdays, 7/8 – 7/29
Required Textbook: None

Los participantes explorarán hábitos de nutrición y sueño basados en investigaciones, ejercicio regular e imagen corporal saludable, y aprenderán cómo utilizarlos para crear una vida sana. También aprenderán a usar un lenguaje culturalmente sensible para entablar conversaciones con los niños sobre nutrición saludable, imagen corporal y señales corporales apropiadas.

The Science of Wellness: Practicing Mindfulness – HEO0303
Contact Hours: 10
Language: English
Dates/Times: Tuesdays, 6/5 – 6/12
Required Textbook: None

This course will provide an overview of what mindfulness is and how it can change your life. We will explore many types of Mindfulness Practices so that you will have a chance to discover how it can fit into your everyday life. Mindfulness transforms how we relate to events and experiences and will help your find focus for your day.

Classroom Assessment for Infants and Toddlers Micro-Credential Pathway

Infant CLASS: Responsive Caregiving – HEO0330
Contact Hours: 10
Language: Spanish
Dates/Times: Wednesdays, 7/10– 7/31
Required Textbook: None

Esta capacitación está diseñada para proporcionar a los profesionales de la educación infantil un conocimiento más profundo de la herramienta Infant CLASS. Los participantes comprenderán los procesos del aula utilizando las cuatro Dimensiones: Clima Relacional, Sensibilidad del Maestro, Exploración Facilitada y Apoyo al Lenguaje Temprano. Cada una de estas dimensiones se refiere a comportamientos específicos de enseñanza que ayudan a los niños a desarrollar relaciones cálidas y de apoyo, construir confianza con los cuidadores, aprender a través de la interacción física y verbal con los adultos, y desarrollar habilidades lingüísticas.

Classroom Assessment for PreK Micro-Credential Pathway

PreK CLASS: Classroom Organization – HEO0237
Contact Hours: 10
Language: Spanish
Dates/Times: Thursdays, 5/29 – 6/26 *No class 6/19
Required Textbook: None

La organización del aula puede afectar el comportamiento, la productividad y el aprendizaje de tus estudiantes. ¿Quieres descubrir cómo puedes gestionar la atención, el tiempo y el comportamiento de tus estudiantes en el aula? Echa un vistazo a esta capacitación para maestros de educación infantil, que se alinea con el confiable Dominio de Organización del Aula de CLASS.

Creativity Micro-Credential Pathway

Using Science and Literacy Manipulatives to Support Pre-Reading – HEO0312
Contact Hours: 5
Language: English
Dates/Times: Wednesdays, 5/28 – 6/4
Required Textbook: None

If you want to deepen your knowledge of what you learned in Integrating Investigation - STEAM and the Scientific Method, consider taking this training. You will learn many hands-on activities that will encourage children to think like scientists and create like artists. This training aligns with CLASS Domain Instructional Support and GOLD Assessment.

Our Artful Earth – HEO0246
Contact Hours: 12
Language: English
Dates/Times: Wednesdays, 6/25 – 7/23 *No class 7/2
Required Textbook: None

Nature provides the perfect opportunity to blend art and science together to teach about the beauty and exploration of our planet. Take this course if you are interested in incorporating STEAM activities related to the environment into your classroom.

Developing Self-Regulation Micro-Credential Pathway

Connected Moments with Infants and Toddlers – HEO0270
Contact Hours: 15
Language: English
Dates/Times: Wednesdays, 5/21 – 6/25
Required Textbook: None

The objective of this training is to enhance the quality of the relationship between infants and toddlers (0-3 years) and their caregivers by strengthening attachment, attunement, and social play. We will create these experiences through rituals and social games, both one-on-one and in a group setting, using dolls. Participants will also gain an understanding of how visual routines provide patterns and predictability, helping infants and toddlers feel safe and secure.

Creating a Peaceful Classroom Through Connections – HEO0269
Contact Hours: 10
Language: Spanish
Dates/Times: Thursdays, 6/26 – 7/24 *No class 7/3
Required Textbook:
Rituales Amorosos
Author: Dr. Becky A. Bailey
Publisher: Loving Guidance
ISBN #: 13: 978-0688161170

Esta capacitación está diseñada para brindar a los participantes una comprensión de cómo construir conexiones puede crear un aula pacífica y llena de amor.

Al finalizar la capacitación, los participantes contarán con un conjunto de rituales de conexión que podrán utilizar con los niños en su aula y con su propia familia. Establecer conexiones a través de rituales conducirá a un aula armoniosa. Este trabajo se basa en la labor de la Dra. Becky Bailey, Ph.D.

Creating a Peaceful Classroom Through Connections – HEO0269
Contact Hours: 10
Language: English
Dates/Times: Thursdays, 7/10 – 7/31
Required Textbook:
I Love You Rituals
Author: Dr. Becky A. Bailey
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
ISBN #: 0-688-16117-0

This training is designed to give participants an understanding of how building connections can create a peaceful and loving classroom. When the participant leaves this training, they will have a toolbox full of connection rituals to use with the children in their classroom and with their own family. Making connections through rituals will lead to a peaceful classroom. This work is based on the work of Dr. Becky Bailey PH.D.

Lesson Planning Micro-Credential Pathway

Enhancing Literacy Through Extension Activities – HEO0301
Contact Hours: 4
Language: Spanish
Dates/Times: Tuesdays, 6/10 – 6/17
Required Textbook: None

Los participantes serán introducidos a una variedad de libros de alta calidad y actividades de extensión de alfabetización que apoyan el desarrollo de las habilidades de alfabetización temprana de los niños. Los participantes crearán tableros de historias para ampliar los relatos que los niños ya han experimentado.

Nurturing Infants and Toddlers Micro-Credential Pathway

Supporting Development in Infants and Toddlers – HEO0331
Contact Hours: 10
Language: English
Dates/Times: Tuesdays, 5/27 – 6/17
Required Textbook: None

This course is designed to grow the participants’ abilities to engage with infants and toddlers effectively, focusing on the "Serve and Return" technique as a foundational approach to positive interactions that promote healthy brain architecture. Additionally, the course aims to equip participants with practical strategies to support infants and toddlers’ physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development and well-being by fostering nurturing, responsive relationships with children.

Problem-Solving Micro-Credential Pathway

Creative Scientists – Creativity and Problem-Solving – HEO0245
Contact Hours: 12
Language: English
Dates/Times: Wednesday, 5/21 – 6/18 *No class 6/11
Required Textbook: None

This course is designed to help preschool teachers discover methods to enhance children’s curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills through STEAM learning opportunities using the Investigation Method. Students will develop knowledge of and familiarity with foundational STEAM concepts to help them feel more confident in effectively facilitating Investigations.

Creative Scientists – Creativity and Problem-Solving – HEO0245
Contact Hours: 12
Language: Spanish
Dates/Times: Wednesdays, 7/16 – 8/6
Required Textbook: None

Este curso está diseñado para ayudar a los maestros de preescolar a descubrir métodos para potenciar la curiosidad, la creatividad y las habilidades de resolución de problemas de los niños a través de oportunidades de aprendizaje STEAM utilizando el Método de Investigación. Los estudiantes desarrollarán conocimientos y familiaridad con conceptos fundamentales de STEAM para ayudarles a sentirse más seguros al facilitar investigaciones de manera efectiva.

Other

Trauma-Informed Care for Child Care Directors – HEO0287
Contact Hours: 45
Language: English
Dates/Times: Wednesdays, 5/21 – 7/16
Required Textbook:
Reaching and Teaching Children Exposed to Trauma by Barbara Sorrels $24.95 ISBN?

DCF’s Trauma Informed Care Participant’s Guide (LADPac) $23.00 ISBN?

The goal of this course is to assist childcare program directors in implementing trauma-informed care for the families they serve.

This is a five-session course, which will require the completion of outside assignments and readings. Upon completion of this course, childcare program directors will form a community of practice and will be able to:

Recognize the signs of trauma impacting children
Examine the importance of self-care
Apply tools to help children regulate emotions and behaviors
Evaluate the physical learning environment for trauma-sensitive supports
Develop a plan for creating a trauma-sensitive program

This course can be used to meet the Florida Credential renewal requirements and can be used to obtain the Trauma-Informed Care for Child Care Program Director Credential Endorsement.