Early Learning / Pre-K
What does a high-quality preschool program look like? What do impactful early childhood teachers do? What is the role of play in preschool? How can early learning be measured? Should my expectations be different for developmental preschool programs than for general education preschool programs?
These questions and more will be addressed in this full-day professional development session. Although designed especially for administrators and coaches of early childhood programs who don’t have a strong personal background in early learning, this session will benefit any administrator or coach who is seeking to enhance the quality of their preschool program.
The session will explore practical approaches for observing children and teachers to gain a deeper understanding of developmental progress, classroom dynamics, and instructional quality. Participants will learn what to look for in walk-through visits in preschool classrooms, as well as effective strategies to assess, support, and improve teaching practices through observation, coaching, and evaluation, regardless of the instrument utilized by the school and district for teacher evaluation.
In addition, we will focus on coaching strategies to foster reflective practice, improve teacher-student interactions, and create a supportive environment for continuous professional growth. Administrators and coaches will leave the session equipped with actionable strategies to provide ongoing guidance and support for preschool educators, fostering a high-quality learning experience for young children.
Intended Audience: Administrators and Instructional Coaches who are new to Early Childhood
If you are providing great content-related lessons, but your early childhood students are still lagging behind in achievement, students’ language deficits might be keeping them from benefiting from instruction.
In this professional development session, we will explore the critical role that oral language plays in shaping young children's overall learning experiences. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how language development influences cognitive, social, and academic growth and how it serves as the foundation for literacy skills and school readiness.
Through research-backed strategies and practical examples, we will discuss how oral language—such as vocabulary, sentence structure, and communication skills—supports not only literacy but also thinking and problem-solving abilities. The session will highlight the connection between oral language skills and later academic success and provide tools for fostering rich language environments in early childhood settings.
Key topics will include:
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The impact of early oral language skills on reading and writing development.
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Strategies to encourage meaningful verbal interactions with young children.
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Understanding how oral language supports critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
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The role of adult-child conversations in boosting language comprehension and vocabulary.
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Practical activities for promoting oral language in diverse settings, from the home to the classroom.
Participants will leave with a toolkit of evidence-based approaches that can be immediately implemented to help young learners build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Intended Audience: Administrators, Instructional Coaches, Teachers and Paraprofessionals working with Early Childhood Students (PreK-2nd Grade)
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What They're Saying
“INcompassing Education is very personable and cater to our needs and get to know our staff. They are in the know of what we are required to do in Indiana. Professional
development is easy to understand and differentiated for all staff. Fantastic resources are always shared.”
Deb Snedden,
Superintendent
"This was an awesome learning session. I am walking out of here with some practical ideas that I can use with ALL of my students tomorrow!"
Kim Piche,
Teacher
"This past year has been phenomenal. Our Specialist has a true talent for picking up on our individual/district needs while still expertly imparting the information intended for us. "
Diana Crawford,
Instructional Coach