Typical Communication Development in the Early Years

This workshop aims to inform preschool teachers and support staff who work with children aged 0-6 about the normal development of children’s speech, language and social skills. It also aims to better equip staff with the skills needed to identify children whose communication skills are not developing in the typical way and to feel more confident in discussing concerns with parents or referring to  a Speech and Language Therapist. 

Early Identification and Intervention in the Classroom

The needs of students with learning disabilities often remain poorly understood despite the efforts of educators to provide more inclusive learning environments. Misconceptions surrounding the presentation and classification of symptoms can then become barriers to success for students and teachers alike. This workshop will arm teachers with a better understanding of a range of disorders and their symptoms commonly seen in students and shed light on the ways in which they impact student learning. Through exploring case studies and group discussions, teachers will reflect on the efficacy of the strategies they currently employ while also drawing on the wisdom of their colleagues to explore new classroom interventions for those students with special needs.

Dyslexia in the Classroom

Teaching literacy in classrooms that accommodate different learning needs is no simple task. However, adjusting a curriculum to play to the strengths of dyslexic students can have profound effects on learning outcomes and self-esteem. This workshop aims to equip teachers with a robust, contemporary definition of dyslexia and the implications of this definition. We will cover practical strategies for the classroom, the use of phonemic skills, syllabification, morphology, as well as important linguistic rules that should be taught.

Supporting Angry or Disobedient Children

Aggressive or disobedient behavior is always challenging for the teacher, child, classmates and parents. It is not an easy task to support and help an angry child while maintaining an optimal learning environment for the students. In this workshop, teachers will learn about defiance and anger and their triggers as well as receive practical advice on how to handle angry and disobedient behavior.  We will look at the various developmental milestones and offer tools for managing behavior from both a cognitive and language perspective.