Professional Development Programs
From the beginning, Shady Lane has served as a model for other early childhood programs, through site visits, publications, conferences and collaborations. Since 2000, Shady Lane has expanded its reach by providing high-quality professional development and other support and consultation services to the professionals and programs that, in turn, educate and care for our area's youngest children.
Please see the listings below for upcoming professional development opportunities being offered by Shady Lane. Follow the links to register for these events through the Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys to Quality website (login required).
Our thanks to our partners in early childhood professional development: Point Park University; the Southwest Regional Key; and the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC).
Shady Lane Professional Development now on Third Floor!
A special note for attendees of professional development events at Shady Lane:
If you have attended a professional development event at Shady Lane in the past, please be aware that, effective January 2012, our Professional Development Room (PDR) is now located on the Third Floor, directly above its old location. You can still gain access using the buzzer marked “Professional Development Room” at our Penn Avenue entrance; simply use the elevator to go to the Third Floor and turn right off the elevator.
Talking & Talking (A 2-Part Series)
K5 C2 51
Instructor: Polly Lipkind
Location: Shady Lane
Two Thursdays:
March 15, 2012: Start Talking!
March 22, 2012: Let's Keep Talking!
1:00 - 4:00 PM both days; total 6 DPW and Act 48 Hours
This two part series will explore developing positive communication with families.
March 15: Initial communication between families and programs usually begins with a phone call from the parent/guardian to the facility. We will follow the progression of communication from that moment and develop processes to build on a positive communication continuum throughout the relationship between the family and the early care and education professionals.
March 22: The second part of the series will focus on daily communication between educators and parents. We will review a variety of newsletters, illustrate the use of photos, and discuss how email correspondence between early care and families can become a regular practice. Participants will develop processes and outlines for implementation at their sites.
This is a 2-part series. You must register for and attend both parts in order to receive credit. Your registration fee of $20 includes both sessions of the series. Please go to the PA Keys website to register for this series.
This program funded through the Southwest Regional Key and PAEYC.
Professionally Appropriate Practices
K6 C2 62
Instructor: Polly Lipkind
Location: Shady Lane
Thursday, March 29, 2012
1:00-4:00 p.m.
3 DPW Hours
This session begins with identifying and discussing the characteristics of Lilian Katz’s levels of staff development. We will use this information as a base for exploration of our personal and professional expansion. Participants will review ethical and professional practices with colleagues, families, and children. We will discuss more intentional scheduling for our own growth. Note: Advance preparation requires that participants bring to class up-to-date information about their professional development histories. Login to www.pakeys.org and print your professional development history before class.
Please go to the PA Keys website to register for this class.
This program funded through the Southwest Regional Key and PAEYC.
Book Studies Group: NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children
K3 C3 32
Instructors:
Polly Lipkind, Shady Lane
Patty Graff, Penn State Cooperative Extension
Special Location! Penn State Cooperative Extension, Suite E
Donohoe Center
214 Donohoe Rd.
Greensburg, PA 15601
Four Fridays:
April 13, 2012
April 27, 2012
May 4, 2012
May 18, 2012
1:30 - 4:30 PM each day; total 12 DPW and Act 48 Hours
Nurture Shock: New Thinking About Children
by Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman Information and discussion of timely topics, including:
- “Why Kids Lie”
- “The Search for Intelligent Life in Kindergarten”
- “The Lost Hour”
- and much more!
Participants will be expected to purchase or borrow a copy of the book in time to read Chapter 1, "The Inverse Power of Praise", for the first session. The book is available through Amazon.com and other booksellers.
This is a 4-part series. You must register for and attend all four parts in order to receive credit. Your registration fee of $20 includes all sessions of the series.
Please go to the PA Keys website to register for this class.
A Program of Shady Lane, in collaboration with Penn State Cooperative Extension.
This program funded through the Southwest Regional Key.
Cooking Without a Stove
K2 C1 19
Instructor: Polly Lipkind
Location: Shady Lane
Thursday, April 26, 2012
1:00-4:00 p.m.
3 DPW Hours
Cooking with children presents many opportunities for play, drama, and learning. We will explore recipes and develop possibilities for use in our own settings. During our cooking process we will identify the connection to science, math, language, social, physical, and emotional experiences produced by these activities.
Please go to the PA Keys website to register for this class.
This program funded through the Southwest Regional Key and PAEYC.
Child Care and Family Connections
K3 C2 32
Instructor: Polly Lipkind
Location: Shady Lane
Thursday, May 3, 2012
1:00-4:00 p.m.
3 DPW Hours
Partnering with families is more than enrolling their child in our programs. We will discuss the variations in parenting styles, review Ellen Galinsky’s Six Stages of Parenthood, and develop strategies for opportunities for families to become involved in their child’s early education. We will share information regarding successful parent meetings and planned family/child care events.
Please go to the PA Keys website to register for this class.
This program funded through the Southwest Regional Key and PAEYC.
Getting All Tied Up
K2 C2 19
Instructor: Polly Lipkind
Location: Shady Lane
Thursday, May 10, 2012
1:00-4:00 p.m.
3 DPW Hours
Creating sculptures with string, yarn, and glue, we will experience activities that support age-appropriate learning standards for preschool aged children. Our discussions will include when and how content knowledge can be identified. We will model pragmatic language to enhance children’s social development while working as a group.
Please go to the PA Keys website to register for this class.
This program funded through the Southwest Regional Key and PAEYC.
Shady Lane Professional Development Instructors
Click on these links to see profiles of Shady Lane's professional development instructors, including credentials and approved topic codes.
Lipkind PQAS Profile as of 12-27-2011
Capriotti PQAS Profile as of 12-27-2011
O'Neill PQAS Profile as of 12-27-2011
Herman PQAS Profile as of 12-27-2011
