Workshop Sneak Peek!
Workshop Descriptions
Saturday
9:30- 10:45
Ask Away! A Nanny Agency Panel Discussion
with Lorna Spencer of A Choice Nanny, Barbara Kline of White House Nannies, and Marta Perrone Household hiring expert
Workshop sponsored By Nanny Biz Reviews
Do you want to know what parents are really looking for when searching for a nanny? Ever wonder how you are screened before being placed with a family? Never use and agency because you weren’t sure of the benefits? This candid discussion allows you to ask some of the top names in the nanny business all your questions. The discussion will feature information on matching with a family, what it takes to score a high paying job, what to look for in an agency and more.
Learning all about Learning Styles
With Joy Lesnick, Ph.D.
How do we learn best? More importantly, how can we help our kids learn more effectively and with less frustration? Knowing a little about learning styles and how to identify them in your kids can help! In this session, we will discuss the three basic learning styles - visual, auditory, and kinesthetic - and how your approach can help kids engage more effectively. We'll also spend some time sharing ideas about how to modify lessons or homework to meet the needs of different learners.
Joy Lesnick, Ph.D. is a former fourth grade inclusion teacher who did her dissertation research on the effectiveness of a books-on-tape reading program for struggling readers. She has experience teaching children and adults, as well as designing, conducting, and evaluating research in a variety of educational settings.
The Over Programmed Child: Making Time To Play
with Carolynn Stulberg of the Alexandria School
Play is essential to a child’s cognitive, emotional and social development. A variety of factors have decreased time allowed for play from increased time in organized sports, enrichment activities and academic focused preschools. Researched based evidence on the value of play will be highlighted.
Alexandria School was founded in 2007 by Carolyn Stulberg, BSN, CCE, based on her passion for the highest quality in-home child care. With over 30 years of experience in child care education, Carolyn has worked in the pediatric wards and neonatal intensive care units of hospitals, taught prenatal, postnatal, parenting, grandparent- ing and breastfeeding classes, developed her own courses for creative play and current concepts in infant care, and is a mother of four herself.
11:00 to 12:15
Shake Your Booty! (Getting Your Charges Fit Through Music and Movement)
with Cindy Wilkinson
http://www.jumpinwithcindy.com
Participants will learn some great activities to get their charges off the couch, away from their gameboy, and up and moving!! We will integrate movement with both music and art, promoting fitness while also fostering creativity. This is a hands-on workshop in which participants will learn how to create their own clogging board and then try some dancing moves themselves, while also experimenting with the Jackson Pollack technique of painting. There will be lots of hand-outs shared with additional resources for great CDS, informative websites, and more cool activities for kids.
Cindy Wilkinson has a BA degree in Sociology and Early Childhood Education from the University of Nebraska/Kearney and additional training from St. Nicholas Montessori Training Centre (correspondence course). In Colorado,she holds a Director’s Certification and has worked as a teacher, assistant director of a pre-school, and as the Master Teacher at the Metropolitan State College of Denver Child Development Center. Her nanny experience spans over 33 years and consists of live-in, live-out, shared, and vacation nanny positions. She has also taught music with numerous pre-schools, elementary schools, and arts organizations. In 2001, she created Jumpin’ With Cindy where she markets her children’s CDs, workshops, children’s music classes, and performances. In 2009, she created her Jumpin’ With Cindy Music Blog to share the latest info on arts education with parents, nannies, and educators. She has presented at INA, Nannypalooza, University of Nebraska/Kearney Nanny Day, Colorado AEYC, New England AEYC, ABC Nannies Nanny Conference, and Geo Kids Teacher Training in Menlo Park, CA. She also was honored by Helping Hands in Greenwich, CT with their Service Award in 1992 and by the International Nanny Association with their Nanny of the Year Award in 1998.
Tantrums: The What, Why, and How of Addressing Problem Behaviors with Early Learners: A Behavior Analytic approach
with Maureen Rushton, BCaBA
Workshop sponsored by Parents in a Pinch, Inc.
Are you tired of giving the same consequences or having the same talks with your child, only to see no change in behavior? Do you feel like you are walking on eggshells when you take your child to the grocery store or to a playdate, praying that a tantrum does not erupt? Understanding and dealing with your child's tantrums and other problematic behaviors can be overwhelming. Learn how the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis can increase your chances for a more successful outcome when addressing your child's inappropriate behaviors.
This informal group discussion will be lead by Maureen Rushton, a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst and Behavior Consultant for The Shafer Center for Early Intervention.
Book Chat with Children's Book Author and Blogger
with Julie Sternberg
www.pleasedontreadthisbook.com
Julie Sternberg is author of LIKE PICKLE JUICE ON A COOKIE, a children's book about a girl whose beloved nanny moves away. She also writes a blog recommending books for children of all ages, from picture books through young adult novels; and she's earned an MFA in Writing for Children at the New School, where she studied children's literature as well as writing. Join her in a discussion about some great books to introduce to your readers. She will share ideas about how to choose good books and get kids engaged in reading. Ms. Sternberg will also speak a little about the progression of her own book from the pages of her notebook to the shelves of bookstores and libraries. Come talk books!
Julie Sternberg also received an MFA in Creative Writing from the New School, where she met Mia. Her first book for children, LIKE PICKLE JUICE ON A COOKIE, is forthcoming from Amulet/Abrams Books. Amulet will also publish her second book, which she is writing now. Her website is www.juliesternberg.com.
2:00- 3:15
Super Healthy Habits for Super Nannies!
with Charmaine Flanagan
Workshop sponsored by A Friend of the Family Agency
You nurture your spouse, lover, children, employer and community…
Are you focusing on everyone else first and letting your own health suffer?
Health Coach Charmaine Flanagan will provide insightful, doable and fun strategies towards living your best life. Come be inspired!
Charmaine received her training to practice Health Coaching at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, which is the only nutrition school integrating all the different dietary theories—combining the knowledge of traditional philosophies with modern concepts like the USDA food pyramid, the glycemic index, the Zone and raw foods. She believes in the school’s mission to play a crucial role in improving health and happiness in America, and through that process, create a ripple effect that transforms the world. She began her journey to become a health coach when faced with her own challenges. As a health coach, Charmaine is a wellness guide and supportive mentor, working with her clients to achieve goals in areas such as weight management, food cravings, sleep and energy. Her clients develop a deeper understanding of the foods and lifestyle choices that work best for them and implement lasting changes that will improve energy and health.
Charmaine lives in Laurel with my wonderful husband and awesome step-son.
"How did I end up working for a family who won't let me drive?"
Matching: The Key to Nanny Success
with Sue Downey of Nannypalooza.com
Workshop sponsored by Family Helpers, Inc.
What are you looking for in a family? Are these the qualities that match you best as a caregiver? Ever wonder how a neat freak like yourself ended up working for the messiest family in the world? Have you taken a job only to find out a month in that the family thinks the schedule is law while you think it is a mere suggestion? It all goes back to how to interview and research families during the hiring process and how you evaluate your own personality and talents.Often we find that we are so busy making sure we are a good fit for them that we forget to make sure that a family is a match for our personality and talents. We will discuss revealing questions and techniques that you can use to vet families and find your perfect match. Like a good batch of cookies, it's all about the chemistry!!
'Why Do They Do That?' What We Now Know About Developing Healthy Brains
with Linda Lomabdo Ph.D.
We are learning more every day about the human brain and how it develops. Brain-based explanations of developmental behaviors and issues help us not only better understand the babies and children with whom we work, but also develop strategies for nurturing healthy, happy childhood experiences. This workshop will present current research in simple and practical terms and generate ideas for applying neuroscience to everyday life with kids.
For more than forty years, Linda has worked with children and families in a variety of roles- as a teacher, school principal, family counselor, and yes- as a live-in caregiver. Currently, She is the director of Lighthouse, Inc., a youth and family services center in Catonsville, Maryland.
4:00- 5:30
Mean Girls with Power Tools: Helping Teens and Tweens Stay Safe and Smart Online
with Susan Fetcho MS, LCPC
Workshop sponsored by enannysource.com
We’ve seen the movies and heard the stories – tween and teen girls can be particularly tough on one another. Add the internet into the mix and the consequences can be painful, even tragic. Girls no one would otherwise consider “mean” find themselves behaving cruelly via social media. Every kid online is a potential target and a potential cyberbully. In this workshop we’ll discuss the reasons smart kids make dumb choices online; and explore ways to prepare those in our care for the internet pitfalls they may face.
Susan Fetcho, MS, LCPC, is a pastoral counselor, psychotherapist, and clinical supervisor, with over 20 years of experience. Her private practice in the Baltimore area focuses on the needs of helping professionals; she also works as a clinical supervisor in a Maryland Youth Service Bureau, helping train graduate student interns in family counseling.
Trends in the Industry- Meet The National Domestic Workers Alliance
with Jill Shenker, Field Director, National Domestic Workers Alliance and Jennileen Joseph, Massachusetts Alliance of Professional Nannies
This session will explore the domestic workers movement, with a growing number of local organizations and the National Domestic Workers Alliance. Leaders from NDWA will share about the Domestic Worker’s Bill of Rights, their national survey project, the creation of an International Labor Convention for Decent Work for Domestic Workers and an International Domestic Workers Network, and the work of the local organizations. This session will be a discussion with questions and answers and a forum for respectful and spirited exchange. Come and find out more about this exciting and growing movement.
Sunday
8:30 - 9:45
What Triggered That Meltdown? secrets of high-needs, ultra-sensitive kids
with Jan St. Clair and Tara Lindsay
Are you caring for a baby that isn’t soothed by any of the traditional methods? Or a toddler that is unusually sensitive to sounds and smells? Or a preschooler that has a hard time with even the smallest transition? Are you out of ideas on how to handle a child’s challenging behavior? Chances are you’re working with a high needs child. Countless bits of sensory information enter our brain every second, not only from our five basic senses but from every place on our bodies. The brain must organize and integrate all of these sensations to allow us to move easily through the world. Babies and children that aren’t able to effectively process environmental and internal information can have difficulty managing their daily environment, academic progress and social interactions. In other words, they can have mild to severe reactions to situations and stimuli that other children don’t even notice. In this presentation, we’ll take a fresh look at the sensory system, discuss common behaviors in children that are hypo-sensitive (seeking stimulation) or hypersensitive (avoiding stimulation) and offer practical ideas for meeting their unique needs with sensitivity and creativity, helping them function more fully in the "typical" world. We’ll also look at the challenge of adapting your caregiving style without feeling like you’re spoiling, allowing yourself to be manipulated or encouraging over dependence in your high needs charge.
Janice St.Clair is a career nanny living in Cambridge, MA. She’s the founder and facilitator of BANSG, the 11-year-old Boston Area Nanny Support Group, and a long time industry advocate for quality nanny care. She has worked throughout her life with special needs children and adults including those with behavioral issues, sensory integration disorders, Asperger's Syndrome, developmental disabilities, speech/language delays and disorders, visual impairments and blindness, and deafness.
Presenting Yourself as a Full Charge Professional Nanny
with Marta Perrone of The Professional Nanny
Workshop sponsored by Cuddlebuggs, Inc.
Today’s Nanny needs to be trained and experienced in all areas to impress a prospective employer and secure employment. In addition to an impressive resume, good interview techniques, and negotiating a protective employment agreement, becoming full charge and presenting yourself professionally to a family is vital. Marta will discuss these and other aspects of your career development.
Marta attended UCLA majoring in Spanish and linguistics. When she started her own family, she realized the importance of hiring proper household help to assist new mothers. In 1989, Domestic Connections was born. Marta is the author of the 2009 Mom’s Choice Award winner “Help! How to Find, Hire, Train and Maintain Household Help” and in 2010, she launched “The Professional Housekeeper” a DVD and book set also winning Mom’s Choice Award in 2011. Marta presents workshops and trainings across the country to household employers and employees of the private service industry.
11:00 -12:45
Win-Win Negotiating: How to Get What You Need AND Keep Your Relationships Happy
with Amy Greene and Erin McNeill, Co-founders of Massachusettes Alliance of Professional Nannies (MAPN)
Workshop sponsored by Aunt Ann’s In House Staffing
As nannies, we strive to please our employers and charges, often while letting our own needs go unmet. We are sometimes afraid to voice a complaint or point out a better way to do something. This workshop will use role-playing and group exercises to help nannies negotiate a contract, solve problems with parents, and build their communication skills so they can approach conflicts with confidence.
Erin and Amy each have 5+ years of experience as professional nannies. During this time, we have negotiated and renegotiated contracts, worked with a variety of parents and children, and used creativity to solve problems involving our charges and/or their parents. We also worked together with three other nannies in the Boston area to host nearly 80 nannies for last year’s Nannies Across America. While working on the logistics for the conference, we helped form a non-profit organization, Massachusetts Alliance of Professional Nannies (MAPN), in order to help strengthen the voice of the nanny in the workplace, build social connections among local nannies, foster leadership skills, and provide nannies with the skills they need to be extraordinary caretakers. In addition, both Erin and Amy are certified teachers, and have multiple years of classroom experience. This has broadened our perspectives on dealing with a wide range of parents and children, and with solving a multitude of problems!
Creative Tools to Teach Kids about Healthy Food
with Debra Dennis of HealthyNannies4HealthyKids
www.indigolifestylesolutions.com
We live in a fast paced world. We eat on the go or go out to eat. The children we care for are manipulated by the media and don’t want to eat what you know is best for them. What’s a nanny to do? This fun and interactive presentation will open you up to new ideas that you can put into action on your very next day at work. You’ll have the kids begging you for fruits, veggies and healthy snacks.
Meal planning has just gotten easier.
Debra (Weiss) Dennis, founder of Indigo Lifestyle Solutions and HealthyNannies4HealthyKidsTM, has been a highly respected Consultant and expert in the field of Household and Estate Staffing for the past 20 years. Grounded in her dedication and passion to make a difference in the lives of others, she has connected thousands of families with talented, loving Child Care and Domestic Professionals resulting in successful, nurturing, long-term relationships for all involved. With her background in Mental Heath, she understands how important it is to feel valued and appreciated when you’re passionate about the work you do and the lives you touch.
As a Certified Holistic Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach, Debra is your personal cheerleader and advocate. Her formal training based in Eastern/Western Nutrition and Holistic Health is from the Institute for Integrated Nutrition and is certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Her goal is to make your life simple, easy and truly amazing.
She is known by many as The Passionate Change-maker.
