Training Handbook – Your guide to 4-C’s training program. Information includes 4-C Membership, registration and training policies.
CPR/First Aid Training Events, Updated 7/8/2021–printer friendly
September Training Events: WEBINARS ONLY, Updated 7/30/2021–printer friendly
October Training Events: WEBINARS ONLY, Updated 8/31/2021–printer friendly
To Register for Trainings
Online Training Registration Form
Printer-friendly Registration Form
Dealing with Choosy Eating
Do you have a child in your care who is a finicky eater? Has mealtime become a battleground? Young children begin to develop food preferences and eating habits that will impact their growth and …
LGBTQIA+ 101: Understanding Development and Creating Safety for Kids, Teens, and Tweens
Childcare providers create safe and nurturing environments for their kids. Many of these children may be exploring their gender identity or sexual orientation or may go on to do so. Childcare …
Big Emotions, What Do They Tell Us?
All behavior has meaning, however you may at times struggle to find the meaning behind the behavior. During this training we will explore how emotions impact behaviors and how to support and guide …
Adventures in Neurodevelopment and Use of Nature
An introduction to the use of activity, games, and adventure in nature to promote healthy neurodevelopment. Participants will learn basic principles of neurodevelopment and how nature and various …
An Introduction to Contracts and Policies
Do you need to write your first contract and policy for your family child care program? Do you have a contract and policy but are wondering if it has everything you need? In this workshop we will …
Self-Care: Are You Worth It?
Child care professionals naturally focus intently on meeting the needs of the children and families they serve. Unfortunately, when they care for others but neglect themselves, they risk experiencing …
How to Catch a Predator: Recognizing the Role of Grooming in Child Sexual Abuse Cases
In almost every high-profile case of child abuse and exploitation, the perpetrators have engaged in some sort of trust-building or grooming. A critical aspect of child abuse prevention is to learn …
When All You Hear is No: Guiding Behavior
Does your toddler shake her head and shout "no!" when you ask her to come to you? Early stages of exploration and interactions among infants and toddlers include behaviors such as a child grabs toys, …
Using Activity and Adventures for Optimal Neurointegration
This training will look at how a child's experiences (both traumatic and non-traumatic) play into the overall brain development over their life span. How to help children build resiliency will also …
Healthy Through the Holidays and Other Celebrations
Children are like sponges, taking in everything they see and do! Explore how healthy celebrations can impact the food and activity choices children make each day. Discover new activities and …
The Use of Puppetry in Social Emotional Acquisition and Across the Curriculum
Grab your puppet and join us for this two part series (must attend both dates for credit). This highly interactive series will take participants from introducing a puppet as part of a classroom …
Reflections on Race
Please join Maureen and Andrea as they explore the topic of race. They will reveal the challenges and rewards of exploring this complex topic together as they reflect on their personal journeys …
Infant and Toddler Mental Health: Key Developmental Assets
Learn how to apply the forty developmental assets and the 6 C's of Positive Youth Development to infant toddler development to best promote positive mental health during these stages and set the …
The Use of Puppetry in Social Emotional Acquisition and Across the Curriculum
Grab your puppet and join us for this two part series (must attend both dates for credit). This highly interactive series will take participants from introducing a puppet as part of a classroom …
Using Adventure and Nature Activities with Children
This training will further explore the impact that nature and the outdoors can have on development/learning including social/emotional learning. The trainer will dive deeper into ways to utilize …
**Rescheduled** Tips and Strategies on Becoming a Strong Leader in the ECE Field
Do you currently work in a center and have a desire to move up in a leadership role? Are you currently in a leadership role, but what to learn strategies on becoming a stronger leader? Then this …
Infant and Toddler Mental Health: Communicating Effectively with Young Children
Participants will learn how to improve their communication with infants and toddlers to promote positive mental health, strengthen relationships, and manage behavior. Audience: All Providers, …
Brrr…Learning Even When It’s Cold Outside
Colder temperatures are quickly approaching. Are you prepared for outdoor time? Northern Illinois weather is very unpredictable, but we all understand the importance of outdoor time even when the …
Infant and Toddler Mental Health: Building Positive Attachments
Participants will learn the basics of theories of attachment and how to build effective attachments with infants and toddlers they work with to promote positive mental health, healthy relationships, …
Post-It Notes to Professional Observations
Effective observation and assessment of young children’s learning are critical to supporting their development. Understanding what you know about child development with observation and assessment …
Tax and Recordkeeping for Family Child Care
Does keeping up with current tax laws as it relates to self-employed business practices seem overwhelming? Learn what it means to be self-employed, how to track income and expenses, and what business …
Let’s Get Families Involved
Family involvement/engagement is a key part of providing quality care for the children you serve. The backbone to successful involvements is having specific goals and strategies for involving …
Creating Intergenerational Connections
This training focuses on involving senior adults in child care and education programs. Discover the benefits to the children, adults, your program, and you when seniors are involved in your …
New Year, New Ideas
The winter blahs are fast approaching...are you ready to overcome them? Some new curriculum ideas to spice up your program and daily routines are just what you need. Being prepared for the cold days …
Safety, Security, and De-Escalation Strategies
Security expert and former US Secret Service Agent Jason Russell will identify unique safety and security challenges in the COVID environment and discuss strategies to mitigate risk. Attendees will …
Little Music + Little Bodies = Big Outcomes
Music is used in classroom and early childhood settings consistently and throughout the day. But how does the music that you incorporate impact the children you work with? Learn how to expand the use …
No Shushing Please! Talking to Kids About Race
This training offers insight into the challenges teachers face in addressing questions and comments about racial differences. General guidance in responding to children's natural curiosities about …
Lighten Your Load with Laughter
Enjoy the lighter side of life and take time to laugh! Learn about the physical and psychological benefits of laughter and ways to build emotional habits that keep you smiling. The training will …
Let’s Get Them Moving: Motor Development for Infants/Toddlers
One of the major areas of development for our infants/toddlers is motor development. Infants require responsive care from the adults in their lives, proper nutrition, and appropriately stimulating …
Powerful Interactions: Connecting with Children
This training will look at positive staff/child interactions and describe the three components of these interactions. We will discuss the three parts of the brain and their function; look at why …
Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Module 1: Social-Emotional Growth & Socialization
Social-Emotional Growth and Socialization explores topics on social-emotional development in the first three years, temperaments of children and caregivers, socialization, guidance and discipline, …
Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Module 1: Social-Emotional Growth & Socialization
Social-Emotional Growth and Socialization explores topics on social-emotional development in the first three years, temperaments of children and caregivers, socialization, guidance and discipline, …
Trauma in Early Childhood: How Does It Affect Children In Your Care?
Participants will learn about how trauma affects the developing brain. The effect on the brain often reveals how and why a child may react, or interact, in a particular way after experiencing trauma. …
Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Module 2: Group Care
Group Care introduces special considerations in caring for infants and toddlers and six program policies that support the development of emotionally secure relationships and mental health in the …
Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Module 2: Group Care
Group Care introduces special considerations in caring for infants and toddlers and six program policies that support the development of emotionally secure relationships and mental health in the …
Healthy Eating Starts with a Positive Role Model
With the amount of time children spend in child care, it is important for staff to realize their potential impact in a child’s nutrition intake. This training session provides the opportunity to …
The Trauma Informed Classroom
Participants will learn how trauma shows up through behaviors in the classroom and will look at ways to create a supportive learning environment that supports children who have experienced trauma. …
An Introduction to Contracts and Policies
Do you need to write your first contract and policy for your family child care program? Do you have a contract and policy but are wondering if it has everything you need? In this workshop, we will …
SAYD Credential Level 1 Training Module 1: Introduction to Child and Youth Development
Participants will receive a brief introduction to child and youth development from ages 5-21. They will be introduced to the stages of development, along with the physical, cognitive, language, and …
SAYD Credential Level 1 Module 2a: School-Age Development
This session will explore the general characteristics and what to look for when working with children ages 5-12. It will also discuss what to do and how to address children or youth who may have …
The Importance of Play and Make Believe
Research shows that setting our kids up for success in school and beyond with numerous opportunities to "play" throughout their day is the best approach for early learning environments. Teaching …
Shaken Baby Syndrome and Traumatic Brian Injury
This training discusses the signs, symptoms, causes, triggers, prevention, and long-term effects of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Traumatic Brain Injury. The successful completion of this course meets …
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS/SUID/AAP Safe Sleep)
This training discusses Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS/SUID/AAP Safe Sleep) including the risk of SIDS, safe sleep habits, licensing standards, and resources for further information. The …
SAYD Credential 1 Module 2b: Early Adolescent Development (Ages 11-16)
This session will discuss developmental characteristics of early adolescents and recognize that those in this stage may appear more as school-age children in some areas, and an adolescent in others. …
SAYD Credential Level 1 Module 2c: Late Adolescent/Young Adult Development (Ages 15-21)
This session will focus on supporting the needs of late adolescents as they transition into adulthood. Topics will include peer leadership, life skill development, supporting their growing …
Helping Young Children Through Daily Transitions
This training will help child care providers understand the importance of how to facilitate transitions in their daily work with young children. Well managed transitions can lead to a better …
Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Module 3: Learning and Development
This session explores brain development, early learning and language development, and appropriate curriculum planning for infants and toddlers. PITC's view of infants as active, self-motivated …
Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Module 3: Learning and Development
This session explores brain development, early learning and language development, and appropriate curriculum planning for infants and toddlers. PITC's view of infants as active, self-motivated …
SAYD Credential Level 1 Module 3a: Infant/Toddler Development (Birth-36 months)
The goal of this session is to raise awareness and discuss this important stage of development, offer information, and point to resources for participants to use. One area that will be highlighted …
Mindfulness in the Classroom
During this interactive training, we will focus on practical strengths for creating a more mindful classroom. Particpants will explore self-care and relaxation practices to help you feel calm and …
Child Development, Health, and Safety Basics
This training will provide participants an overview of child development, health, and safety issues for children birth through early school-age. Emphasis will be on understanding patterns of …
Coaching, Mentoring, Supervising: What Is The Difference?
Are you in a position that mentors, coaches, or supervises educators? If the answer is yes, then this session is for you! In this session, participants will understand the distinct roles of coaching, …
Insults in Disguise: The Damaging Effects of Microaggressions in the Classroom
Participants will explore different types of microaggressions. This training will address the role of microaggressions in the early childhood classroom. Microaggressions will be discuss as barriers …
Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Module 4: Culture, Families, and Providers
This training focuses on culture and its implications for families and providers. Participants will learn how family experiences, knowledge, and childrearing beliefs and practices can be incorporated …
What is CCAP?
Join this informative session to become more familiar with the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program’s (CCAP) policy and procedures, including the application process, provider qualifications, …
Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Module 4: Culture, Families, and Providers
This training focuses on culture and its implications for families and providers. Participants will learn how family experiences, knowledge, and childrearing beliefs and practices can be incorporated …
Helping Children Cope: Grief and Loss in Children
As child care providers, it is important to build your capacity around grief and loss as it relates to young children. In this training, participants will gain insights into the emotional and …
Getting to Know You…And Those You Work With
Do you ever wonder why people act the way they do? Or how someone could think so differently than you do? Would you like to discover more about your personality and why you may be the way you are? …
Watch, Move, and Listen! A P.L.A.N. to Protect Children with Appropriate Supervision
Does your program provide supervision? Appropriate supervision is when children can be seen and heard at all times, from every area of the facility or playground. Prevent lapses in supervision by …
American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED (expires in 2 years)
CPR/First Aid trainings are open to providers 18 years and older working in child care settings in Carroll, DeKalb, Lee, McHenry, Ogle and Whiteside counties. Audience: Open to All Providers; …
Ready, Set, Roll into Summer Science FUN!
I have a secret to share with you. KIDS LOVE SCIENCE! Okay, so that's not really a big secret given how many hands-on science activities that kids enjoy getting dirty with. The best part about summer …
Getting Your Curriculum Ready
A high-quality, research-based curriculum promotes measurable progress toward children's development. It provides guidance on what content and which learning experiences and teaching practices to …
Connecting with Families
This training will examine how to build healthy relationships with families by looking at strategies to speak with families about their children and raise difficult topics with sensitivity while …
Access, Participation, and Supports for Inclusion
Have you wondered what inclusion is all about? Do you have children you don't know how to support in your care? There are many factors that go into making successful inclusive environments. Learn how …
Building Engagement with Teen Moms
Parents, like children in our care, come to use with varying needs and abilities. Teen moms are no exception to this, bringing their own set of needs, skills, and experiences. Teenage moms are a …
American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED (expires in 2 years)
CPR/First Aid trainings are open to providers 18 years and older working in child care settings in Carroll, DeKalb, Lee, McHenry, Ogle and Whiteside counties. Audience: Open to All Providers; …
Infection Control in Early Childhood Settings
Illnesses are common among young children, and those in a child care setting are likely to be two to three times more at risk of getting sick. This risk can be reduced through education and creating …
Putting Your Learning Centers to Work for You
A good learning center should be a learning experience for the young children you serve. Create each center with a specific goal in mind and when that goal is met, those centers will be successful. …
Big Emotions: What Do They Mean?
This training will explore how emotions impact behaviors and how to support and guide children through these behaviors. Information about typical social emotional development and how you can support …
American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED (expires in 2 years)
CPR/First Aid trainings are open to providers 18 years and older working in child care settings in Carroll, DeKalb, Lee, McHenry, Ogle and Whiteside counties. Audience: Open to All Providers; …
Communicating Through Behaviors
All behavior has meaning. Many times the challenge is interpreting what children are trying to communicate through their behaviors. During this training, we explore the meaning behind the behavior …
Kids, Crops, and Critters: Using Agriculture to Connect Children to their World
"Farm" is the theme for dozens of adorable children's books and toys, yet many young children are unaware of the connection between farms and their own everyday lives. This training will explore …
An Introduction to Engaging and Working with Children on the Autism Spectrum
The training will focus on introductory and foundational concepts for engaging and working with children ages 0-12 experiencing symptoms or features of Autism Spectrum Disorder and other …
Introduction to Early Intervention: What Child Care Providers Need to Know
This Early Intervention overview will cover important components including the importance of understanding milestones, the process, eligibility, services offered, and the difference Early …
American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED (expires in 2 years)
CPR/First Aid trainings are open to providers 18 years and older working in child care settings in Carroll, DeKalb, Lee, McHenry, Ogle and Whiteside counties. Audience: Open to All Providers; …
Creating Adaptations for Young Learners
Have you wondered how to provide successful adaptations to accommodate all learners? Do you have children you don't know how to support in your care? There are many factors that go into making …
Developing an Emergency Preparedness Plan
Emergency situations can happen at any time. Child care facilities need to have a written plan in place, so staff, children, and families are prepared to handle any emergency situation that may …
Insults in Disguise: The Damaging Effects of Microaggressions in the Classroom
Participants will explore different types of microaggressions. This training will address the role of microaggressions in the early childhood classroom. Microaggressions will be discussed as barriers …
American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED (expires in 2 years)
CPR/First Aid trainings are open to providers 18 years and older working in child care settings in Carroll, DeKalb, Lee, McHenry, Ogle and Whiteside counties. Audience: Open to All Providers; …
American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED (expires in 2 years)
CPR/First Aid trainings are open to providers 18 years and older working in child care settings in Carroll, DeKalb, Lee, McHenry, Ogle and Whiteside counties. Audience: Open to All Providers; …