Live & Virtual
Keynotes
Inquire today to bring an inspiring, energetic, and rousing presentation (and real-life tools) that delight your participants and leave them grateful they came and excited to come back next year!
Get Inspired
Looking for a dynamic presenter?
Audiences love Raelene! New eye-opening information, energizing, inspiring, entertaining, and fun are just some of the words used to describe Raelene’s Keynotes.
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Book Raelene as your Keynote Speaker to elevate your event, captivate your audience, and spark a renewed passion for shaping the future of early childhood education.
Top Keynotes
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Finding Joy: Reduce Stress, Break Through Barriers, and Increase Your Joy Factor—Today!
​​Caring for and educating young children—or supporting the professionals who do—is deeply meaningful work. It is also intense emotional labor that can easily lead to stress, exhaustion, and burnout. When your work calls on your heart, mind, and patience every day, it can be difficult to leave it behind. In a profession built on caring for others, the most important person might just be overlooked – YOU.
Nurturing yourself is not a luxury—it is essential. When educators restore their own energy and sense of purpose, they are better able to create the warm, joyful environments that young children need to thrive.
In this uplifting keynote, Raelene Ostberg—known as “That Joy Lady”—invites educators to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the joy that first brought them to this important work. Through engaging stories, humor, and practical insights, participants will explore simple yet powerful strategies to reduce stress, overcome everyday barriers, and bring more moments of joy into their professional and personal lives.
Participants will leave feeling refreshed, energized, and inspired—with practical tools they can begin using immediately. Join us to discover how small shifts in mindset and daily practice that will decrease stress, strengthen gratitude, and help you experience more of the genuine happiness you deserve. Come ready to recover (and discover) the joy in the vital work you do every day.
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Objectives:
As a result of this training, Participants will be able to:
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Label the impact your role has on the brain development of young children.
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Identify several methods to ensure emotional well-being, mental health, and avoid burnout.
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List one positive action to take that will build in a positive, joy-inducing routine into your day.
​Feedback from this session:​
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“Absolutely uplifting!”
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“WOW! This was just what I needed!”
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“It was a very impactful presentation with infectious energy and helpful, new insights and advice.“
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“I loved the whole presentation and the energy that it was given with kept me captivated and interested as well as the content.”
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“She is so passionate and fun! Delivers the messages so clear and to the heart. Thank you!”
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“Raelene is amazing! Her joy overflows to everyone!”
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“I thoroughly appreciated her authenticity!!! She was REAL!”
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"Thank you so much for your wonderful class today! So many staff pulled me aside throughout the day and told me how great you were. One even said 'I feel like she was speaking to me and telling me exactly what I needed to hear!' You have such a gift for adult education, and we all appreciated having you here today.”
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“Amazing session! Lots of great information! I think it would be awesome if this one could be offered regularly!”
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“A lot of times we tend to lose ourselves in our jobs so much that we forget to take care of ourselves! It’s important for a teacher to acknowledge their own worth and our job is not for everybody! In order for us to adequately take care of our kiddos, we need to find joy for ourselves!”
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“I was having the toughest last two months, and this was the advice/push I needed it. Thank you so much.”
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“I learned so much good information from Raelene that will help me in my work and my LIFE! I needed this class to learn/remind me how to take care of myself. Find JOY!!!”
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Less Stress, More Calm: Brain-Based Strategies for Success, Joy, and Contentment in Early Childhood.
Our stress level may be impacted by our genetics, environment, our past experiences, relationships, and internal and external stressors. Many of these are beyond our personal areas of control. However, we can make small shifts to positively impact how we think about these to intentionally create more joy and less stress in our lives.
Join us for this transformative session as we:
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Identify what the latest neuroscience research has discovered about how stress impacts the human brain.
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Learn about our Default Network and its impact on our thinking and the level of strain we experience.
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Discover strategies you can implement immediately to improve resilience, reduce stress, and build a positive work culture.
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Have fun and get inspired listening to entertaining, real-life stories, insightful quotes, and interactive activities that show the techniques in action.
Participants will walk away with many simple shifts that help us each enjoy more of this life.
Objectives:
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As a result of this training, Participants will be able to:
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Pinpoint what increases personal feelings of stress based on your unique role.
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Label the difference between the brain’s two thinking networks: The Default and Focused Modes of the brain.
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List practical strategies that will fortify your brain's rewarding focus-mode network to bring more calm and contentment to each day.
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Recognize when the mind is centered on an unhelpful thought and be able to shift attention to thoughts that is more beneficial and productive.
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Identify a strategy to implement that will decrease stress and increase success starting right away, personally and professionally.
​Feedback from this session:
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“It was REAL. It was authentically real. I laughed, cried, had aha moments, and instantly told my assistant that we will have ALL staff complete this on an in-service day! Exactly the style of training we need!” -Kayla O., Childcare Director
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“Perfect! Engaging and informative. The presenter is full of life, love and passion and makes what could be just another mundane training exciting and enjoyable while still being informative. I absolutely LOVE her energy! This is the second training I have done with Raelene, but definitely not the last!!!!” - Erin S., Parent and Childcare Provider
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"I liked the concrete examples of how Raelene has put the tips into action. I loved it - Wonderful and full of useful knowledge." -Elizabeth G., Director
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"I loved the presentation honestly. It was real situations, very relatable. It broke down everything so you can focus on what you were addressing directly, bringing attention to how much stress and strain I'm currently putting myself under. I thoroughly enjoyed this training and will refer it to colleagues. :) It's very insightful!" -Jordan L., Trainer, Adult Educator, and Childcare Provider
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“This is by far my favorite training so far! I think it was all amazing.” -Elianna M., Childcare Provider
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Feisty, Lively, and Tenacious!
Working with Difficult Temperament Traits to Help All Children Succeed!
Many behaviors that can be challenging for adults in group settings are linked to temperament—how a child is naturally wired to respond to the world. Some children are born extremely persistent, intense emotionally, slow-to-warm, highly sensitive, or constantly on the move. While these traits have benefits in the long run for the child, they can sometimes lead to power struggles, difficulty with transitions, loud protests, or behaviors that challenge even experienced educators.
In this dynamic keynote, participants will gain powerful insights into how temperament shapes children’s behavior and responses to everyday experiences. Discover the nine temperament traits and how a child’s natural style influences emotional reactions, adaptability, activity level, and interactions with others.
Learn how creating a positive “goodness of fit” between a child’s temperament and their environment can dramatically reduce stress and challenging behaviors. This inspiring keynote shares proven methods to decrease power struggles, reduce negative behaviors, and increase positive outcomes for children with strong or sensitive temperaments.
Through transformative insights, practical real-life strategies, and engaging storytelling, educators will gain simple yet powerful coaching and guidance techniques that help children develop self-regulation, cooperation, and the skills they need to thrive.
Filled with humor, relatable examples, and memorable stories from the field, this uplifting keynote will engage both the heart and the mind, leaving participants energized, encouraged, and ready to support even the most feisty, lively, and tenacious children in positive and successful ways.
Objectives:
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As a result of this training, Participants will be able to:​​
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Label several specific temperament traits
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Describe how the mix of adult and child temperament traits can lead to a mismatch that may increase stress for all.
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List nurturing and responsive methods to individualize care and adapt for a child having difficulty and exhibiting behaviors the adult finds challenging.
​Feedback from this session:
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“So real and informative!"
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"Eye opening and incredibly helpful learning new perspectives on how to approach the kiddos who add a lot of flair to the day to day."
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"Loved how it was interactive, got the audience involved every few minutes."
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"Amazing information and useful tools to use in everyday life as a childcare worker or parent!!" - Morgan M., Childcare Provider
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"I appreciate your practical knowledge from someone who really has been there in the classroom and as a parent."- Nancy B., Preschool Teacher
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"She's great! Keeps interest and my attention! Her conversational tone makes understanding and involvement easy!" - Amy S., Childcare Provider
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Being the Star you Are: Mastering Stressful Moments So You Can Truly Shine!
Studies indicate that young children in group settings experience elevations in stress hormone, especially as the day progresses. This building tension can trigger stress behaviors such as crying, tantrums, and aggression. How educators respond during these tense moments impacts children’s emotional development but also how caregivers feel about their important work.
During this insightful session, educators explore effective methods to reduce stress before and during taxing moments to build the important self-regulation skills needed to prevent future emotional mayhem. We will pinpoint helpful adult responses and mindfulness tricks to use during tense interactions that help maintain an unruffled reaction to challenging behaviors. Discover the variety of stress behaviors and practice matching which soothing adult actions will promote harmony and build children’s ability to calm, over time. Connect with educators as you develop a plan to confidently address stressful moments so everyone can truly shine, today and every day!
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Objectives:
As a result of this training, Participants will be able to:​​
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Describe the impact of elevated stress hormone on behavior.
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Identify activities, useful hand-on tools, and adult responses to use throughout the day to reduce stress hormone in adults and children
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Pinpoint which adult behaviors will help them maintain self-control and calm during stressful moments.
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Label strategies to use during stressful moments that will build self-regulation skills, foster trust, and reduce stress in the environment.
​Feedback from this session:
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"Raelene made it fun and engaging! Gave great ideas and advice"
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“I loved Raelene's spirit and personality. The two hours flew by!"
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"Loved getting new / more ideas to help maintain stress and how to work through not only for me but for my kids"
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"I have learned to listen to kids more! I have also learned how to control my stress & emotions!"
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"Great!! Very informative and helpful!"
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"It was insightful and had a lot of helpful tips and tools to put into play for the child care and for home settings."
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Giving the Gifts that Last a Lifetime: Healthy Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence
Discover the important elements of building healthy self-esteem while building the self-confidence needed to take on challenges and persevere even with things get tough. Gain insight into the dark side of self-esteem and the unintended results of the self-esteem movement. Learn proven methods to ensure children not only feel good, but also do well. Explore methods to increase effective praise that builds the “can do” attitude needed to ensure future success. Label methods to increase problem-solving skills and promote a trusting and responsive relationship that will reduce challenging behaviors and leave kids feeling capable and responsible.
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Objectives:
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As a result of this training, Participants will be able to:​​
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Label a method to promote healthy self-esteem and self-confidence
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List strategies to give effective praise and scaffolded adult supports when children experience difficulty while learning
​Feedback from this session:
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“It’s SO relevant and research shows these methods actually increase self-sufficiency and confidence throughout life!" - Dana G., Parent
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"Raelene is the best! You will walk away from the training with many ideas to implement and a great mindset too!" - Michelle S., Childcare Provider
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"I thought the speaker was wonderful and so relatable and had amazing insight!" - Halee C., Childcare Provider
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"Helpful tips for your classroom when giving out responsibilities. Thank you! I can't wait to try this out in my classroom." Kasey, Preschool Teacher
Bring engaging, joyful learning experiences to your conference—ones that educators remember and come back for. Raelene specializes in transformative insights, evidence-based strategies, and real-life stories that show the methods in action. She helps educators address challenging behaviors, reduce stress, increase joy, and achieve greater success in their work.
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RAELENE IS A CONFERENCE FAVORITE
Dynamic In-Person Conference Speaker
Raelene has been developing and delivering exceptional education on critical early childhood topics since 2001.
Each session is filled with:
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Energy and enthusiasm: Raelene is known for her dynamic presentations that keep participants engaged and inspired throughout the sessions.
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Experience learning with someone who get's it: All learning opportunities bring tools Raelene gathered obtaining her M.Ed. at the University of Minnesota, extensive study of stress with Mayo Clinic's Stress-free Living Program, 20+ years working in early childhood classrooms, collaborating with childcare providers to raise her daughters, and 25 collaborating with families as a Parent Educator, Home visitor, and more.
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Evidence-based strategies: What do children need to behave well and learn the skills needed to thrive well into the future? Raelene has a stockpile of transformative topics developed over the last 25 years developing engaging curriculum that touches the heart and mind.
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Visual supports: A delightful Powerpoint, short visual handout with core content, videos, and interaction ensure audiences walk away able to apply the strategies starting right away.
All Workshop Topics
All professional development opportunities are packed with real-life tools you can apply today to get the behaviors you want, and stop the behaviors you don’t. Any of these topics can be delivered in-person or virtually. To see the list of upcoming engaging sessions, from Keynotes to breakouts, at visit Learn with Raelene. Many topics are now also available as engaging self-paced topics.
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All are professional development opportunities that participants love (100% Recommended!)​
Elevate your conference experience with energizing, memorable, and inspiring education!
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE TESTIMONIALS
"Captivating, joyful presenter! So much great information, applications and wonderful handout. My favorite session so far!"
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-Kathryn B, Childcare Provider
"She presented this topic in a very fun and effective way! I loved the knowledge check throughout the presentation and shared plenty of resources and success stories! Overall a great session!"
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-Rischma Buchanan, ECE Coach
"This was the best session and presenter that I attended!"
-Susan Zambo, Social Worker
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"One of the best speakers and presentations. This was just wonderful. Thank you!"
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-Amanda Meditz, Teacher Assistant
Discover Raelene’s Vibrant Trainings with Our Free Resources
Curious about Raelene’s style and expertise?
Access Raelene’s videos, cheat sheets and blog posts for quick tips to get the behaviors you want and STOP the behaviors you don't. Plus learn how to reduce your stress, manage challenging situations, and more!
Presentation Highlights!
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July 10th - 12th, 2025 in Dallas, Texas
Two fantastic breakout sessions!
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Decrease Stress, Increase Success, and Enhance Joy, Today!
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Calming Terrific Toddlers: Evidence -Based Strategies that Reduce Aggression & Promote Self-Regulation
June 28, 2025 in Galesburg IL
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Guiding Those Terrific Toddlers: Evidence-Based Strategies to Set Effective Limits and Get Toddlers to Follow Them!G
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Feisty, Lively, and Tenacious! Working with Difficult Infant and Toddler Temperament Traits to Help Increase Calm and Bolster Success for All
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Frustrating Temperament Traits: Strengths-Based Approaches to Help Preschoolers with Emotionally Intense Temperaments
June 9th - 12th, 2025 in Santa Rosa, California
Three Breakout Sessions
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Building Baby’s Brain Power: Using Songs and Sensitive Care to Reduce Upset and Helps All Infant's Blossom
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Decrease Stress, Enhance Joy, and Increase Your Success, Today!
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Frustrating Temperament Traits: Strengths-Based Caregiving Approaches to Ensure All Infants and Toddlers Thrive
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2022-2024 has been so rewarding with this amazing conference!
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Parent and Family Engagement Conference, Dec 2022
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​Collaborating with Families Parts 1-3!
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NHSA Annual Conference 2023
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Deceasing Stress, Taming Those Terrific Toddlers, and fill-in for Supporting Children through Trauma​
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NHSA Annual Conference 2024: Being the Star You Are! Mastering Stressful Moments so You can Truly Shine!
February 24-26th, 2025, in San Francisco!
Two Fantastic Breakout Sessions!
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Finding Joy: Reduce Stress, Break through Barriers, and Increase Your Own Personal Joy Factor, TODAY.
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Guiding Those Terrific Toddlers: Evidence-Based Strategies to Set Effective Limits and Get Toddlers to Follow Them!
March 7th, 2025 in Denver, Colorado
Breakout: From Timid to Tenacious - Working with Difficult Temperament Traits
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April 11th - 12th, 2025 in Whitewater, Wisconsin
Breakout: Working with Challenging Behaviors to Get the Behaviors You Want and Stop Those You Don't!” or “Preventing Challenging Behaviors: Why Children Misbehave and What You Can do About it.”
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April 24th - 26th, 2025 in Brainerd Lakes, Minnesota
Breakout: Delivering Influential and Impactful Adult Learning Experiences that Engage and Inspire
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Finding Joy Keynote - November 15, 2024
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Keynote: Finding Joy: Reduce Stress, Break through Barriers, and Increase Your Own Personal Joy Factor, TODAY.
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Breakout: Feisty, Lively, and Tenacious! Working with Difficult Temperament Traits to Help All Infants and Toddlers Succeed.
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September 19-20, 2024
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Keynote: Decrease Stress, Enhance Joy, and Increase Success, TODAY!
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Breakout Sessions: Why won't they Follow Through? Creating a Constructive, Caring, and Cohesive Caregiving Team
October 21st - 25th, 2024 in Honolulu!
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Keynote: Finding Joy! Celebrating, Embracing, and Enjoying Your Critical Role Inspiring Families
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Breakout Sessions: Why won't they Follow Through? Building Impactful and Transformative Relationships with Families AND Constructive Collaborations with Families: Communicating About Challenging Behaviors
Coming April 19-20th, 2024 in Menomonie, WI
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Keynote: Finding Joy - Reduce Stress, Break Through Barriers, and Set Boundaries So You Can Increase Your Joy Factor at Work and at Home!
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Breakout: Taming Those Terrific Toddlers! Evidence-Based Strategies to Set Effective Limits and Get Toddlers to Follow Them.
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Coming May 16-18th, 2024 to Syracuse, NY!
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Welcoming Keynote: Finding Joy - Reduce Stress, Break Through Barriers, and Set Boundaries So You Can Increase Your Joy Factor at Work and at Home!
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Breakout: Taming Those Terrific Toddlers! Evidence-Based Strategies to Set Effective Limits and Get Toddlers to Follow Them.
Just finished the sold out 2024 March conference in Morton, MN! What a blast!
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Keynote: Finding Joy - Reduce Stress, Break Through Barriers, and Set Boundaries So You Can Increase Your Joy Factor at Work and at Home!
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Breakout: Taming Those Terrific Toddlers! Evidence-Based Strategies to Set Effective Limits and Get Toddlers to Follow Them.
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Keynotes, Breakouts, Webinars, OH MY!
SMIF's investment and collaboration since 2015 has brought our region three Keynotes by Raelene, numerous breakout sessions, staff trainings, workplace education for parents, Early Childhood Initiative trainings and live webinar series that 100% of participants recommend! This season, we sold out every class offered - We truly are more together!
Years collaborating at the annual conference!
Breakout Sessions:
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For Leadership: Who me? Lead a Staff?!
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Promoting Self-Control and Attention Skills
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Collaborating with Families through Conflict and Differences in Caregiving Practices
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Leadership: Building a Strong Team
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Reducing and Addressing Toddler Aggression
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Concordia Early Childhood Conference
Years of full breakout sessions and the wonderful Payoff - the Big 2023 keynote Finding Joy!
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Gather and Grow Early Childhood Conference
Several Years - Both Virtual and In-Person
2018 Keynote In-Person: Mastering Stressful Moments
2019 Breakouts: Encouraging Emotional Intelligence and Promoting Healthy Self-Esteem
2020 Virtual Keynote: Finding Joy
2023 All-Staff Training: Decrease Stress, Enhance Joy, and Find Success, Today!
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Toddler breakout session
Breakout Session July 27th, 9:45-11:15am - Taming Those Terrific Toddlers: Setting effective limits and getting toddlers to follow them!
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NYAEYC PLI
2019 Professional Learning Institute ROCKED!
Evidence-based strategies to decrease stress, increase joy, and enhance your work as a trainer and coach
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ND Out-of-School-Time and Early Childhood Summit
Keynote and Breakouts 2023!
Finding Joy - Reduce Stress, Break Through Barriers, and Set Boundaries So You Can Increase Your Joy Factor at Work and at Home!
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Gather strategies when it is convenient for you with wonderful self-paced education.
OUR MISSION
SUPPORT
those caring for young children in a way that helps lower stress and increase success – both personally and professionally.
EMPOWER
early childhood professionals with realistic and effective tools and strategies that make this critical work easier and more fun.
ENGAGE
in important topics that make a significant difference.
INSPIRE
positive change with rewarding educational experiences that helps improve the future for us all.