If you are employed in a state that uses a registry to track professional development hours, you will be able to provide your registry ID (Stars, MOPID, Registry or other ECE ID#) after you have completed the quiz for the course. If you pass the quiz we will report your course completion to the state registry using the registry ID that you provide.

Discover the Connect the Dots (CTD) approach to understanding and responding to challenging behaviors while building young children’s social and emotional skills. Designed for early childhood educators, this course introduces a four-step process for promoting positive behavior, creating supportive learning environments, and using effective positive discipline strategies. Through practical instruction and real-world examples, participants will learn to recognize developmentally appropriate behaviors, identify red flags, and foster positive outcomes for children. Course length – 6.0 hours.

This course helps answer the following questions:

• What are social and emotional best practices?

• What early childhood environments that promote positive outcomes for children?

• Which challenging behaviors are developmentally appropriate and which are red flags?

• How can a predictable schedule, organized routines and transitions, and age-appropriate physical environment improve a child’s behavior?

• What are 7 positive discipline techniques that teach children how to handle their feelings and needs in appropriate ways?

Participants who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Identify and describe the four “dots” used to address challenging behaviors with 80% accuracy on the course assessment.

• Identify at least three ways to create a supportive, predictable, and developmentally appropriate environment for young children.

• Select at least three strategies that encourage positive behavior and strengthen children’s social-emotional skills.

• Identify at least three positive-discipline techniques that help children express their feelings and meet their needs appropriately.

• Develop at least three strategies for recognizing and building upon each child’s unique strengths.