Provider Insider, Spring 2025

As the weather warms up and flowers begin to bloom, we are excited to share the latest news,

activities, and important reminders from Clackamas CCR&R.

We are receiving requests for assistance in supporting children’s behavior that challenges

adults, a part of our work that can be both demanding and rewarding! Effective training often

involves understanding the root causes of the behavior, remaining patient, and using strategies

that guide the child toward more positive behavior.

I’d like to offer the following approaches for supporting children with behaviors that challenge

adults:

1. Understanding the Child's Needs:

• Children may exhibit challenging behavior due to unmet needs, such as hunger, fatigue, or the need for attention. Observing patterns can help identify these triggers.

• Assess the child's social, emotional, and developmental needs to determine if there are underlying factors influencing behavior.

2. Establishing Clear and Consistent Expectations:

• Set clear, age-appropriate rules and expectations, and communicate them consistently. Children thrive on routine and knowing what is expected.

• Use positive reinforcement to reward desirable behavior and remain consistent with consequences for misbehavior.

3. Using Positive Behavioral Strategies:

• Modeling: Demonstrate the behavior you wish to see in the child. Children often learn by example.
• Praise and Rewards: Reinforce positive behavior with praise or small rewards. Ensure the reinforcement is meaningful to the child.
• Time-in instead of Time-out: When children act out, instead of sending them away, "Time-In" —providing a calming, quiet space and talking about their feelings. This helps them regulate emotions and learn social skills.

4. Communication Techniques:

• Practice active listening and validate the child’s feelings. For example, saying “I see you're frustrated because…,” helps the child feel understood and builds emotional intelligence.
• Offer choices to give the child a sense of control over situations. For example, "Would you like to do this first or that first?"

5. Behavior Modification:

• Break down complex behaviors into smaller, manageable goals. Focus on one specific behavior at a time.
• Use reinforcement schedules (e.g., rewarding the child after a specific period or number of desired behaviors) to gradually reduce challenging behavior.

6. Seek Support and Training: Consider training in behavior management techniques. Training offered this quarter by CCR&R:

1. Childhood Mental Health: What It Is and Why it Matters
2. Give Me 5: 5 Key Practices to Prevent Challenging Behavior
3. Apoyando a Niños y Familias Que han Experimentado Trauma/Supporting Children & Families Who Experienced Trauma
4. СДВГ: Название стимула переменного внимания: Черта (VAST)/ADHD Variable Attention Stimulus Trait (Russian)
5. Calm the Storm: Transforming Emotional Breakdowns to Breakthroughs
6. Involucrando a las Familias en el Desarrollo de sus Hijos/Engaging Families in Their Child’s Development (Spanish)
7. Does Love Fix It All? The Power of Positive Guidance
8. Team Centered Approach for Difficult Behavior

7. Self-Care for Adults:

• Caring for a child with behaviors that challenge us can be emotionally draining. Ensure that you are also supported and have time to recharge. A calm and patient adult can more effectively address a child's needs.

Happy Spring!!

Sandy Meados, CCR&R Program Coordinator

Our Purpose

In the first five years of life, experiences and relationships stimulate children’s development, creating millions of connections in their brains. Their brains develop connections faster in the first five years than at any other time in their lives. Our hope is that these newsletters will give you tools to help support your child's social and emotional development and prepare your child to enter preschool and Kindergarten ready to learn!

The Pyramid Model

The Pyramid Model is a framework for supporting the social and emotional development of our children. The goal of the Pyramid Model is to create an environment where every child feels good about coming to school. We do this by designing classrooms that promote a child's interest in learning and by building positive relationships among children, families, and staff.

Why do we use the Pyramid Model? Click the links below to learn more.

English

Spanish

Supporting Your Child(ren) With Big and Small Transitions

For some young children, moving from one activity to another (e.g., playing with toys to dinner time, playing outside to bath time, watching a movie to brushing teeth), results in confusion, frustration, or challenging behaviors. Adults can help children predict what is coming next, which helps make transitions smoother

• Use a timer. Show the timer and say, “Five minutes of play, then dinner.”
• Provide a verbal warning that one activity is ending and another is about to begin (e.g., “We’ll finish this book, then brush our teeth and go to bed.”).
• Offer a transition object or toy. Ask your child if they would like to bring something with them (e.g., “How about if a truck comes in the car with us? I bet he would love to sit next to your car seat!”).
• Use first/then language. Try statements like:
  • “First, clean up your dishes, then we can play blocks together.”
  • “First, wash your hair, then play in the bath.”
• Use visual supports, such as a visual schedule, first/then board, or cue cards. You can download instructions and templates [here].
• Make transitions fun! If you need to leave the park, try:
  • “We can skip to the car.”
  • “Ride on my shoulders to the car.”
• Sing a silly or familiar song. Most children love music! Use technology to get creative—many personal devices and apps play clean-up songs (e.g., Alexa, Spotify), and YouTube has many transition songs and videos for preschoolers.
• Give your child a job during the transition. Children love to be helpers! Your child can:
  • Put napkins on the table while you get dinner ready.
  • Put all the shoes away when you get home.
  • Be the “checker” who makes sure everyone has their backpacks before leaving for school.

English

Spanish

Would you like to include more hands-on learning opportunities or field trips to your curriculum? Take a look at this resource guide that Clackamas CCR&R has put together for our providers! This resource guide is accessible year-round! Click here to find fun in your area!

When: Apr. 26, 9am-330pm & May 3, 9am-1pm

Where: all classes held on zoom

Language: Spanish

Cost: $60 (OCCD scholarships apply)

Trainer: Lucia Aleman

ORO information: Set 2, 3 HGD 3 hrs, LEC 6 hrs.

Trainer: Lucia Aleman

¡Únase a sus compañeros hispanohablantes para disfrutar de 3 clases de Lucía Alemán, todas relacionadas con la alfabetización! Es una excelente manera de aprender más y ganar horas ORO. Todas las clases en español/Todas las clases en español. Las clases son:

• Los libros de cuentos transformados cantan estructuras narrativas alternativas (86917)
• JARDINERÍA DE PALABRAS Cultivando palabras, fomentando la alfabetización y haciendo crecer el cerebro (86918)

• Más allá de los libros de cuentos: seis estructuras narrativas sensacionales (86919)

Join your Spanish speaking peers to enjoy 3 classes from Lucia Aleman all related to literacy! It's a great way to learn more and earn ORO hours. All classes in Spanish/Todas las clases en español. Classes are:

• Transforming Storybooks sing Alternative Story Structures (86917)
• WORD GARDENING Cultivating Words, Nurturing Literacy, and Growing the Brain (86918)
• Beyond Storybooks: Six Sensational Story Structures (86919)

When: May 1, 8, 15 & 29, 6pm-9pm

Where: all classes held on zoom

Language: English

Cost: $60 (OCCD scholarships apply)

ORO information: Set 2, UGB 12 hrs., ARC: IT & PS

Trainers: Aoife Magee, Joyce McCoy, Rhonda Schock & Ami Russell

Take a deep dive into Understanding and Guiding Behavior with these 4 Set 2 training in May. It's a great place to remember and refine your techniques and maybe even learn some new tricks! Classes are:

• Exploration of Developmentally Appropriate Practices and Theories of Guiding Behaviors (86920)
• Emotion Coaching for Young Children (86921)
• Developing Impulse Control in Young Children (86922)
• Built for Success Supporting Positive Behavior Through Intentional Program Design (86924).

When: May 6, 20, 27, Jun. 3 & 10, 6pm-9pm

Where: all classes held on zoom

Language: English

Cost: $100 (OCCD scholarships apply) (COST INCLUDES A COPY OF THE BOOK!)

ORO information: Set 3, DIV 3 hrs, FCS 3 hrs, HGD 3 hrs, LEC 2 hrs, & PPLD 1 hrs, ARC: n/a

Trainer: Kelley Lawson

Participants will critically examine the first 6 chapters of the book, Anti-Bias Education for Young Children & Ourselves by Louise Derman-Sparks & Julie Olsen Edwards helping children and families celebrate diversity & foster a sense of fairness for all. Participants will come away with a strong foundation of what "Anti-Bias Education" means and some tools to practice in their programs. Participants will receive a FREE copy of the book with their registration!

When: Jun. 5, 12, 19 & 26, 6pm-9pm

Where: all classes held on zoom

Language: English

Cost: $60 (OCCD scholarships apply)

ORO information: Set 3, DIV 3 hrs, FCS 3 hrs, HGD 3 hrs, LEC 2 hrs, & PPLD 1 hrs, ARC: n/a

Trainer: Aoifee Magee, Joyce McCoy & Lorena Rodriguez

Join us for this opportunity to participate in some classes that remind you to take care of your best asset to the classroom and children & families. What is that? It's YOU! We have some great trainers to take you on a journey to strengthen your Personal and Professional Development. Classes are:

• Self-care for the Caregiver Creating Balance While Caring for Young Children (86925)
• Applying the NAEYC Code of Ethics in Child Care Environments (86926)
• Professionalism in Child Care (87029)
• Ethics, Confidentiality, and Respecting Families (86927)

There are two paths to becoming a child care provider: becoming a Licensed Child Care Provider or become a Listed Child Care Provider with DHS. Read below to learn the benefits of each type of provider and what trainings each type of provider needs to complete.

As a licensed Family Licensed Child Care Provider, you can care for up to 10 children at one time. To become a licensed provider through Office of Child Care (OCC), you will need to attend a free, two part Introduction to Registered Family Child Care. Part 1 can be found online at Educadium. See dates below for Part 2. You will also need to complete the required Health and Safety Schedule listed below before applying (we offer two kinds of CPR, but you only need to take one).

Upcoming Introduction to Registered Family Child Care Part 2 sessions:

• Apr. 10, 9am-12pm (86751)
• May 8, 9am-12pm (86752)
• Jun. 12, 9am-12pm (86753)

Pre-registration required. Call us at Child Care Resource & Referral of Clackamas County at 503-675-4100 to register.

As a Regulated Subsidy DHS Listed Provider, you can care for up to 3 children at one time. Being “listed” throughEmployment Related Day Care (ERDC) Department of Human Services (DHS) means that you are approved to receive subsidy payment for child care of approved families. To become listed through DHS, you will need to attend a free, two part ODHS Child Care Provider Orientation. Part 1 can be found online at Educadium. See dates below for Part 2. Providers must be active and have received a letter telling them they need to take the ERDC/ODHS Child Care Provider Orientation, which we offer once per month. https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ASSISTANCE/CHILD-CARE/Pages/Provider-Listing.aspx

Upcoming sessions of ERDC Child Care Provider Orientation Part 2:

• Apr. 17, 9am-11am (86754)
• May 15, 9am-11am (85755)
• Jun. 18, 9am-11am (86756)

Pre-registration required. Call us at Child Care Resource & Referral of Clackamas County at 503-675-4100 to register.

Spark is Oregon's Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS). It is a voluntary program designed to support and recognize high quality early childhood care and education programs. Sign up for an introduction class today.

Upcoming sessions of Introduction to Spark:

• 4/16/25 6pm-8pm (87640)

• 4/21/25 6pm-8pm (Spanish) (87639)

• 5/19/25 6pm-8pm (Spanish) (87642)

• 5/21/25 6pm-8pm (87643)

• 6/16/25 6pm-8pm (Spanish) (87644)

• 6/18/25 6pm-8pm (87645)

Four trainings need to be taken before turning in Child Care Listing Form to ODHS.

• Introduction to Child Care Health & Safety: available on demand, free
• Foundations for Learning: available on demand, free
• Safe Sleep Packet: available on demand, free
• Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect: available on demand, free
• Food Handler Packet: available on demand, free. The Food Handler test can be taken online.
• CPR and First Aid Certification* Adult, Infant, and Child, $65. Upcoming classes:
• In-person CPR and First Aid Certification*
• CPR & First Aid Apr. 12, 9am-3pm (Spanish) (87006)
• CPR & First Aid May 17, 9am-3pm (86758)
• CPR & First Aid May 24, 9am-3pm (Spanish) (86760)
• Blended CPR and First Aid Certification* (First Aid online, CPR in person)
  
• CPR & First Aid Apr. 14, 630pm-830pm (86757)
• CPR & First Aid Jun. 9, 630pm-830pm (86761)

Click the links to learn more and register!

A key to the Oregon Registry Training codes is available below the list of upcoming trainings.

Please read our registration and training policies and distance learning policies and procedures before registering.

• DIV – Diversity
• FCS – Families & Community Systems
• HGD – Human Growth & Development
• LEC – Learning Environments & Curriculum
• OA – Observation & Assessment
• SN – Special Needs
• UGB – Understanding & Guiding Behavior
• HSN – Health Safety & Nutrition
• PPLD – Personal, Professional & Leadership Development
• PM – Program Management

• Set One training presents introductory knowledge. The purpose of these sessions is to provide an overview of basic principles, theories, and/or research. Participants are expected to gain basic, introductory knowledge of session topics.
• Set Two training presents intermediate knowledge. The purpose of these sessions is to build on previous knowledge by having professionals use what they have already learned and experienced to think in depth and to learn more. Session are developed assuming that participants already have basic knowledge of the subject in order to participate at this intermediate level of complexity.
• Set Three training presents advanced knowledge. The purpose of these sessions is to provide in-depth study of the session topic. Sessions provide opportunities for analysis, comparison, critical examination, evaluation, research, and/or practical study. Set Three participants are expected to already have significant and/or intermediate knowledge of and professional experience in the session topic.