Having a classroom pet is valuable in many ways. Children learn early science concepts, practice nurturing behavior, and gain responsibility. But what do you do and how do you react when a classroom pet dies? Children commonly ask: "What is dead? Will it happen to me? Will it happen to you?" This workshop will help teachers understand what death means to young children and will provide them with techniques to remain emotionally available to comfortably discuss these difficult feelings. 

What are the three key ingredients of self-esteem? How do boys and girls differ in building healthy self-esteem? How can adults help or hinder the process? These are some of the questions that will be explored as we examine the factors that help determine whether a child becomes confidently secure and connected in the world or tentative and insecure. Positive self-esteem can help a child navigate social pressures and is one of the major antidotes to being bullied. 

Social conflicts often are expressed by angry feelings and lead to aggressive and hurtful behavior. In this workshop teachers will learn ways to empower young children to understand the social problem, explore alternative solutions, and find socially acceptable behavior to deal with their anger and frustration.