The Twelth Annual

Early Childhood Education Symposium

Hosted ByThe Summit Country Day School

Sponsored by Drs. Renee and Michael Kreeger

8 a.m. RegistrationThe Summit Country Day School, Kyte Theater

8:30 a.m. Welcome, Kyte TheaterRich Wilson, Head of School, The Summit Country Day

School

8:45 a.m. Keynote Address, Kyte TheaterMaureen Healy

The Emotionally Healthy Child, Helping Children

Calm, Center, and Make Smarter Choices

Small children have big feelings and oftentimes they

don’t know what to do with them. Helping children

learn to identify, regulate and constructively express

their feelings is critical. Learn tools you can use both

at home and in the classroom to help children stop,

calm and make smarter choices, especially when

emotionally challenged is essential to any child’s

healthy development. Author Maureen Healy will share

practical advice that is both accessible and potentially

transformative for the child, the parent, and their

relationship.

Maureen Healy Biography

Maureen Healy is an award-winning author, speaker

and leader in the field of children’s emotional health.

Her latest book, “The Emotionally Healthy Child,”

gives adults the ideas and strategies they need to

help their children. Maureen also writes a popular

blog for Psychology Today, which has reached millions

worldwide. In 2014, Maureen’s first book, “Growing

Happy Kids,” is winner of the Nautilus and Reader’s

Favorite book awards.

With over 15 years of experience, Maureen has

counseled thousands of parents and their children,

worked with educators globally, taught in the classroom

and given keynote talks throughout North America,

Schedule of Events and Session Information

Europe and Asia. She’s also made apperances on

Seattle’s “New Day Northwest” morning show, AOL’s

“The Fatherhood Project” with Hank Azaria, Forbes.

com and Scholastic magazine.

Maureen’s educational credentials include a B.A. and

M.B.A. from Clark University in Worcester, MA and a

Ph.D. in Child Clinical Psychology at Fielding Graduate

University in Santa Barbara, CA. Additionally, Maureen

has studied with happiness teachers globally, which has

bolstered her joy immensely. She says, “Life is never

boring,” especially as she continues to learn from every

experience and person she meets.

Please note, after the Keynote presentation, attendees

will relocate to the Lower School for sessions.

Volunteers are available to lead you to the Lower

School. Attendees are invited to join us for a light

snack in the Kyte Theater Lobby beginning at 11 a.m.

Maureen Healy will conclude the program with a

general session beginning at 11:15 a.m. followed by a

book signing at 12:30 p.m.

10 a.m. Session Block 1

The Importance of Being Little

Lower School Room 212, Floor 2

Lauren Guip, M.Ed., Lead Faculty Member, Montessori

School, The Summit Country Day School

Parents are their children’s first teachers and how

you respond to them matters. Given the overflow of

parenting advice from every corner of the internet,

it’s often difficult for parents to discern what advice is

helpful and supported by legitimate data, and what

is based on opinion and the cultural and societal

expectations of our time. This session will inform

attendees about the kind of support, guidance and

conversations your children need from you to develop

curiosity, resilience, cognitive flexibility and empathy.

Having Difficult Conversations with your Child,

Lower School Library, Room 120, Floor 1

Mike Johnson, M.Ed., Lower and Middle School

Director, The Summit Country Day School

Having difficult conversations with children can be

challenging; however, if we create the time and space

while they are young, they grow to trust and look

forward to these talks later. During this session we

will discuss how to prepare yourself and your child for

difficult conversations. Topics discussed will include

death, divorce, moving, school violence and tragedies

they may see on television, social media, and or hear

from other children. We will explore ways to be

an active listener while also providing support and

guidance. Finally, we will discuss how to close the

conversation by leaving the door open to revisit it later.

Creative Problem Solving & Thinking Activities:

Fun and Games You Can Use Now, Lower School

Science Lab, Room 209, Floor 2

Kirstin McEachern, Ph.D., Assistant Head of School for

Academic Affairs & Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator,

The Summit Country Day School

Complex problem solving, critical thinking, and

creativity are the top three skills students need in our

future marketplace, according to the World Economic

Forum. We can start developing these skills in our

children now by introducing them to creative problem-

solving in age-appropriate ways that will serve them

well as they grow. Learn how you embed creativity and

problem-solving into your children and students’ lives?

In this hands-on session, we will explore the Creative

Problem-Solving model and play some creativity games

and engage in short exercises to flex our creative

muscles. These excercises can be replicated for use with

children.

It’s OK to Turn Off Your Kids,

Lower School Montessori Library, Room 16,

Ground Floor

Kathy Scott, M.Ed., R.N., Director Montessori School,

The Summit Country Day School

Are you concerned with the amount of time your child

spends in front of a screen playing on a phone, iPad

or other electronic devices? The American Academy of

Pediatrics (AAP) recently changed its recommendation

of onscreen time for young children. This session is

intended to inform and be a resource for parents. We

will examine the rationale behind this decision based on

child development, current evidence of the effects on

brain development, and recommendations for how to

follow the A.A.P. guidelines.

11 a.m. Break, Please pick up a light snack in the Kyte Theater Lobby

11:15 a.m. General Session, Kyte Theater Maureen Healy, Keynote

Science of Happier Children

We all want to raise and teach happier children, but

the question is always how? Maureen demystifies the

keys to becoming happier with a focus on compassion

in the classroom or at home and shares the latest

scientific findings as to what leads children toward

and away from their deepest joy. Maureen also covers

the latest findings on digital devices, trauma and how

everyday habits can be developed in the classroom to

help children build resilience and cultivate healthier

emotions.

12:30-1:30 p.m. Book Signing, Kyte TheaterMaureen Healy will be available to sign her book, “The

Emotionally Healthy Child.”

Early Childhood Education Speakers

Lauren Guip

Lauren received a Bachelor of Arts in English/Journalism from Miami University and her Master of Montessori

Education from Xavier University in Cincinnati. She is currently a lead teacher in the Academic Program for 3-to-

6 year-old’s at The Summit Country Day School, where her 5-year-old son Oliver and 19-month-old daughter

Mira attend. This is Lauren’s eleventh year at The Summit. Lauren is passionate about supporting the Montessori

philosophy at home with children and researching best practices in early childhood education.

Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s

degree in pastoral counseling and moral theology from the Athenaeum of Ohio. He has been an educator for

over 27 years. He has served as a school counselor, teacher and administrator. He has worked in a K-8 setting, a

9-12 setting, a 5-8 setting and is now serving as the Lower and Middle School Director at The Summit Country Day

School. Mike views the world through lenses heavily influenced by Dr. William Glasser. Mike has been trained in

Reality Therapy, Choice Theory and Lead Management.

Kirstin McEachern

Kirstin is the Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs and Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion at The

Summit Country Day School. She has a bachelor’s degree in English, from Loyola Marymount University; a master’s

of teaching degree in English, University of New Hampshire; and Ph.D., in curriculum and instruction from Boston

College. An alumna of the Future Problem-Solving Program International, she is developing the creative problem-

solving curriculum for The Summit. She was an adjunct professor of English and education courses at Boston

College, Loyola Marymount University and Marian Court College. Her research has been published in Teachers

College Record, Journal of Education and The Educational Forum.

Kathy Scott

Kathy is the Director of the Montessori Program at The Summit Country Day School. She has a Master of

Education in Early Childhood with Montessori three-to-six certification through Xavier University and a Bachelor

of Science in Nursing from Webster University in St. Louis. She designed The Summit’s signature Early Enrichment

Program for 3- and 4-year-olds, which provides in-depth exploration of topics such as geography, anatomy and

biomes. Recently, she has expanded the Montessori Toddler Program to include full-day options for children 18

– 36 months old. She previously served as the Coordinator of Summer Exploration, initiating Montessori summer

classes for ages three to six, creating a day camp program for ages three to eight, broadening the curriculum in

educational and enrichment summer classes and maintaining a wide variety of sports camps for age three to 18.

Music ignites all areas of child development. It helps the body and mind work together. Ignite your baby’s body and mind while experiencing music and movement activities together. Research in early childhood development supports the idea that early music edu-cation has lifelong benefits including language development, listening and memory skills, problem solving, coordination and self-expression. Activities in these classes are designed to stimulate your baby’s mind and body and can be replicated at home. In this special class aimed at the youngest musician, you and your child will strengthen your everlasting bond while exploring age-appropriate instruments, songs, stories, movement and dance.

Music and Movement ClassesBirth to 24 months • Parent and child classes

Our program is led by Donna Dirksing Doran, elementary music specialist at The Summit.

• B.A. in Music Education and a M.M. in Music Education

• Specialization in Orff-Schulwerk

• Holds all three levels of certification in Orff-Schulwerk as wellas Kindermusik training

• Frequent presenter of workshops and clinics at the local,state, and national levels.

• Former Education Director, Host and Assistant Manager for Linton Music’sPeanut Butter and Jam Sessions.

All classes are parent and child classes. Parents can choose from ONE of the following three class meeting options. Classes will be held in The Summit Country Day School Lower School:

Class Options

www.summitcds.org/igknight

RegisterGo to www.summitcds.org/igknight to register and for additional details. Call (513) 871-4700 ext. 261 for information. Classsizes are limited, so sign up today!

RegisterNow!

Session IIRegistration

Begins Dec. 2

Session IIIRegistration

Begins March 16

FULLSession I – Music and Minds • Fee: $215Monday 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. - Sept. 9 - Dec. 16Monday 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. - Sept. 9 - Dec. 16Wednesday 9 - 9:45 a.m. - Sept. 11 - Dec. 18

Session II – Sing and Play • Fee: $215Monday 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. - Jan. 6 - April 6Monday 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. - Jan. 6 - April 6Wednesday 9 - 9:45 a.m. - Jan. 8 - April 8

Session III – Let’s Play in May! • Fee: $90Monday 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. - April 20 - May 18Monday 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. - April 20 - May 18Wednesday 9 - 9:45 a.m. - April 22 - May 20

Special Thanks To

Sponsored by Drs. Renee and Michael KreegerSymposium Presenters, The Summit Parent Ambassadors, Office of Admission, Technology Department, Maintenance Department, Communications Department, Dining Services, Theater Department, the Early Childhood Education Committee

CEU Request Forms are available at the Summit table located in the lobby of Kyte Theater beginning at 11 a.m. Those requesting CEU’s must provide an email address in order to receive CEU’s. Please return your completed CEU form to The Summit table at the end of the day. CEU certificates will be processed and emailed by November 20. If you are leaving the Symposium early, please give it to a member of The Summit volunteer corps who will verify sessions attended.

About the Symposium As a leader in early childhood education, The Summit Country Day School annually hosts a free community-wide symposium featuring national, regional and local experts in childhood learning. Gathering these thought leaders under one roof on the same day allows parents of children from birth to age 10 to quickly learn more about important and timely topics. Each year, a keynote address is followed by breakout sessions. The keynote speech for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 is sponsored by Summit parents, Drs. Renee and Michael Kreeger. As one of a few schools in Greater Cincinnati which offers an academic Montessori program for 18 month olds, The Summit is committed to quality early childhood education and the notion that “Parenting Matters” in that education.

Now accepting applications for Fall 2020

VISIT THE SUMMITParent Preview Day

(Age 18 months - Grade 8)Wednesday, November 13 • 8:30 a.m.

Montessori Information Sessions (Age 18 months - K)

Dec. 5, Jan. 8, Feb. 6, Mar. 3 and April 7 • 8:30 a.m.

Grades K-8 Parent Preview DayTuesday, January 28 • 8:30 a.m.

RSVP required. Please call (513) 871-4700 ext. 261 or email

admissions@summitcds.org

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