Workshops

Providing interactive training workshops across the country, and beyond, Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen is known for educating children’s librarians and early childhood professionals by combining research findings with practical programming in an interactive and joyful atmosphere.

All training workshops are:

- - - Interactive
    - Research based
    - Practical for immediate implementation into your programming
    - Playful!

Our full day workshop options include:

Planning and Presenting High-Quality Early Literacy Programs using the MGOL Method

This interactive workshop will give you the tools to plan and facilitate the award winning, hands-on early literacy program, Mother Goose on the Loose, and increase the family engagement potential for your current programs. We will also explore the science regarding the human brain and early childhood development, and how your early childhood programs will positively impact children’s learning and family relationships.

Research suggests that learning is greatly multiplied by using the Whole Child Approach. This approach focuses not only on academic school readiness skills, but nurtures the foundation of the Whole Child including the critical components of safety, physical well-being, emotional and social growth.

Mother Goose on the Loose is an award winning early literacy program that is used in libraries around the county (and abroad) for parents with babies from birth to age two, although it has been successfully adapted for children up to age 5 as well. Easy to plan and easy to present, Mother Goose on the Loose seamlessly combines music, movement, books, rhymes, puppets, and fingerplays in fun ways that help children develop language and self-regulation skills.

Click here for short photo essay about a workshop in PA

Play Your Way to Literacy and STEM

Children learn through play; play is one of the five practices recommended in Every Child Ready to Read. Adults can also learn through play; in this workshop, participants sample playful activities while connecting them with learning opportunities and research that supports their value. Matching play with storytimes in appropriate ways and encouraging parents as play partners makes this workshop a valuable and joyous learning opportunity. Help children build social-emotional skills including self-regulation, problem solving, and mutual respect while providing opportunities for adult participants to also learn through play.

Click here for a brief look at a play worksho p

Storytime 101
Learn the basics of preschool storytime while exploring the scie nce and research around early literacy. Transform passive participation into active engagement. Use repetition in storytimes to stimulate multiple intelligences. Create developmentally appropriate strategies to build school readiness and executive function skills. Have fun learning how your work benefits the WHOLE child and builds 21st century skills.

Reaching Our Youngest Children and Their Families: Early Literacy in the NICU with MGOL Goslings*

This unique and interactive workshop provides an opportunity for those who work with children and families in libraries, early childhood settings, and hospitals to reach families with in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Future Goslings facilitators receive the tools and information needed to run this specialized, early language and literacy program for parents of premature babies in the NICU. Topics include the signals given by babies and how they can be interpreted, and helping parents and caregivers enhance the fragile premature baby/adult bond. Participants are given guidelines for finding a MGOL Goslings champion to partner with, along with a list of questions that need to be answered before tweaking Goslings to fit their unique NICU. Participants will also receive an exclusive MGOL Goslings handbook which includes songs and rhymes appropriate for NICU babies.

(*with Dr. Betsy and Dr. Brenda Hussey-Gardner)

for more information about this workshop click here

New Workshop:

Mother Goose on the Loose: Hatchlings (for expectant parents and parents with newborns

In surveys taken in the first three pilot years, one hundred percent of adults who attended Hatchlings’ sessions reported increased confidence regarding supporting their baby’s early literacy development (before and after birth)! Learn how to conduct these workshops that let parents know now important their early interactions with their babies are for brain development, show them joyous ways to share books even with the youngest babies, and give them songs, rhymes, and activities that can they continue doing with their children at home.

For more information about this NEW workshop, click here

Enhancing Storytime to Build Children’s Math Skills

Establish an early learning foundation based on the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of preschoolers, then learn some fundamentals that can be used to offer high-quality learning programs that include literacy, match, music and science concepts. Topic include, but are not limited to:

Brain development in young children
Early literacy skills (Every Child Ready to Read)
Creating safe and welcoming spaces for children and families
Storytime basics
Resources and professional development for library staff

(*with Dr. Betsy and Dr. Erica Zippert)

Our half day workshop options include:

Nurturing the Brain through Storytime (4 hours)

Using Musical Activities to Build Self-Esteem, Self-Regulation, and Other Readiness Skills (3 hours)

Mother Goose on the Loose® Refresher (4 hours)

MGOL Updated, Early Literacy Outreach, and Learning Through Play (4 hours)

**Tips and Tricks for Enhancing Storytime to Build Children’s Math Skills* (4 – 5 hours)**

(*with Dr. Betsy and Dr. Erica Zippert)

Bringing Songs and Rhymes Into Hospitals (2.5 hours)

Creating Connections (4 – 5 hours)

Specifically Designed for For Early Childhood Educators

Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen is a certified Early Childhood Education trainer via Mother Goose on the Loose, LLC by the Maryland State Department of Education.

Using Songs and Rhymes in Playful Ways to Build Early Literacy and Self-Regulation Skills (6 hours – Course ID# MG-12272018-01)

Play Your Way to Literacy: Research, Practical Suggestions, and Activities for Playful Learning. (6 hours – Course ID# MG-04222019-02)

Playful Strategies to Nurture the Brain While Building Early Literacy and Self-Regulation Skills (3 hours – Course# MG-04222019-01)

Other Workshops for Childcare Providers (presented in other states):

Nurturing the Brain through Storytime (4 hours)

The Hows and Whys of Reading to Babies (3 hours)

Booking Information:

In addition to these workshops, Betsy can tailor a workshop to fit your needs. She is also available for consulting and training. For more information, please send an email to info@mgol.org.

MGOL training workshops can be customized to meet the needs of your target audience. Materials purchased in bulk for workshops will be provided for a discounted price.

Cost

A Full-Day Workshop with Betsy costs $3000 per day plus an all-inclusive fee of $1000 for travel, meals and lodging. (Travel to the West Coast is a $1500 all-inclusive fee)

Please contact Betsy for prices of Full-Day Workshops with more than one presenter.

Half-Day Workshops are $2000 plus expenses.

Cancellation Policy

- - Trainings cancelled within one calendar month notice will be billed in full including any applicable travel expenses.
  - Trainings cancelled in advance of one calendar month will be billed for any incurred travel expenses.
  - Workshop fees for cancellation of trainings due to severely inclement weather may be waived on the condition that the training is rescheduled; host is responsible for any incurred travel expenses.

E-mail info@mgol.org or call 443.928.3915 for more information.

Click here for a video from a MGOL workshop with childcare providers and childrens’ museum staff.