Empowering early childhood educators worldwide with evidence-based strategies, practical tools, and joyful learning
Infants and toddlers experience the most rapid brain development of any stage of life, yet professionals serving this age group often have fewer opportunities for age-specific training than preschool staff.
At the same time, infant and toddler educators—including those working in Early Head Start—are particularly vulnerable to stress, burnout, and turnover because of the unique developmental, emotional, and caregiving demands of working with very young children in group settings.
The Inspiring Terrific Toddlers series equips Early Head Start and other infant/toddler professionals with practical, evidence-based strategies to understand toddler behavior, reduce challenging interactions, increase cooperation, and strengthen relationships with children and families.
Toddlers are learning at an incredible pace—and the adults around them matter.
Our trainings help educators and caregivers better understand what’s happening beneath the big feelings, big behaviors and big developmental leaps, so they can respond with greater confidence, connection and intention.
Inspiring Terrific Toddlers Part 1:
Why Do They Do That?
Promoting Development to Reduce Frustrating Behaviors
Toddlers are curious, energetic, and constantly exploring—but their intense emotions, impulsive behavior, and emerging self-regulation skills can also create challenging moments for adults. Why do toddlers push, grab, scream, or demand attention?
This engaging session helps educators understand toddler behavior through a developmental lens. Participants explore what is happening in the toddler brain, how typical development drives behaviors adults may find challenging, and how to distinguish between developmentally expected behavior and behavior that requires additional support. Through relatable stories, video examples, and real-life classroom situations, educators learn practical, research-informed strategies to reduce power struggles, support regulation, and increase cooperation.
Inspiring Terrific Toddlers Part 3:
Effective Guidance Strategies for Persistent Challenging Behaviors in Group Care Settings
Even when prevention strategies and positive communication are in place, some behaviors continue to be intense, persistent, and difficult to redirect. Throwing, kicking, climbing, grabbing toys, and refusing adult direction can leave caregivers feeling frustrated and unsure of what to try next.
This advanced, highly practical session focuses on what to do when foundational strategies aren't enough. Participants explore eight targeted guidance strategies for persistent challenging behaviors and apply them to real-life situations through guided problem-solving, video, and peer discussion. With an emphasis on understanding behavior as communication, maintaining connection during escalation, and using clear, consistent guidance, educators build a deeper toolkit for responding with confidence, clarity, and calm.
From Timid To Tenacious - Working With Infant And Toddler Temperament Traits
Discover helpful strategies for working with infants and toddlers who are extremely intense, persistent, sensitive, timid, and highly active. Gain tips to help infants and toddlers not only behave well but also develop the skills needed to thrive.
CDA III: Positive ways to support children’ social and emotional development
From “SCREECH” To “More Please” - Fostering Communication Skills in Infants and Toddlers
Gain insight into infants and toddlers develop the critical language skills needed to avoid screaming, throwing food, and other negative behaviors. Explore the tremendous difference adults can make in this advancement.
CDA II: Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development
Inspiring Terrific Toddlers Part 2:
Evidence-Based Strategies to Set Effective Limits and Get Toddlers to Follow Them!
Setting limits with toddlers can be challenging, especially when expectations don't match what young children are developmentally ready to do. This interactive session explores practical, evidence-based strategies and small shifts adults can make to support learning, connection, and cooperation while reducing power struggles.
Participants learn an easy four-step process for getting toddlers to follow adult directions, explore how to set realistic limits, and identify the common factors that can fuel toddler battles. They’ll also gain practical communication techniques, positive guidance strategies, and hands-on tools for teaching toddlers what to do—not simply telling them what not to do. A Positive Behavior Intervention Support process based on National Pyramid Model trainings gives participants an opportunity to apply these strategies to real toddler challenges.
Inspiring Terrific Toddlers Part 4:
Communicating Concerns and Challenges with Infant and Toddler Families
Talking with families about challenging behaviors or developmental concerns can be one of the most uncomfortable parts of working with infants and toddlers. Even when concerns are shared with the child's best interests at heart, families may question observations, become defensive, or worry about what the behavior means for their child.
This final session provides practical, relationship-centered strategies for navigating these sensitive conversations while remaining calm, confident, and connected. Participants learn how to set the stage for productive conversations, understand why families may hesitate or become defensive, and use language that keeps families open and engaged. They’ll gain practical strategies for discussing concerns, responding to questions or disagreement, and inviting families into problem-solving—turning potentially difficult conversations into opportunities for trust, collaboration, and stronger partnerships.
Hitting, Kicking, and Biting, OH MY! Top Tips to Address Toddler Aggression
Gain strategies to help toddlers during challenging moments and bolster the skills needed to express emotions appropriately, reduce aggressive behaviors, and increase calm for all in your care environment.
CDA III: Positive ways to support children’ social and emotional development
Hitting, Kicking, and Biting, OH MY!
Top Tips to Address Toddler Aggression
Gain methods to help infants construct the brain pathways needed to thrive. Explore the amazing things infants are observing and learning about the world around them. Identify caregiving strategies that promote optimal growth and development through sensitive and responsive care. Collect methods to foster trust with helpful routines that reduce upset and promote the infant’s ability to soothe and calm.
CDA VIII: Principles of Child Development and Learning