Why do they do that (and what do I do)?

An introduction that helps you understand what is happening in a child’s body and mind when they are exhibiting challenging behaviors in your classroom. They key to supporting them could be in how you respond. Target Audiences: Program directors, classroom teachers, clinicians, home visitors

Attendance Incentive: To earn these Attendance Incentives, participants MUST complete both the pre-training survey and the post- training survey.

• Earn In-Classroom Support Hours: When at least one staff member from your program attends a minimum 3 out of 5 programs in this series, you will receive 10 hours of on-site inclusive consultation from Possibilities Northeast. The PNE staff will work with the teachers to help them take the skills they learned in these sessions and more deeply integrate them in the classroom.
• Earn Classroom Materials: For each session attended, participants will earn $$$ to purchase classroom materials from either Lakeshore or PlayTherapySupply.com. At the end of the series, participants will be notified of the funds available to them, and will work through NEIECC to order items they need for their classroom.

Session 1: We Live Inside a Body

Thursday, October 1, 2026, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Community Learning Center, Reception Room, Second Floor (401 E Diamond St, Kendallville, IN 46755 - Entrance at on Riley St.)

Register Here

As early childhood educators, you likely experience behaviors each day that challenge your patience and test your skills. But what is behind these behaviors? Get to the root of what is really going on by understanding what’s happening inside a child’s body, and how your body reacts. At “We Live Inside a Body” the first in a series of FREE early intervention training, you will learn why it’s critical to create routines and environments to help children succeed.

OBJECTIVES: By participating in this workshop, professionals will be able to:

1. Identify and describe multiple causes of challenging behavior.
2. Explain what is meant by the expression “We Live Inside a Body”
3. Illustrate how the expression “rule out medical causation” would be applied in an early childhood setting
4. Reflect on current beliefs and practices related to challenging behaviors
5. Create and discuss a new practice or activity to utilize a classroom setting that takes into consideration body related behavior causes.

Session 2: Rethinking Stress/The Fascinating Developing Brain

Thursday, October 29, 2026, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., DeKalb YMCA, 533 North St, Auburn, IN 46706

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By now we’ve all learned that stress is not good for our body or for our brains. So, can anything good come from stress? That’s the question we will be asking and answering in this workshop. We’ll begin this workshop by examining what we currently know about stress. We’ll discuss the types of stress, the effects on our physiology and behavior. And, then participants will be introduced to a new way to think about stress. There is an amazing mind body connection that is beginning to be researched and identified. Let’s talk about it. Let’s find ways to harness this new way of thinking about stress. This workshop will conclude with practical, user-friendly strategies. ** OBJECTIVES:** By participating in this workshop, professionals will be able to:

1. Explain the stress response system
2. Describe the impact of stress on the body, the brain and behavior
3. Illustrate the interaction of biological, psychological and social variables as impacting a young child’s behavior and development
4. Practice co-regulation techniques
5. Discuss ways to apply the new ways of thinking about stress in their classroom settings.

Session 3: Through the Lens of Sensory Processing

Thursday, November 19, 2026, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Steuben County Economic Development Partnership, 903 S Wayne Street, Suite 100, Angola, IN 46703

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All behavior has meaning! Understanding the ways in which children take in, process, and respond to sensory information enables teachers to have an alternative lens through which to observe and interpret behavior, as well as to enhance their curriculum and environmental design. In this workshop participants will learn about the “lesser known” sensory systems, the interrelated components of sensory processing and the concepts of sensory modulation and sensory threshold. Time will also be spent discussing the possible meanings of specific behaviors and, more importantly, how to help the children who demonstrate these behaviors.

OBJECTIVES: By participating in this workshop, professionals will be able to:

1. Identify and describe the 8 sensory systems.
2. Explain the contributions of the vestibular and proprioceptive systems make on overall development
3. Identify and describe the five interrelated components of sensory processing
4. Describe the concept of a neurological threshold
5. Create and discuss sensory processing strategies that can be used in the classroom to support optimal development and learning.

Session 4: Anatomy of a Meltdown

Thursday, December 10, 2026, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., LaGrange County Innovation Center, 2500 Ventura Way, LaGrange, IN 46761

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It’s easy to get overwhelmed, frustrated and even angry when a child is having a meltdown. This experience is hard for both the person having the meltdown, as well as for anyone present at the time. In this workshop, we will begin with a brief review of the stress response system and an introduction to sensory processing. Building upon this information, participants will learn what happens to the body when feeling overwhelmed, under attack, hijacked and helpless. Three distinct stages of a meltdown will be described and discussed beginning with the identification of some triggers, signs and symptoms that may indicate a meltdown is starting. Appropriate prevention and intervention strategies at each stage will be provided and discussed. By understanding the anatomy of a meltdown everyone who cares for and/or works with young children with these types of challenges will be better equipped to understand what a child’s behavior might mean and offer help and support during these difficult times.

OBJECTIVES: By participating in this workshop, professionals will be able to:

1. Describe the differences between a tantrum and a meltdown
2. Explain the stress response system as it relates to meltdowns
3. Identify meltdown triggers through a sensory processing lens
4. Prepare prevention and intervention strategies appropriate to each of the three stages of a meltdown
5. Summarize the “big ideas” that stood out to them that fostered alternative thinking from prior to attending this workshop.

Session 5: Why do they do that and could it be me?

Thursday, January 21, 2026, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Community Learning Center, Reception Room, Second Floor (401 E Diamond St, Kendallville, IN 46755 - Entrance at on Riley St.)

Register Here

Have you ever found yourself asking the question, “Why do they do that?” Do you ever wonder why some of your best techniques work with some kids and not others? In this workshop, we will take the position that all behavior has meaning. And, that it is our job as adults who work with and/or care for young children to figure out what the child’s behavior is telling us. Participants will be introduced to a variety of ways to think about behaviors that are confusing and/or causing problems. We’ll specifically look at the role of emotions in development as well as environmental influences. Participants will be encouraged to understand the ways in which their own personality and temperaments may influence a child to behave in certain ways. There will be something in this workshop for everyone who knows, loves, or works with a child about whom you ask, “Why does he do that?” Come! We’ll laugh as we learn together.

OBJECTIVES: By participating in this workshop, professionals will be able to:

1. Discuss behavior as communication and/or having meaning
2. Describe multiple perspectives as to why a child behaves the way they do
3. Explain the relationship between adult’s actions and behaviors and a child’s behavior
4. Analyze case examples through multiple lenses
5. Reflect and discuss current beliefs and practices through the lens of contextual variables (language, culture, environmental, etc.)