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Adapting to the Challenging Behaviors in Your Classroom

This course gives early childhood educators practical, evidence-based strategies for supporting neurodivergent preschool children. Participants learn to design developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support growth across every developmental domain and to build classrooms where all children can participate, belong, and succeed. Topics include inclusive practices, child development, sensory integration, communication, positive behavior support, school readiness, and partnering with families. Content is shaped by participant needs and interests, so educators leave with approaches they can put to work right away in home, school, and community settings.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Plan safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments using developmentally appropriate practice and research-based strategies, including sensory and communication supports for neurodivergent children. (CKC 2.5, 4.4, 4.6, 6.2)
  • Organize physical space, materials, activities, routines, and classroom management so they work together to create an effective learning environment. (CKC 1.6)
  • Explain how cognitive development, content knowledge and skills, general learning competencies, social-emotional development, physical development, and health interact to shape learning, and use that understanding to design whole-child learning experiences. (CKC 1.7)
  • Apply strategies that promote social-emotional development and self-regulation while preventing and responding to challenging behaviors. (CKC 1.7, 1.8)
  • Adapt instruction and family engagement to support children from varied family structures, socioeconomic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, cultures, and languages. (CKC 1.9)
  • Build positive, consistent relationships with children that model and foster social-emotional skills and problem-solving. (CKC 4.7, 6.2)

Upcoming Classes

Class Location

Class Dates
Time
Location
Cost
  • Nov 5, 2026 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Marion
$0
Register

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Contact: Michael Paulsen, mpaulsen2@ivytech.edu

Costs may vary by location given differences in the cost of supplies and class provider.