From June 21-23, Banks Street’s Infant and Family Development and Early Intervention Program held the 29th Annual Infancy Institute conference with keynote speaker Laura Martin, ITFS. Martin, a mental health and disabilities specialist at Verner Center for Early Learning in Asheville, NC, shared how decoding children’s behavior can help caregivers make sense of what they see and hear.
Over the three-day conference, participants were able to take workshops that covered topics such as language and literacy; developing cognitive skills; home visiting; music; guidance; mathematical thinking; self-regulation; supporting staff; emergent curriculum; yoga; primary caregiving; and perspectives on early intervention. In her keynote speech, Martin explained how understanding behavior allows caregivers to make intentional decisions based on what infants and toddlers might be communicating, and be able to create strengths-based strategies for positive change.
Bank Street Infant & Family Development and Early Intervention Program was designed to support professional development to help improve the practice of those working with infants and toddlers. The conference addressed interdisciplinary needs in the many settings where infants, toddlers, and families interact with professionals. Highlighting cutting-edge research, development, relationship-based practice and family-centered care, the Institute has educated thousands of infant/toddler specialists from around the world.