Services

Dr. Christy Isbell has used research and books to develop a variety of customizable presentations. Her practical ideas and energetic presentation styles will keep you active and involved! Any Keynote or Training can be custom tailored to meet the educational needs and interests of your group. Trainings can take place on site or at professional conferences. Presentations can be designed to fit a variety of length times, and are appropriate for early childhood educators, early childhood special educators, administrators, OT, PT, SLP and educational psychologists or counselors. Below are selected topics for Keynote Presentations and Training.

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Keynotes

 

Sensory Integration: What every preschool teacher should know!

Learn about the brain process, sensory integration, and how it is related to young children’s development. The participants will receive simple, easy-to-use solutions to address the sensory needs of young children in preschool and pre-K settings. Many of these ideas will improve the environment for ALL children, not just those who have sensory processing problems. Red flags for the identification of preschoolers who have sensory processing problems and are “sensory seekers” or “sensory avoiders” will be revealed. Specific recommendations to assist early childhood educators will be provided. This presentation is based on the award-winning book, Sensory Integration: A Guide for Preschool Teachers (2007).

Sensory Integration: Practical Tips for Meeting the Sensory Needs of Young Children

Learn about the brain process, sensory integration, and how it is related to young children’s development. Red flags for the identification of toddlers, preschoolers, pre-K and kindergarten age children who have sensory processing problems and are “sensory seekers” or “sensory avoiders” will be revealed. Receive practical, easy-to-use solutions that will address the sensory needs of young children. Gain a new perspective on teaching young children and gather ideas that will improve the learning environment for all young children!

 
 
 

Why can’t he sit still? A Sensory Integration Approach for the “Overactive” Preschooler

Participants will learn about the brain process, sensory integration, and how it is related to preschoolers who appear to be “overactive.” Red flags for the identification of preschoolers who have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and are “vestibular seekers” will be presented. Participants will receive practical, easy-to-use solutions to address challenging behaviors such as impulsivity, risk-taking, and constant movement (for example, fidgeting, wiggling, or rolling around). Many of the suggestions may be used to improve the learning environment for all young children. This presentation is based on the award-winning book, Sensory Integration: A Guide for Preschool Teachers (2007).

Mighty Fine Motor Fun!  Developmentally Appropriate Ways to Encourage Fine Motor Skills in Young Children

This presentation will provide information on fine motor development and its vital connection to learning in early childhood. Fine motor milestones for three-, four- and five-year-old children will be discussed. Answers to teachers’ “most-asked” questions about fine motor development will be provided. The presenter will offer suggestions for the selection and use of tools and materials for fine motor activities. The presenter will demonstrate innovative fine motor activities that can be easily implemented with preschoolers. These activities will support young children’s achievement of state standards for fine motor development in the most effective and developmentally appropriate manner. This presentation is based on the book, Mighty Fine Motor Fun (2010).

 

Calm and Focused: Sensory integration techniques to encourage self-regulation skills

Participants will learn how sensory integration is related to challenging behaviors that young children may demonstrate in learning environments. Sensory integration techniques for managing challenging behaviors including over-activity, inattentiveness, and physical aggression will be presented. Participants will learn simple, easy-to-use ways to support preschoolers’ development of self-regulation, an important life skill related to attention, behavior, and social-emotional development. Suggestions for practical ways to modify the environment to help young children be more actively engaged in the learning process will also be described.

Building Self-Regulation in Infants and Toddlers from a Sensory Integration Perspective

Self-regulation is an important aspect of social-emotional and cognitive development that begins in infancy. A child’s self-regulation skills are related to their participation in learning, daily life activities, and social experiences. Learn innovative ways of understanding infants’ and toddlers’
development of self-regulation skills and practical ideas for designing and implementing an environment to promote self-regulation. Discover evidence-based strategies that incorporate sensory integration principles with developmentally appropriate practice. Gain practical solutions for challenging behaviors of infants and toddlers such as: difficulty sleeping, poor feeding, physical aggression, and over-activity.

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Training

 

Designing Environments for Inclusive Preschool Settings

Participants in this session will hear how and why Learning Centers work effectively in inclusive early childhood settings.  Special Considerations for methods of designing and introducing Learning Centers with young children who have special needs will be discussed.  Participants will receive ideas for learning objectives, props, learning activities and literacy suggestions for specific learning centers.  These methods will help participants utilize Learning Centers effectively in all preschool settings.  Information from this presentation is based on the Gryphon House publication, The Inclusive Learning Centers Book for Preschoolers with Special Needs

Designing learning environments for preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder: A Sensory Integration Approach

The purpose of this presentation is to assist participants in identifying ways to design positive learning environments for young children with autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder. Participants will learn about sensory integration and why educators must consider all aspects of the sensory environment. Specific strategies and modifications to encourage the young child to be calm, focused, and engaged in the classroom will be described.

 

Designing learning environments for elementary school age children with autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder: A Sensory Integration Approach

The purpose of this presentation is to assist participants in identifying ways to design positive learning environments for children with autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder. At least 85% of children with autism have a sensory processing disorder as well. Participants will learn about sensory integration and why educators must consider all aspects of the sensory environment and how that impacts learning. Specific strategies and modifications to encourage the child to be active and focused participants in the inclusive classroom environment will be described.

Calm and Focused: Sensory integration techniques to encourage participation from elementary school age children who demonstrate challenging behaviors

Participants will learn how sensory integration is related to challenging behaviors that children who have autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder may demonstrate in learning environments. Sensory integration techniques for managing challenging behaviors including over-activity, inattentiveness, and physical aggression will be presented. Participants will learn simple, easy-to-use ways to support students’ development of self-regulation, an important life skill related to attention, behavior and social-emotional development.   Suggestions for practical ways to modify the environment to help children be more actively engaged in the learning process will also be described. This will include information on how to design and implement a unique learning center, “The Private Place.”

 

Sensory Integration: What every parent should know!

This presentation is designed to help parents of young children understand the very important brain process, sensory integration.  Learn how a child’s sensory skills impact learning and development. Get new ideas for effective methods of caring for your child at home.

Why can’t he sit still? A Sensory Integration Approach for the “Overactive”Preschooler.

Inclusive Environments and Practices for Young Children

Participants in this session will learn about learning environments that work effectively in inclusive school and home settings. Special considerations for methods of designing and utilizing Learning Centers (small group activity) with young children who have special needs including autism, intellectual disabilities, ADHD and orthopedic impairments will be discussed. Identify young children who have sensory processing problems. Receive practical, evidence-based solutions that will address the sensory needs of young children. Gain a new perspective on teaching young children and gather ideas that will improve the learning environment for all young children!