Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators
Practical. Inclusive. Neurodiversity-Affirming.
Professional development that helps educators understand children more deeply, rethink traditional approaches to behavior, and build learning environments where more children can participate and thrive.
Drawing on experience in Montessori education, special education, child development, yoga and movement, and neurodiversity-affirming practice, Emily Canibano offers engaging professional development for early childhood educators and the teams who support them.
Training That Connects Knowledge to Practice
These aren't trainings designed simply to fill a professional-development requirement.
They are opportunities to pause, ask better questions, examine what we think we know about children's behavior, and leave with practical ideas that can be used in real classrooms and early learning environments.
Professional Development Topics
Beyond Behavior
Understanding Neurodivergent Children | 2 hours
An introduction to neurodiversity and the many ways children may experience communication, learning, sensory input, relationships, and regulation.
Explore what may be underneath behaviors that adults often find challenging—and how shifting our perspective can change the way we respond.
Explore:
Neurodiversity and developmental differences
Communication and regulation
Strengths-based observation
Environmental influences
Practical, supportive responses
Sensory Needs Are Communication
Supporting Regulation Without Punishment | 2 hours
Children experience sound, movement, touch, light, transitions, and physical space differently.
Learn to recognize sensory differences and consider how small changes to the environment, routines, and adult responses can support participation and regulation.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Classrooms
Moving Beyond Compliance | 2 hours
What changes when our goal isn't simply to make children behave differently—but to create environments where they can communicate, participate, connect, and learn?
Explore practical approaches to inclusion, accessibility, autonomy, and strengths-based support.
When Behavior Is Communication
Understanding What We See | 3 hours
A deeper exploration of behavior, communication, regulation, relationships, and environment.
Consider what children's behavior may be communicating while developing practical ways to respond to difficult moments without relying primarily on punishment, shame, or compliance.
Partnering With Neurodivergent Families
Building Collaborative Relationships | 2 hours
Families bring essential knowledge about their children. Educators bring professional knowledge and experience.
Explore ways to build partnerships that respect family expertise, support meaningful communication, and center the individual child.
Bring Professional Development to Your Team
Private trainings are available for:
Childcare centers
Preschools
Montessori programs
Early learning organizations
Family childcare programs
Education teams and professional learning communities
Small groups. Meaningful conversation. Practical application.
Private trainings are designed for up to 15 participants so there is room for discussion, questions, reflection, and application to real-world situations.
Private 2-hour training — $350
Participant materials are included for groups of up to 15.
Need to train a larger team?
Additional participants: $20/person
Larger groups and custom training requests are welcome and can be quoted based on group size, format, and materials.
Virtual Training
Virtual sessions are available for groups of up to 25 participants.
Looking for Something Specific?
Professional development can also be developed around the needs of your program or team.
Let's talk about what your educators are experiencing, what questions are coming up, and what kind of training would be most useful.
About the Trainer
Emily Canibano
Oregon Registry Certified Trainer • Montessori Educator • Special Education & Inclusive Education Professional • Yoga & Movement Educator
Emily brings decades of experience working with children, families, educators, and learning environments. Her approach combines practical classroom experience with a commitment to neurodiversity-affirming, inclusive, strengths-based practice.
Training topics and CKC designations for Set levels 2/3 are subject to Oregon Registry approval.