For $10 per 2-credit class, you can earn training credits on your computer by using your e-mail address, a password of your choosing, and our agency identification code: ACD. Anyone can take these courses. Simply enter the following address into your web browser: http://www.childcaretrainingtogo.com. Credits have been state-approved for providers in Michigan and Illinois.

Currently Available Topics:

Anger Management :Understanding and Guiding Behavior
Course Description: (2 hours credit) Caring for an angry or aggressive child can be very stressful and challenging . Learn some preventative strategies as well as strategies in how to manage and soothe an angry or aggressive child.By studying this course, you should be able to:Describe what happens physically when anger is felt; Identify some anger triggers and three main approaches to handling anger; Examine some strategies for helping children deal with anger; Be prepared to implement anger management strategies best suited to the needs of the kids in your care and to your temperament.

Developing Responsibility and Independence :Understanding and Guiding Behavior
Course Description: (2 hours credit) When You’ve Completed This Self-Study You Should Be Able To: Define responsibility and independence; Identify areas of responsibility, including task management and social responsiveness;Learn how to apply the seven “R’s” of responsibility; and strategize techniques for removing the barriers to responsible behavior.

Early Brain Development :Human Growth and Development
Course Description: (2 hours credit) When You’ve Completed This Self-Study You Should Be Able To: Identify areas of the brain and match them with corresponding brain functions. Explain why the first years of life are critical to healthy brain development. Sort out myths from verifiable facts about brain development. Be aware of specific “windows of opportunity” and choose “prime time” appropriate activities for, and interactions with, the children in your care. Reflect on what you have learned about early brain development and evaluate your current childcare practices in relation of this knowledge.

Food Allergies :Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Course Description: (2 hours credit) By studying this information you should be able to: Develop an allergy free nutrition plan Explain to prospective clients how you identify food allergy symptoms, and how you create and maintain a safe, nutritional environment for children and families as endorsed by such organizations as US Department of Health and Human Services, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America. Decide which foods can be substituted in place of an allergen, and identify ways to promote healthy eating patterns in the diets of children with specific food allergies.Decide which foods can be substituted in place of an allergen, and identify ways to promote healthy eating patterns in the diets of children with specific food allergies.Decide which foods can be substituted in place of an allergen, and identify ways to promote healthy eating patterns in the diets of children with specific food allergies.

Food and Infant Health :Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Course Description: (2 hours credit) By studying this course, you should be able to: Explain why infants are at high risk for (Food Borne Illness) Create a plan for safe food shopping and transporting Analyze personal food storage habits and decide which, if any, will need to be changed Use effective handwashing techniques that are effective in combating FBI Fine tune your cleaning and food prep routines so that cross contamination is avoided and FBI risk is lowered.

Getting Started, Professional Provider Tool Kit :Program Management
Course Description: (2 hours credit) This study will focus on how to start your own child care business. You will touch on topics such as, Licensing your child care business, Marketing, Permission forms, Liability Insurance, and much more.

Holiday Stress Management :Personal, Professional and Leadership Development
Course Description: (2 hours credit) You’ll identify effective strategies, suited to you, to ease managing holiday tasks and demands. In exploring the roles of traditions; you’ll analyze whether your traditions fit into your current circumstances; and you’ll consider ways to create meaningful new traditions and rituals.

Nurturing Secure Relationships :Human Growth and Development
Course Description: (2 hours credit) When You’ve Completed This Self-Study You Should Be Able To: Recognize the major components of the theories developed by main historical attachment behavior researchers; Identify the signs of a secure attachment relationship; Explain the importance of developing a secure child-caregiver attachment relationship; Assess the key ways in which you, as a caregiver, already promote early positive mental health; Enhance your skills for securing strong child-caregiver relationship attachments; Make a plan for strengthening communications between you and the families of children you care.

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA :Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Course Description: (1 hour credit) You will be able to: Define influenza and explain the difference between the flu and a cold. Design your own pandemic influenza plan using the checklist in this self-study. Identify habits for good health and apply them in you child care setting.

Partnering with Parents :Families and Community Systems
Course Description: (2 credit hours) By studying this course, you should be able to: Assess your communication skills and develop some new ones; Create easy-to-do record keeping systems for documenting children’s behaviors and routines. Find ways to share the information with family members; Consider how the institution of the family is very flexible and identify some of the strengths of the families who have children in your care, strengths you can draw upon.

Safe 'n' Sound :Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Course Description: (2 hours credit) When You’ve Completed This Self-Study You Should Be Able To: Recognize the need for a safe environment in the child care setting. Prepare a solution for disinfecting items in the child and home care settings. Identify how to handle and store food in a safe and sanitary manner. Recite and illustrate the proper hand washing techniques and tell about the importance of performing it correctly.

Save it for a Rainy Day :Learning Environments and Curriculum
Course Description: (2 hours credit) You will review information about the science of storms and ways to stay safe. And then, you will plan and develop your own science and life skill learning module for use with the children in your care. You’ll be able to define the SCAMPER higher level thinking technique. And, by practicing use of the SCAMPER technique, you’ll be prepared to guide children in the use of SCAMPER. You’ll put together a Rainy Day Box that is uniquely suited for you and the children in your care. This box will contain activities and materials that will support the curriculum areas of Arts & Crafts, Music & Movement, Dramatic Play, Quiet Games & Puzzles and Science.

SIDS :Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Course Description: (1 hour credit) When You’ve Completed This Self-Study You Should Be Able To: Define SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome); Recognize environmental factors that may put an infant at increased risk for SIDS; Explain ways to lower SIDS risk; Have strategies in place that will help you keep current with research findings about the prevention of SIDS.

Snacks From Around The World :Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Course Description: (1 hour credit) When you have completed this self study, which in the Core Knowledge Category of Health, Safety and Nutrition you will be able to: Further children’s good health by preparing healthy, multi-culturally inspired recipes that they will enjoy at snack time. Provide children with motivating learning opportunities that will help them appreciate diversity and broaden their food tastes. Use the CACFP meal pattern to insure that snacks served meet USDA requirements.

The Do's and Don'ts of Discipline :Understanding and Guiding Behavior
Course Description: (2 hours credit) When you’ve completed this study, you should have a better understanding of positive discipline measures. why toddlers act as they do; how positive discipline relates to child development; how to provide a positive environment for the children and yourself; techniques for dealing with tantrums, hitting, biting, and reluctant sharers, and the confidence to utilize the techniques.