Early Childhood Classes
Early Education Classes Graduation
General information
Council for Children and Families Inc. offers basic and advanced early childhood training designed for teachers who work with children ages 0 – 5 years old. Training is suitable for family day care settings as well as day care centers and Head Start. All CFCF training can be used to apply for a new Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or renew existing CDA. Students outside of Washington State can take correspondence classes. In person classes are only available to Washington State residents living in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties.
All CCF training is approved by the Washington State and Registry System (STARS) to fulfill education requirements (WAC 170-29A-1800). We work with Managed Education and Registry Information Tool (MERIT) to report classes and advance students on career ladders for early care and education professionals. Professionals who currently work in child care facilities licensed or certified by Washington State DEL can receive a cost reimbursement for all CFCF classes.
The high quality of the classes and follow up support is extremely important to us. All classes are written by Tatiana Strachan, president of the Council for Children and Families, Inc. She holds a M.Ed. and has over 26 years of experience in teaching and curriculum development. She is also a top level trainer in Department of Early Learning Washington State. The curriculum is updated to include new research as it develops. We strive to make information practical and interesting for all type of learners. All training is part of core competency system as described in Washington State Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals www.del.wa.gov/publications/partnership/docs/CoreCompetencies.pdf.
Cost of classes
Council for Children and Families Inc. charges 13 dollars per hour per person for all classes. Special arrangements can be made for a large group of students. Each student is responsible to make the full payment before each class. Students can pay with a scholarship, if one is available. Council for Children and Families Inc. cannot itself, obtain scholarships for students.
Washington State students only.
All our students who are registered teachers working in licensed early childhood facility in Washington State may be eligible for training reimbursement. Funds vary from year to year and are not always available. To receive reimbursement, the student must have a STARS ID number and use that number to fill out the reimbursement application.
More information about this process can be obtained by contacting Department of Early Learning, P.O. Box 40970, Olympia, WA 98504-0970, 360.725.4665 Toll-free: 1.866.482.4325 360.586.0052 (fax: first floor) 360.725.4925 (fax: second floor) or E-mail http://www.del.wa.gov/requirements/professional/financial.aspx.
Types of the Early Childhood classes
Students can choose between Correspondence classes and In-person classes.
Correspondence Classes
Students will receive training materials through mail or E-mail to study at home at their convenience. They will have to do homework and pass a test to receive certificate. Students can contact CCF as many times as necessary to ask questions and receive assistance. For students with limited computer access all contact will be through mail and phone.
Presently we have following 10-hour correspondence training available:
Childrens Safety: How to Be Safe Around Dogs
From Hurt to Hope: How early Childhood Teachers Can Buffer the Impact of Adverse Child Experiences
Helping Children Make Friends: Strategies to Teach Friendship Skills and Strengthen Social-Emotional Competence
1. How to be Safe Around Dogs. Safety Precautions and Safe Behavior Techniques for Children
Safety precautions and safety rules for children.
10-hours advanced class. Content area: Safety Level 2
We live in the urban society full of dogs and cats that represent to many people only animal connection they enjoy. It is extremely important to keep those animal-human interaction safe and positive. All dogs can bite. Dog bites, especially to young children, are dramatic and can have severe consequence. Class, “How to be safe around dogs.” makes teaching about bite prevention easy and fun. You will learn how to teach children correct way to interact with dogs and avoid types of human behavior that will provoke dogs to bite. Class is full of practical techniques on meeting strange dogs and playing with home pets in the way that teach empathy and responsibility. As a bonuses you will learn how to speak dog’s language and will be able to have your first conversation with in a week from receiving certificate of completion.
2. From Hurt to Hope (ACEs)
A.C.E.s Adverse Childhood Experiences: How early Childhood Teachers Can Buffer the Impact of Adverse Child Experiences
10-hour advance class. Content area: Professional Development and Leadership Level 3
Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) effects people all their lives. People with ACEs experience toxic stress that can change brain development and affect how the body responds to stress. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse in adulthood. Training summarizes the newest and one of the largest investigations ever conducted, to assess association between early childhood maltreatment and its devastating effects on later-life health and well-being. It names ways childhood teachers can use to lessen effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and help young children develop resilience.
3. Helping Children Make Friends
Strategies to Teach Friendship Skills and Strengthen Social-Emotional Competence
10-hours advanced class. Content area: Competency Level 3
In this module, teachers explore why friendship matters in early childhood, how it fits into children's broader social-emotional development, and the specific behaviors ie: sharing, taking turns, giving compliments, offering apologies, and showing empathy, that help kids build friendships. The class also covers practical classroom strategies for teaching these skills directly, including modeling, puppet play, video examples, buddy systems, priming, and positive reinforcement. Each lesson includes reflection questions and hands-on activities, plus a before-and-after self-assessment to track growth.
In-Person Classes
In-person classes are held in private homes or day care centers in different locations in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Students can request classes at their location. Classes can be customized. Five students minimum required for 10 hours. Discounts for groups of more than 10 students.
In-person classes are usually delivered in the following ways:
1. One Saturday 10-hour class. (6 hours in person + 4 hours homework)
2. Two Saturdays 10-hour class (5 hours and 5 hours)
3. Weekdays. (2.5 hours each evening)
However, duration of all classes can be adjusted according to group training needs. Day care directors can choose any of the proposed training or combination of shorter classes.
Presently we have following 10 hour in-person classes available:
Series 1
Unlocking The Modern Mind; Focus: Executive Function and Creativity
Beyond “How to Share Your Toys”; Focus: Frienship and Social Connections
From Crisis To Hope; Focus: Mental Health Interventions
Healing After Trauma; Focus: ACEs and Toxic Stress
The Refueled Educator; Focus: Teacher Self Care
Series 2
The Master Puppeteer; Focus: Puppets as Teaching Tools
Dramatic Focus; Focus: Executive Function and Theatre
Puppet Perspectives; Focus: Social-Emotional Learning
Little Scientists; Focus: Early STEM Education
Math in Motion; Focus: Early Math & STEM
Series 1: Thriving Teachers, Resilient Kid Nagivigating stress trauma and mental health in the modern classroom
1. Unlocking the Modern Mind Focus: Executive Function & Creativity
Class description
Executive function, the working memory, self-control, and flexible thinking, is one of the strongest predictors of school readiness and lifelong success, yet many classrooms still rely on worksheets that do little to build it. Research shows that creativity and executive function develop together, and that intentional, playful strategies can strengthen both at once. This training moves teachers beyond basic worksheets and into current, hands-on strategies for sparking deep creativity while sharpening the executive function skills children need to think, plan, and problem solve. During this training, students will learn about:
• What executive function is and why it matters for young children
• How creativity and executive function develop together • Practical strategies for building both skills through everyday classroom activities
2. Beyond "Share Your Toys" Focus: Friendship & Social Connections
Class description
Having friends is one of the most important experiences of early childhood. More than half of children referred for emotional or behavioral problems have no friends or struggle with peer interactions, and children with strong friendships show higher self-esteem, better social skills, and greater resilience to life's stresses. But friendship skills don't develop on their own — they must be taught. This training explores how friendship fits into children's broader social-emotional development and gives teachers hands-on tools to help children build genuine empathy, resolve conflicts, and form lasting peer connections. During this training, students will learn about:
• Why friendship matters to children's social-emotional development
• The specific behaviors — like sharing, taking turns, and giving compliments — that help children make friends
• Classroom strategies for teaching friendship skills, including modeling, puppets, and buddy systems
3. From Crisis to Hope Focus: Mental Health Interventions
Class description
A young child in crisis — overwhelmed, dysregulated, or shut down — can leave an entire classroom feeling unsafe. How an adult responds in that moment can either escalate the crisis or help a child find their way back to calm. This training summarizes practical, actionable mental health interventions teachers can use to bring stability back to the classroom, turning moments of crisis into opportunities for connection, trust, and growth. During this training, students will learn about:
• How to recognize the early signs of a mental health crisis in young children
• Actionable interventions for de-escalating and restoring a sense of safety
• Ways to build a classroom atmosphere that prevents crises before they start
4 Healing After Trauma Focus: ACEs & Toxic Stress
Class description
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) affect people all their lives. Children with ACEs experience toxic stress that can change brain development and affect how the body responds to stress. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse in adulthood. This training summarizes the newest and one of the largest investigations ever conducted to assess the association between early childhood maltreatment and its devastating effects on later-life health and well-being. It names ways teachers can use to lessen the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences and help young children develop resilience. During this training, students will learn about:
• New brain science
• How early childhood experiences shape people's lives
• What can be done to promote resilience?
5. The Refueled Educator Focus: Teacher Self-Care
Class description
Teachers give so much of themselves to their students that self-care is often the first thing to slip — but a depleted teacher cannot pour from an empty cup. Chronic stress and burnout among early childhood educators affect not only their own well-being but the quality of care and connection children receive. This training offers realistic, high impact self-care strategies built for the real demands of early childhood classrooms, helping teachers protect their energy and sustain their passion for the work. During this training, students will learn about:
• The signs and causes of teacher stress and burnout
• Realistic self-care strategies that fit into a busy classroom day
• How to protect personal energy while staying present and engaged with children
Series 2: Imagination in Action Bringing STEM, math and social-emotional learning to life with puppetry
1. The Master Puppeteer Focus: Puppets as Teaching Tools
Class description
Puppets are more than a novelty — used well, they become one of the most effective tools a teacher has for holding young children's attention and bringing curriculum to life. Because a puppet can always be a responsive, non judgmental play partner, children often open up to a puppet in ways they won't with an adult. This training teaches the foundational skills of puppetry as an instructional tool, giving teachers the manipulation techniques and confidence to use puppets in any lesson. During this training, students will learn about:
• Basic puppet manipulation and voice techniques
• Why puppets are so effective at capturing young children's attention
• How to weave puppets into everyday lessons across subjects
2. Dramatic Focus Focus: Executive Function & Theatre
Class description
Dramatic play does more than entertain; it trains the brain. When children take on roles, follow a script, and stay in character, they are actively practicing working memory, impulse control, and planning. This training shows teachers how to use dramatic play and puppet scripts as intentional tools for building executive function, turning imaginative play into a powerful, evidence-informed teaching strategy. During this training, students will learn about:
• The connection between dramatic play and executive function
• How theatre-based activities build working memory and impulse control
• Ways to structure puppet scripts and role-play to strengthen focus and planning
3. Puppet Perspectives Focus: Social-Emotional Learning
Class description
Big emotions and classroom conflicts can be hard for young children to talk about directly, but a puppet gives them a safe, low-pressure way to practice. Because children are more willing to explore difficult feelings through a character than face-to-face, puppets can become powerful partners in teaching social-emotional skills. This training shows teachers how to let puppets model big emotions, sharing, and problem-solving, and how to use them to safely work through classroom conflict. During this training, students will learn about:
• Why puppets are an effective tool for social-emotional learning
• How to use characters to model emotions, sharing, and problem-solving
• Strategies for resolving real classroom conflicts through puppet play
4. Little Scientists Focus: Early STEM Education
Class description
Science in early childhood is more than messy experiments — it's a way of thinking. Young children are natural scientists, constantly observing, questioning, and testing the world around them, and teachers who nurture that instinct lay the foundation for lifelong curiosity and STEM confidence. This training gives teachers a practical framework for fostering inquiry, observation, and wonder in their youngest learners. During this training, students will learn about:
• What early STEM education looks like in an early childhood classroom
• How to foster inquiry, observation, and wonder through everyday activities
• A practical framework for building STEM experiences into existing curriculum
5. Math in Motion Focus: Early Math & STEM
Class description
Abstract math concepts like patterns, sorting, and counting can feel dry and formal when taught in isolation — but blended with art, storytelling, and puppetry, they become playful and memorable. Early exposure to math through creative, hands-on experiences builds number sense and confidence long before children encounter a worksheet. This training shows teachers how to blend art and arithmetic seamlessly, using puppets and storytelling to introduce foundational math concepts. During this training, students will learn about:
• How early math concepts like patterns, sorting, and counting develop
• Ways to introduce math through storytelling and puppetry
• Practical STEM activities that blend art and arithmetic in the classroom