Childhood obesity is a national concern. While recent reports show that rates have begun to decline for preschool age children, special educators need to be particularly attentive to this issue. Data indicates much higher rates of overweight and obesity for children with disabilities, especially those with autism. Early childhood and early childhood special education practitioners report difficulty meeting national recommendations for physical activity and for including children with and at risk for disabilities.
Participant Outcomes:
Participants in the Learning Deck will:
- Learn to use utilize universal design for learning (UDL) principles to design high-quality environments that promote physical activity for all young learners (Recommended Practices E2, E6)
- Use an established rubric to reflect on instructional and physical aspects of the learning environment
- Identify strategies to set the stage for physical activity and to lead structured activities
Presenters: Karin H. Spencer, EdD, and Lorelei E. Pisha, EdD
Karin H. Spencer, EdD, is a parent educator and professional learning consultant. She also serves as adjunct faculty at the George Washington University and Shepherd University. Dr. Spencer has over 20 years of experience in the field of early childhood education as a practitioner, program administrator, and teacher educator. She has directed personnel preparation and training grants and a national training and technical assistance center. She has published and presented nationally on physical activity, resilience, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices.
Lorelei E. Pisha, EdD, is adjunct faculty at the George Washington University and Project Coordinator for an Office of Special Education Programs funded early childhood leadership personnel preparation and training grant at GWU. Dr. Pisha has extensive experience as an early interventionist, early childhood practitioner and teacher educator. She provides online professional development and coaching for early intervention systems and families through Early Intervention Partnerships. Her expertise includes language development, inclusion, culturally responsive practice, and physical activity play. She has published and presented nationally on these topics.
Designing Inclusive Environments that Promote Physical Activity
This digital product provides access to one Learning Deck Webinar for one individual purchaser. Once the order is placed, the purchaser will receive a link to download the webinar recording as well as any webinar handouts. The webinar can be watched on-demand at any time once downloaded. Note: Purchases do not include certificates of attendance.
Copyright Notice
Please Note: Sharing a Learning Deck Webinar with one or more parties, without prior written permission from Division for Early Childhood, is a violation of copyright law.
Group Orders
If you would like to purchase a Learning Deck Webinar for a group, please place an order here. Discounts are available for members and groups.
Division for Early Childhood Learning Deck Webinars are webinars presented by experts in early intervention, early childhood special education, and related fields. Each webinar lasts approximately one hour (unless otherwise noted) and includes access to the full recording and any webinar handouts. Webinar purchases do not include certificates of attendance.
