2025 Courses Coming Soon.

Podcast

Welcome to our new project, Kids These Days – a podcast about why kids do what they do and geared towards the adult caregivers in their lives! We cover a variety of topics ranging from process vs. product art to why culture is more than just a color, to empathy and modeling behaviors – and everything in between in bite-sized episodes.

Meet our co-hosts, Ruddy Benavides and Sarah Holmes, and stay tuned for future episodes that bring you “voices from the field” – providers, parents, directors, etc. that are out there doing what you do every day!

Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform (find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher) to stay updated on the latest episodes. We love hearing from our listeners, too! What topics do you want to know more about? What questions do you have for your peers? E-mail us at kidsthesedayspod@gmail.com

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Follow our podcast updates on Facebook and Instagram at @kidsthesedayspod


Check out our trailer below! Remember to bookmark this page and check back in weekly as we update our resources for every episode!

Cape is Underway!

Cape, your career and professional empowerment tool, is underway. We are finally in a position to be able to share some an outline of the build after completing almost all of Phase 1!

Cape Build Estimated Timeline:

Phase 1: Foundational Setup
Estimated Timeline: January 2024 – October 2024
Our initial phase focuses on building essential features of the portal with ready-to-use solutions tailored to meet the needs of external statewide users and internal portal staff. Some of the features that are a part of this phase include:

  • Storefront setup
  • Course management
  • Event management
  • Checkout / Ecommerce
  • Invoicing
  • Customer support tools
  • Financial supports
  • Account creation and profile management
  • Portal experience
  • Access and security

Phase 2: Expanding Core Features
Estimated Timeline: November 2024 – April 2025
In Phase 2, additional builds will deliver crucial elements that were outside the scope of Phase 1. This short build will add key features like approvals, user credentials, and training and education resources.

Phase 3: Enhanced Functionality
Estimated Timeline: July 2025 – June 2026
This longer development phase will further strengthen foundational elements while introducing new tools, such as peer-to-peer interactions, career development support, enhanced marketing capabilities, and data integration through APIs.

Phase 4: Future Enhancements
Estimated Timeline: July 2026 – June 2027
The specific scope of this phase will be defined in June 2025, with a focus on continuing to build and adapt to meet evolving needs.

Stay tuned as we continue to enhance our services to support early childhood professionals across the state!

Episode 7: Self-Care, Part 2

Welcome to part two of our self-care series! In this episode, we move into the ‘how’ of self-care. Grab your checklist from the previous episode to work through your own self-care plan as you listen. We share a few of our own self-care wins and challenges as we remember the importance of taking care of ourselves in order to best care for others. 

To download the accompanying infographic and deep dive resource for this episode, please click below. The documents are sized A4 for easy printing!

You can listen to this episode using the player below:


THE KCCTO-KITS INFANT-TODDLER SPECIALIST NETWORK IS A PROGRAM OF THE KANSAS CHILD CARE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, INC. (KCCTO) AND THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LIFE SPAN INSTITUTE AT PARSONS. THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IS A PROGRAM OF KCCTO. EACH PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES’ CHILD CARE AND EARLY EDUCATION SERVICES. HOWEVER, INFORMATION OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE POSITION OR POLICY OF THE AGENCY AND NO OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT SHOULD BE INFERRED. 

Episode 6: Self-Care, Part 1

In this first part of a two-part series, we will talk about the what and why behind self-care! Do you recognize when your cup is too full you start feeling overwhelmed? Have you ever felt burnt out in your work? Why do we need to take care of ourselves? The gentle takeaway from this episode is that self-care is not selfish – taking care of yourself is vital to be the best you can be in all capacities.

To download the accompanying infographic and accompanying checklist for this episode, please click below. The documents are sized A4 for easy printing! 

You can listen to this episode using the player below:


THE KCCTO-KITS INFANT-TODDLER SPECIALIST NETWORK IS A PROGRAM OF THE KANSAS CHILD CARE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, INC. (KCCTO) AND THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LIFE SPAN INSTITUTE AT PARSONS. THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IS A PROGRAM OF KCCTO. EACH PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES’ CHILD CARE AND EARLY EDUCATION SERVICES. HOWEVER, INFORMATION OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE POSITION OR POLICY OF THE AGENCY AND NO OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT SHOULD BE INFERRED. 

Episode 5: ATC and Thinking Traps

In this episode, we are taking a deep dive into our thoughts! We’ll talk about specific situations surrounding children’s behaviors and how to walk through our immediate reactions in order to help them deal with their own actions and emotions. We’ll guide you through these thinking traps we all face and the best ways to get out of them! For all visual learners out there – please go ahead and download the infographics below to follow along while you listen! 

To download the accompanying infographic and deep dive resource for this episode, please click below. The documents are sized A4 for easy printing! 

You can listen to this episode using the player below!


THE KCCTO-KITS INFANT-TODDLER SPECIALIST NETWORK IS A PROGRAM OF THE KANSAS CHILD CARE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, INC. (KCCTO) AND THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LIFE SPAN INSTITUTE AT PARSONS. THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IS A PROGRAM OF KCCTO. EACH PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES’ CHILD CARE AND EARLY EDUCATION SERVICES. HOWEVER, INFORMATION OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE POSITION OR POLICY OF THE AGENCY AND NO OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT SHOULD BE INFERRED. 

Episode 4: TEAM – Teach, Embrace, Acknowledge, Model

In this episode, we are going to introduce you to the concept of TEAM. We’ll discuss the importance of repetition and consistency when we teach children new things as well as how to answer children’s questions honestly and positively. Get ready to dive into what TEAM means – what it looks like – and how to start applying it!

To download the accompanying infographic and for this episode, please click below. The documents are sized A4 for easy printing! 

You can listen to this episode using the player below! 


THE KCCTO-KITS INFANT-TODDLER SPECIALIST NETWORK IS A PROGRAM OF THE KANSAS CHILD CARE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, INC. (KCCTO) AND THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LIFE SPAN INSTITUTE AT PARSONS. THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IS A PROGRAM OF KCCTO. EACH PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES’ CHILD CARE AND EARLY EDUCATION SERVICES. HOWEVER, INFORMATION OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE POSITION OR POLICY OF THE AGENCY AND NO OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT SHOULD BE INFERRED. 

Episode 3: All Feelings are for Feeling

What do you do with the mad you feel? How do you experience joy? When you are feeling sad, how do you handle it? How can you help children process through their emotions in a safe and healthy way? In this episode, we will discuss touchy-feely, ooeey-gooey feelings! As you listen, think through some of these questions and make sure you take care of you while we unpack deep information on emotional development.

To download the accompanying infographic and deep dive resource for this episode, please click below. The documents are sized A4 for easy printing! 

You can listen to this episode using the player below! 


THE KCCTO-KITS INFANT-TODDLER SPECIALIST NETWORK IS A PROGRAM OF THE KANSAS CHILD CARE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, INC. (KCCTO) AND THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LIFE SPAN INSTITUTE AT PARSONS. THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IS A PROGRAM OF KCCTO. EACH PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES’ CHILD CARE AND EARLY EDUCATION SERVICES. HOWEVER, INFORMATION OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE POSITION OR POLICY OF THE AGENCY AND NO OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT SHOULD BE INFERRED. 

Episode 1: Say You’re Sorry – And Mean It!

In our very first episode, we cover empathy, brain development, why forced apologies don’t work, and what to do instead. We also discuss the physiology of our brain when we feel. You will learn to reflect not only on saying sorry, but also acknowledging and accepting apologies, and how to teach children to do the same!

To download the accompanying infographic for this episode, please click below:

You can listen to this episode using the player below!


Kids These Days is a co-production of the KCCTO-KITS Infant Toddler Specialist Network (ITSN) and KCCTO Workforce Development (WFD) programs. ITSN and WFD are grant programs, funded by Kansas Department for Children and Families, that provide training and technical assistance to infant and toddler providers across the state of Kansas.

Episode 2: Every Behavior is a Request for Something

In this episode we will learn to change the way we view children’s behaviors. Join us as we discuss tips and tools on observing objective behaviors and be self-aware of our own biases. You will learn how to engage in critical reflection to find meaning in children’s behaviors!

To download the accompanying infographic for this episode, please click below:

You can listen to this episode using the player below!


Kids These Days is a co-production of the KCCTO-KITS Infant Toddler Specialist Network (ITSN) and KCCTO Workforce Development (WFD) programs. ITSN and WFD are grant programs, funded by Kansas Department for Children and Families, that provide training and technical assistance to infant and toddler providers across the state of Kansas.