Georgia SEEDS Program

We empower early childhood professionals through comprehensive training and coaching to help create nurturing, responsive and developmentally supportive environments.

SEEDS Program Specialists support early learning professionals by promoting effective classroom practices grounded in Practice-Based Coaching, child development, and social-emotional learning.

Coaching Services

Practice Based Coaching Model
Specialists support coachee through observation, action planning and reflection/feedback
Coachees can be directors, teachers, family providers
Support typically last 3-5 months
In person & virtual

Professional Development

The SEEDS Program offers professional development opportunities to child care professionals on various topics related to classroom practices, adaptations, and social emotional learning. Trainings are available both in-person and virtual. All trainings are state-approved and the credit hours are in the description. Click below to learn more about topics available for staff trainings.

To request training, complete this Training Request Form and email to seedshelpline@decal.ga.gov

Adaptive Learning Practices

Count Me In! Adaptive Practices for All Children - Participants will learn how to identify practices that promote adaptive learning in the classroom and accommodate all children in the early childhood learning environment. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about intervention services for children with disabilities and how to collaborate with intervention team members, including the family.
In Person Format: 3 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 3 GaPDS hours

Welcoming Children of All Abilities: Access - An introduction into adaptive learning for children of all abilities. Participants will learn how to create nurturing, responsive, and developmentally supportive environments for all children.
In Person Format: 1 GaPDS hour OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Engaging Children of All Abilities: Participation - Focuses on adapting environment and routines to ensure all children have the supports needed to be successful in the early childhood setting. Participants will explore developmental monitoring, practical adaptations, CARA’s Kit strategies, and resources to promote inclusive participation in early childhood settings.
In Person Format: 1 GaPDS hour OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Supporting Children of All Abilities: Support - Reviews supports and resources aimed at helping children to be engaged in the early childhood classroom environment. Participants will explore resources to build their adaptive learning toolkit.
In Person Format: 1 GaPDS hour OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Engaging All Children: Igniting Fires that Cannot be Extinguished - Focuses on how to provide instruction using universal design for learning and developmentally appropriate practice, so that no matter how children process information, the lessons will be engaging for all. Participants will learn how concepts like universal design for learning (UDL) show children and teachers that there are multiple ways to be successful, multiple ways to solve problems, and multiple ways to learn. This training will also focus on developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) and methods that promote each child's optimal development and learning through a strengths-based, play-based approach to joyful, engaged learning. Participants will be challenged to examine how they can support children's engagement in learning by looking through the lens of these two frameworks.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

To request training, complete this Training Request Form and email to seedshelpline@decal.ga.gov

Social Emotional Learning Preschool/Pre-K

Nurturing Positive Relationships - - Participants will discuss the importance of building relationships with children, families, and colleagues, and how those relationships impact children's behavior and developing sense of self. Through nurturing and responsive relationships, early learning professionals can promote every child's success and greatly reduce challenging behavior. In this training participants will reflect on their current practice and develop a plan for intentionally strengthening their relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Supportive Environments that Promote Engagement - Participants will uncover strategies for creating early care and learning environments that support children's social emotional competence and promote engagement. From classroom arrangement and physical design to material selection, to environmental cues and embedding child choice, this module offers strategies that can support every early learning professional. When early learning environments support and promote children's engagement and social emotional competence, they also significantly reduce challenging behavior.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Creating Daily Schedules and Routines - Participants will uncover strategies for developing and teaching schedules and routines that support children's social emotional competence and promote engagement. From identifying the main activities of the day, to teaching the routines within the schedule, this module offers strategies that can support every early learning professional. When schedules and routines are identified and taught throughout the child's day to support and promote children's engagement and social emotional competence, they also significantly reduce challenging behavior.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Making the Most of Transitions - Participants will uncover strategies for transitioning children during daily routines that support children's social emotional competence and promote engagement. From using transitional songs to using visuals throughout transitions, this module offers strategies that can support every early learning professional. When transitions are taught throughout the child's day to support and promote children's engagement in moving from one activity to another, they also significantly reduce challenging behavior.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Introducing Expectations and Rules - Participants will uncover strategies for developing and teaching expectations and rules that support children's social emotional competence and promote engagement. From developing expectations that identify what is expected to teaching the rules within the expectation, this module offers strategies that can support every early learning professional. This training also offers strategies for giving positive feedback to children as they move throughout their day.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Promoting Emotional Literacy through Visuals in the Classroom - Participants will identify the importance of teaching social emotional skills and how to teach them using stories and visuals. The training dives more into how to enhance emotional literacy skills, through different strategies to encourage children to express emotions using strategies such as visual supports, social stories, book nooks, and many more.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Supporting Children’s Self-Regulation - Participants will learn strategies to help children learn about their feelings and coping skills when they become angry. This training has numerous ideas about how to help children find solutions to problems that may arise during their day in the early childhood environment.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Developing Friendship Skills in Preschool - Participants will identify skills needed to make friends and how to teach and support friendship skills among the children in their care. Participants will learn strategies for identifying key social skills that can be taught to ensure that children interact with each other.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Behavior Communicates: Are You Listening? - Designed to build the participant's understanding of the definition of challenging behavior and the importance of using data collection methods to support classroom strategies and evidence-based interventions with young children.
In Person Format: 1, 2, or 4 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

SEEDS for Storytime: Making Books Sprout for Young Learners - This session will extend understanding of best practices for story reads and how to use them to promote language development, vocabulary, and comprehension. Participants will review the "ingredients" to captivate interests of young learners during story time and best practices for promoting oral language through story reads. Participants will also learn about resources that will extend learning from books through activities and explore ways to engage families with story time.
In Person Format: 1 GaPDS hour OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Essential Practices for Promoting a Positive Classroom Environment - In this session, we will identify "red flags" classroom practices that need to be addressed to create a classroom where children develop social emotional skills. Red flags include practices such as environmental arrangement, transitions, schedules, and routines. Participants will learn about the Pyramid Model and classroom practices that promote social emotional skills in the learning environment.
In Person Format: 2 GaPDS Hours OR Virtual Format: 2 GaPDS hours

Unpacking the Pyramid Model Kit - Designed to give participants a review of the Pyramid Model Kit and take a deeper dive into the five components of the kit that will enhance social emotional classroom practices in the early childhood classroom.
In Person Format: 1 GaPDS hour

To request training, complete this Training Request Form and email to seedshelpline@decal.ga.gov

Social Emotional Learning Infant/Toddler

Responsive Relationships for Infants and Toddlers - Participants will discuss the importance of building relationships with children, families, and colleagues. Participants will identify the ways that relationships with children and families can impact a child's development and behavior. Through responsive relationships, early learning professionals can promote every child's success and greatly reduce challenging behavior.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Understanding Temperament in Infants and Toddlers - This training helps teachers to apply knowledge of children's individual temperaments to adjust their interactions and practice to promote engagement and responsive caregiving.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Responsive Environments and Routines for Infants and Toddlers - Participants will uncover strategies for creating responsive environments that promotes social emotional competence in Infant and Toddlers. Participants will also learn about creating responsive routines and schedules.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Developing Social Emotional Skills in Infants and Toddlers-Emotional Literacy - Participants will learn to promote ways to help children identify their emotions in themselves and others. This training also explores the nature of feelings and the developmentally appropriate ways they can be expressed.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

Developing Social Emotional Skills in Infants and Toddlers-Self-Regulation & Friendship Skills - Participants will explore self-regulation in infants and toddlers and identify strategies to support developing this skill and learn new ways to support social play and friendship skills.
In Person Format: 1 or 2 GaPDS hours OR Virtual Format: 1 GaPDS hour

To request training, complete this Training Request Form and email to seedshelpline@decal.ga.gov

Online Learning Library Initiative (OLLI) Self-Paced Track

** These trainings are available at GAPDS OLLi Trainings. To gain access to trainings, log in to GAPDS account and search by the training title.

Behavior Expectations and Classroom Rules - Understanding children's behavior and how that relates to setting clear behavior expectations and creating classroom rules to promote positive behaviors.
Online Self-Paced Format: 2 GaPDS hours
Available in Spanish

Understanding the Daily Schedule, Routines, and Transitions - Understanding the Daily Schedule, Routines, and Transitions course is to help Georgia's early learning professionals create and implement the daily schedule, routines, and transitions to reinforce positive behaviors and support high quality learning environments for young children.
Online Self-Paced Format: 1 GaPDS hour
Available in Spanish

Nurturing Responsive Relationships - Presents research-based best practices related to creating safe, secure, responsive, and nurturing relationships in early childhood learning environments.
Online Self-Paced Format: 2 GaPDS hours
Available in Spanish

Count Me In - Provides early care and education professionals with general information on how to successfully include all children in their learning environments. It will introduce the profession's definitions for inclusion and outline the type of practices and supports necessary to achieve high quality inclusion. Laws that support inclusion will be explained, as well as how to seek additional support for children who may qualify for Babies Can't Wait or Preschool Intervention program.
Online Self-Paced Format: 2 GaPDS hours
Available in Spanish

To request training, complete this Training Request Form and email to seedshelpline@decal.ga.gov

GA SEEDS for Success Helpline

Contact Helpline to access these services:

Identifying adaptive childcare options for families
Referrals to community resource agencies (i.e. Babies Can’t Wait, Preschool Intervention)
Free on-site or virtual professional development on adaptations and social emotional development strategies
Coaching on developing adaptive classroom practices and preventing/addressing challenging behavior
Support in facilitating the behavior support plan process

Contact the Helpline to request training, resources, or coaching support at 1.833.354.4357 or seedshelpline@decal.ga.gov

Classroom Practices Coaching

SEEDS Program Specialists provide Classroom Practices Coaching supported through the Practice-Based Coaching Model. This model consists of a combination of on-site observations, action planning and reflection and feedback, as well as training and resources designed to meet the needs of the program and/or teacher. Coaching begins with a classroom observation, which focuses on assisting the early learning professional in developing and implementing action plans to support the meaningful accommodation of all children in the classroom.

To request additional information about our support services, please go to our GA SEEDS Helpline

Administration Coaching

SEEDS Program Specialists also provide program-wide support to center administrators by mentoring the coaching process in one classroom and then consulting with the administrator as they walk through the coaching process in additional classrooms. This type of coaching can be paired with our training services.

To request additional information about our support services, please go to our GA SEEDS Helpline

Behavior Support Planning

For programs that request support in working with a child with persistent challenging behaviors, the SEEDS Specialists provide coaching around data collection. Utilizing the Prevent-Teach-Reinforce for Young Children process, the Specialist will facilitate meetings between the child care program and family in creating a behavior support plan. This process aims to create a supportive and consistent environment for the child, promoting success in both the child care program and at home.

To request additional information about our support services, please go to our GA SEEDS Helpline

Training

SEEDS Program Specialists are available to provide a number of free, state-approved trainings around the topics of Adaptations and Social Emotional Learning. To view the training menu and request training, click here.

To request additional information about our support services, please go to our GA SEEDS Helpline

Useful Links

Supports and Services

Services:

Babies Can't Wait: Georgia's Early Intervention program which provides supports and resources for children (birth to age three) with significant developmental delays or qualifying medical conditions and their families. 1-888-651-8224

Georgia Department of Community Health Medicaid and Peachcare for Kids: Health care for children.

Georgia Department of Education/Division for Exceptional Students: Information and resources for families regarding special education programs in public schools for children 3-21. Includes contact information for referrals to services.

Georgia Department of Education/Scholarships for Children with Special Needs: Provides eligible children with the opportunity to attend another private/public school.

Georgia Parent Infant Network for Educational Services (GAPINES): Provides services and supports for children birth to three who have sensory impairments such as blindness and hearing impairments.

Georgia Tools for Life: This group's mission is to increase access to assistive technology devices and services for Georgians of all ages through help with scholarships and training. 1-800-497-8665.

Lekotek of Georgia: This program will loan adapted and traditional toys to families to use at home and provides individualized support and resources. The program's goal is to make play successful and interactive for children with disabilities through the use of adapted toys and computer equipment.

Information and Support:

Americans with Disabilities Act: Information and Technical Assistance on the American with Disabilities Act.

Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care and the American with Disabilities Act: Answers from the U.S. Department of Justice on common questions about the ADA.

Department of Defense Special Needs Parent Toolkit: Comprehensive information and tools that are geared towards helping military families with children with special needs navigate the maze of medical and special education services, community support and benefits and entitlements.

Families of Children Under Stress (FOCUS): Support group for families of children with disabilities and other special health care needs.

Georgia Advocacy Office: The Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO) is a private non-profit corporation. Its mission is to work with and for oppressed and vulnerable individuals in Georgia who are labeled as disabled or mentally ill to secure their protection and advocacy.

Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities: Provides information and advocacy activities, program implementation and funding and public policy analysis and research to influence public policies that enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families.

Georgia Health Law Partnership: An interdisciplinary community collaboration among the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and Georgia State University College of Law to improve the health of low-income children and their families. Offers public health legal services to eligible families of children with health care issues.

Parent to Parent of Georgia: A statewide nonprofit organization that provides support, information and resources to parents of children with disabilities ages birth through twenty-six. 1-800-229-2038.

Project Healthy Grandparents: Support and resources for grandparents raising their grandchildren.

Wrightslaw Yellow Pages for Kids: Listing of Georgia-based therapists, support groups and other resources for children with disabilities and their families.

Developmental Information

Social Emotional:

The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) : Training materials, resources, and research to support social and emotional development in young children.

Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: Ideas for increasing children’s opportunities to practice social skills.

Challenging Behavior in Infants and Toddlers: Tip sheets, brochures, videos and other resources to help families understand the causes of common behavior problems and ways to teach young children self-control and critical coping skills.

Positive Beginnings: Resource for ideas to support children with challenging behaviors at home and in early education environments.

Social Emotional Development in Infants and Toddlers: Tip sheets, brochures, videos and other resources to help families support social emotional development in their young children.

Literacy and Language:

Center for Early Literacy Learning: Provides research-based information and activities designed for use by parents and care providers to promote literacy learning by children with disabilities.

First Words Project: Resources for families and early educators related to developmental screening tools and early detection of communication delays. Click here to download a brochure explaining the First Words Project and explaining how families can participate.

Developmental Monitoring and Screening

Learn the Signs. Act Early: Brochures, videos and other resources for families and early educators.

Health and Disabilities

Understanding Your Child’s Development: Information and resources for families to increase their knowledge and understanding of developmental milestones for children birth to three years old.

American Academy of Pediatrics:The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) promotes pediatrics and advances child health priorities in a variety of ways including developing policy, conducting research, lobbying Congress, building coalitions, raising public awareness, funding community-based projects, and supporting training and professional education. Learn more about the great work being done!

Healthy Children.org: Information and resources for families supporting optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

American Federation for the Blind: provides information and resources for people with visual impairments and their families. Families will be especially interested in the Family Connect section which is geared toward children and their families.

Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit for Newly Diagnosed Families of Young Children was created specifically for families of children ages 4 and under to make the best possible use of the 100 days following their child's diagnosis of autism.

Cerebral Palsy: United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia site providing community- based supports and resources to families with children with developmental disabilities.

Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia: provides support groups, educational resources, advocacy and other services for Georgians with epilepsy/seizure disorders.

Feeding Tube Awareness: Provides information about reflux and the use of feeding tubes. There is also a message board where parents can post questions and concerns.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: Resources and an online diabetes support team as well as practical information about diabetes and its management.

Spina Bifida Association of Georgia: provides information and support to families and caregivers of children withSpina Bifida.

Tools for Early Educators

DECAL'S Inclusive Early Learning Week: Mark your calendars and plan meaningful ways your program, children, and families in your community can come together to celebrate inclusion.

Early Red Flags for Autism: Information about red flags and a list of some early red flags of Autism in Toddlers. This resource also includes links to the First Words Project and social communication growth charts.

Head Start Center for Inclusion: Resources and tools to support inclusion of young children with disabilities in early learning environments.

Individualizing for All Children: Resources and information on differentiating instruction for children who learn differently.

Kids Included Together:Training, videos, mobile apps and print materials on strategies for including children with disabilities. Resources include a call-in support center, annual national conference, and child-specific consultations.

National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning: Information, resources and videos designed for early educators.

The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center: Information for educators on topics related to special education and inclusion. Resources include webinars, research publications, practice guides.

Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns: This FREE, online training course, Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns, provides tools and best practices for monitoring the development of children in your care and talking about it with their parents. Completion of these modules earns one hour of Bright from the Start approved credit.

SEEDS for Story Time

These easy-to-use guides were created by DECAL for teachers/caregivers and families of both infants and toddlers and preschoolers to provide hands-on ways to embed social emotional skill building into daily routines. Each SEEDS for Story Time guide includes ideas and activities designed around popular children’s books such as Grumpy Bird, Happy Hippo Angry Duck, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and My Mouth is a Volcano. Examples of suggested activities include a variety of ways to introduce the book, activities aligned to the GELDS, teaching opportunities, and activities for families to do with their children to enhance social and emotional skills

Infant Toddler Books:

Preschool Pre-K Books:

SEEDS Quick Tips

These one-page tip sheets are designed to provide early educators with strategies, approaches, and important information on a variety of topics related to social emotional development and challenging behavior. New tip sheets will be added as topics are identified.