Frequently Asked Questions

ABC and Beyond™ Online Advanced Workshop
 

Q: Who can take the ABC and Beyond workshop?

A: This workshop is open to:


Q: What is the workshop format and agenda?

A: ABC and Beyond is an online workshop consisting of five 3-hour sessions delivered over a two week period. In a small group setting, professionals participate in experiential, hands-on activities as the instructor guides them through the process of teaching adults in the context of an ABC and Beyond Program, as well as in the context of one-to-one consultations with educators. In a supportive environment, participants have the opportunity to practice each component of the teaching process and to self-evaluate, as well as receive constructive feedback from the instructor.

View the workshop agenda.


Q: Is there anything I need to do before I come to the workshop?

A: Yes. Prior to the start of the workshop, participants must:

  • Complete a Pre-workshop Assignment – A link will be sent to you after registration.  This assignment should be completed at least five days before the start date of the workshop. If it is not completed, you will not be permitted to attend the workshop, and any refunds will be subject to the cancellation policy of the host organization.
  • Obtain a copy of the ABC and Beyond guidebook (Weitzman & Greenberg, 2010) – This guidebook is required to attend the workshop, and it is the participants' responsibility to obtain a copy before the start date. View guidebook purchase options.
  • Obtain a copy of a recommended children's book – This book will be used during role play activities and is necessary for full participation.

Q: What does the Pre-workshop Assignment involve?

A:
The Pre-workshop Assignment takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. You'll read about the research on emergent literacy that informs and supports the ABC and Beyond program, and come to the workshop prepared for further discussion.


Q: What are the technical requirements to attend an online workshop?


A: You will need:
  • a computer — one of: laptop/desktop/tablet. (You may not attend on a smartphone, and each participant must have their own individual device to participate)
  • the Zoom application installed onto your device
  • reliable internet connection (wired if possible)
  • webcam/microphone/speakers
  • two screens are recommended — one to attend the online class and the other for session handouts. You also have the option to print out handouts.
  You can find a full list of technical details for Zoom here.

Q: What are the workshop fees?

A: Fees vary from workshop to workshop. Please visit the individual workshop registration pages for Early Bird and regular fees.


Q: What materials do I receive?

Once certified, you will gain access to the following digital materials:

  • ABC and Beyond Making Hanen Happen Leaders Guide – This step-by-step guide lays out the entire program, and includes all the handouts and checklists required to lead the program.
  • ABC and Beyond PowerPoint slides with embedded video clips – These downloadable resources contain the presentation slides for all sessions of the program, and include real-life video examples of educators using ABC and Beyond strategies.

 

Q: What are the workshop objectives?

A: Upon completion of the ABC and Beyond Advanced Workshop, professionals will be able to:

  • Lead ABC and Beyond – The Hanen Program® for Building Emergent Literacy in Early Childhood Settings, selecting from a variety of flexible training delivery models
  • Utilize principles of adult education to provide teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to create optimal learning environments to support the development of emergent literacy
  • Plan and conduct interactive group sessions in the ABC and Beyond Program.
  • Assess teacher-child interactions in terms of teachers’ application the ABC and Beyond strategies and provide constructive, informative feedback to teachers to facilitate generalization of strategy use.
  • Integrate ABC and Beyond strategies into one-on-one consultations with educators
  • Evaluate interactions in terms of application of responsive strategies using the Teacher Interaction and Language Rating Scale.

 

Q: Do I become certified after attending this workshop?

A: Yes. Participants receive accreditation of their “Certified” status upon signing a Cooperative Agreement (this agreement licenses SLPs and early childhood education consultants/trainer to lead ABC and Beyond™ — The Hanen Program® for Building Emergent Literacy in Early Childhood Settings). To maintain their certification, participants must renew their Hanen membership annually.

 

Q: How many continuing education credits will I receive?

A: This workshop is offered for 1.4 ASHA CEUs (Advanced Level, Professional Area) or 14 professional development hours.



Q: What are the workshop instructor’s qualifications?

A: All Hanen workshops are led by a Hanen Instructor who has successfully completed in-depth training from The Hanen Centre on how to train other SLPs and ECE consultants/trainers to lead Hanen Programs and implement the Hanen approach in their daily work. In addition to leading Hanen Workshops for The Hanen Centre, all Hanen Instructors are SLPs who practice in a variety of settings, and lead Hanen Programs as part of the clinical services they offer in their respective places of employment.


Q: I may not have the opportunity to offer the full ABC and Beyond Program to groups of educators. Will the workshop still be useful to me?

A: Yes. The ABC and Beyond Program may be offered in a variety of flexible delivery models. If you are unable to deliver the full program due to time or funding constraints or limited participant commitment, it is possible to provide a partial program of selected session topics. In addition, ABC and Beyond resources and strategies may be easily integrated into one-to-one consultations with educators.


Q: How can I find an ABC and Beyond workshop?

A: Visit the workshop schedule. If there are no workshops currently scheduled in your area, sign up for email notification so you’ll be informed as soon as a workshop becomes available.

If you have a group of colleagues interested in the ABC and Beyond workshop, contact us at [email protected], and we'll be happy to help organize a date and time that's convenient for your organization. 


Q: I am not an SLP or early childhood education consult/trainer, but I am interested in ABC and Beyond strategies for myself or my organization. What can I do?