Dr. Jane Humphries and Kari Rains are both moms and professionals in the field of early childhood. They work together to provide educators, administrators, parents and other caregivers with the knowledge and research that supports best-practices when working with people, especially those that need to fiddle to focus, talk and learn! With presentation styles that compliment each other, participants have commented on the interactive, entertaining and fun learning environment that they create! Michael brings a whole other level of interesting learning for those working in the field of early childhood. With experience in the classroom as a teacher and his current role as a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist, he really ‘gets and connects’ with children struggling to communicate and adults wanting to understand them.
Professional Education
PRACTICAL
Dr. Jane, Kari and Michael should be YOUR next speakers! With years of experience in the fields of human development and early childhood education, they are dedicated professionals that bring a new message of inclusive excellence and positive change to all audiences.
CREATIVE
Inventors of Fiddle Focus® products, inspired after years of work with children and adults dealing with ADHD/ADD, Autism and OCD. You’ll want to hear their success stories.
ESTABLISHED
Authors from fiction—to humor—to in-depth explorations into the area of human development, the trio have become the “must have” speakers for conventions, conferences, seminars and benefits.
Dr. Jane Humphries
Dr. Jane Humphries has had many years of experience in the field of human development and early childhood education. A known professional in Oklahoma, she has served as a child care director of an NAEYC® accredited program, consultant, child and parenting specialist, adjunct instructor, researcher, program administrator of government programs supporting children in the state of Oklahoma, and co-author of articles featured in Child Care Information Exchange®. Her latest book, A Fighting Chance: Supporting Young Children Through Disruptive Change, co-authored with Kari Rains, utilizes case studies to illustrate what disruptive change can look like, and it covers a variety of types of disruptive change, including homelessness, incarceration, multiple parent relationships, and more. She is also the inventor of the Fiddle Focus® products provided in our online store. A big-believer in hands-on and interactive learning for adults, she enjoys sharing practical ideas that can be easily implemented when working or caring for children in a group or individual settings as well as helping those in leadership positions striving to provide quality early childhood environments.
Dr. Jane currently serves as a Professional eLearning Specialist at the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University supporting the Aim4Excellence™ Director’s Credential for early childhood administrators. She also serves as an adjunct in the Early Childhood Administration graduate program at NLU and continues to provide adjunct services (mainly online) at the University of Central Oklahoma. She has earned undergraduate degrees in Child Development from Oklahoma City Community College, Family and Child Development from the University of Central Oklahoma, a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, from Oklahoma City University, and a doctoral degree in Occupational and Adult Education from Oklahoma State University.
Kari Rains, M.S.
Kari Rains is a Child and Parenting Specialist and Child Development Specialist. She has over a decade of experience in early intervention with children with special needs in Oklahoma’s home based service as well as experience with clinic based services with children from birth to age eight. Kari serves on several early childhood boards as well as numerous committees serving children and families of Oklahoma. She has taught Child Development classes as an adjunct instructor for Northern Oklahoma College and currently provides private consultation services to child care centers and homes.
Kari has had articles published in Child Care Information Exchange® and Young Exceptional Children. Her latest book, A Fighting Chance: Supporting Young Children Through Disruptive Change, co-authored with Dr. Jane, provides an extensive toolbox of activities, ideas, and resources to help adults find the best practical approach for each child. As a writer and public speaker, Kari finds the humor in everyday parenting issues, but also uses her vast experience and knowledge of children to aid parents in being better parents. She is a believer in the right for all children to learn in the best and most helpful way possible in the classroom as well as at home. Exploring different learning styles of children and their caregivers and adapting those to their learning environment is a passion of hers. Kari graduated from Oklahoma State University with her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a graduate degree in Child Development.
Michael Humphries, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCBA
Michael Humphries is a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in his private practice, Not Your Everyday Therapy Services in Oklahoma City. Working hard to meet children and families where they are with communication or behavior disorders, his style is one of offering developmentally appropriate yet practical strategies to connect with children. When implementing evidence-based therapies, he has found that his approach provides a unique and progressive way to connect with his pediatric clients.
Michael has presented at several conferences and served as a guest speaker for virtual professional development training. Like his mom, Michael’s speaking delivery is informative, fun, and engaging. Participants enjoy listening to content specific to the field of language and communication which has enhanced their understanding of how to apply the information to their field of practice. He also provides excellent insights when embracing children’s behaviors. With years of experience in the classroom environment, Michael has also been able to connect enhancing language and communication to support strategies guiding children’s behaviors. With his foundation of developmental appropriateness, his overview of ideas are practical to engage a verbal and non-verbal child. Michael graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Speech-Language Pathology. His Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) was earned at the University of Arizona and he is one of three individuals licensed in both fields in the state of Oklahoma.
Topics Include
- Sensory Care for Sensory Sensitive Children
- Working with Parents
- Establishing and Maintaining Relationships
- Child Development
- Program Leadership
- Infant/Toddler Development and Care
- Behavior and Guidance
- Classroom Environments
- Learning Through Play
- Temperament and Personality
- Children with Special Needs
- Supporting Children Through Disruptive Change
- Communication Disorders
- Communication, Language, and Learning
- Therapy Ideas When Working with Young Children
- Guidance Strategies to Support the Non-Verbal Child
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Utilizing best-practice adult learning strategies our professional development workshops, seminars and institutes create opportunities for exploration by participants related to content determined by your organizations needs. Please complete the provided form and we will be in touch!