Mondays: January 5, January 12, January 26, February 2, & February 9, 2026

1-2:30 PM Eastern/ 12 PM- 1:30 PM Central/ 11 AM- 12:30 PM Mountain/ 10 AM- 11:30 AM Pacific/

Online sessions via Zoom (5 weeks, 1.5 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through March 9, 2026.

Join Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen, creator of the award-winning Mother Goose on the Loose®, for a series of 5 webinar workshops covering a variety of topics that enhance early childhood programs. Each webinar covers a variety of topics directly related to programming for parents with their youngest children. Combined together, these webinars replicate a full day Mother Goose on the Loose Workshop

Session 1: Literacy Basics and the Mother Goose on the Loose Philosophy (1.5 hours)
A brief introduction to brain development in the early years and a review of ages and stages is accompanied by examples that show how to use this knowledge to build children’s skills and enhance parenting through library programming. A section on flannel boards includes ways to use felt pieces as visual representations for songs and rhymes, telling stories, playing games, and sharing tips with parents during in-person and virtual storytimes.

Session 2: Using Props in Programs (1.5 hours)
The importance of learning through play and hands-on experiences is the basis of a quick tutorial regarding what developmental tips are, how they can be easily created following a 1,2,3 formula, and how they can be used in programs. A review of studies showing the benefits of using colored scarves and musical instruments with young children is followed by many examples of prop activities that can be easily adapted for in-person and virtual storytimes.

Session 3: Programming for parents with infants and babies (1.5 hours)
Knowing what early parenthood entails helps educators to create optimal learning environments for family engagement programs that are just as nurturing for parents as for their infants. Learn how this background can be translated into virtual programs, discover popular elements to include on a regular basis, and explore recommended activities with developmental tips.

Session 4: Using the Mother Goose on the Loose Method to Create High Quality Early Literacy Programs (1.5 hours)
Combine everything learned so far with elements suggested by brain research that are needed for successful early learning programs. Learn about the Mother Goose on the Loose (MGOL) method for making connections and creating an optimal learning environment. Examine the 10-section structure of a MGOL program and learn how to use MGOL tools to easily plan programs using the 80/20 “secret formula” while seamlessly integrating the five practices of Every Child Ready to Read.

Session 5: A Participatory MGOL Program (1.5 hours)
In this celebratory virtual MGOL program, each participant will integrate what they have learned about MGOL by virtually presenting a rhyme/song activity and developmental tip to their colleagues using a homemade felt character. After the celebration, all participants will receive a booklet with lyrics, tips, and directions to each activity along with the name of the contributor. A culmination of all 5 webinars, the booklet illustrates the richness of working collaboratively with colleagues in addition to providing a useful resource for future MGOL programming.

Series will include homework

Certificate of completion available upon request with successful completion of post-test.

Pricing:

Individual: $350 (includes live webinar and recording access for 30 days after the live event)
Group rates available for groups of 10 or more. Contact info@mgol.org for more information.

About the instructor:

Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen

Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen (she/her), a children's librarian with a doctorate, is a nationally recognized instructor, consultant, writer and presenter. In addition to working in public libraries, children's museums, and preschools, Betsy was a home childcare provider when her children were under age 5. Her innovative spirit, love of literacy, devotion to children, and desire to help adults who live and work with children resulted in the creation of her groundbreaking early literacy program, Mother Goose on the Loose® (MGOL). In 2022, Betsy was the recipient of the Association of Library Service to Children’s (ALSC) Distinguished Service Award, and recipient of the 2018 Vattemare Award for Creativity in Libraries. Known for educating children’s librarians and early childhood professionals by combining research findings with practical programming. Dr. Diamant-Cohen has over 30 years of experience working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their families. Facilitator of more than 360 workshops, author of 9 books, 45 articles, and 3 early-literacy toolkits, this charismatic presenter knows that the best way to learn is through play.

www.mothergooseontheloose.com