GDO Workshops

In this 3-day workshop, participants learn to observe and interpret behaviors in the areas of neuro-motor, language, and cognitive development in the 2-½ to 6-year-old child.

Understanding developmental levels through the use of the Gesell Developmental Observation (GDO) assists teachers in determining the unique needs and abilities of students, and in planning appropriately challenging preschool and kindergarten curricula. Participants will also learn how to use the GDO to discern developmental readiness for traditional academic work.

A typical workshop day runs from 8:30am until 4:00pm and includes a mid-morning break, a lunch break on your own, and a mid-afternoon break. The first day begins with sign-in at 8:00am and the agenda includes a comprehensive overview of developmental age and its implications for learning; a presentation on the Ages and Stages of Development from Birth to age 16; an in-depth look at developmental behaviors of the 2-½ to 6-year-old child; a live demonstration of the GDO; and some beginning hands-on practice with the instrument.

Day two includes additional hands-on practice through role-play; an introduction to additional sections of the instrument; a second live demonstration; and continued practice and discussion. Day three includes more in-depth discussion on the scoring and interpretation of the GDO; additional hands-on practice and role-play; a third live demonstration; and discussion of appropriate versus inappropriate uses of the GDO.

Certificates of completion are distributed at the end of the third day. In order to receive a certificate, participants must attend the full three days of the workshop. Please call for information about obtaining CEUs for attending Gesell workshops. Please click here to visit Madonna University's website and learn how to receive graduate credit for attending this workshop.

The fee for this course is $495. Click here for schedules and registration.

Participants will also learn how to use the GDO to gain valuable insights about transfer students in order to match them with the most appropriate learning environment. The 2½ to 6-Year-Old Child workshop is recommended as a precursor to this workshop, but it is no longer a pre-requisite for this course.

A typical workshop day runs from 8:30am until 4:00pm and includes a mid-morning break, a lunch break on your own, and a mid-afternoon break. The first day begins with sign-in at 8:00am and the agenda includes a comprehensive overview of developmental age and its implications for learning; a presentation on the Ages and Stages of Development from Birth to age 16; an in-depth look at developmental behaviors of the 6- to 9-year-old child; a live demonstration of the GDO; and some beginning hands-on practice with the instrument.

Day two includes additional hands-on practice through role-play; an introduction to additional sections of the instrument; a second live demonstration; and continued practice and discussion. Day three includes more in-depth discussion on the scoring and interpretation of the GDO; additional hands-on practice and role-play; a third live demonstration; and discussion of appropriate versus inappropriate uses of the GDO.

Certificates of completion are distributed at the end of the third day. In order to receive a certificate, participants must attend the full three days of the workshop. Please call for information about obtaining CEUs for attending Gesell workshops. Please click here to visit Madonna University's website and learn how to receive graduate credit for attending this workshop.

The fee for this course is $495. Participants who have taken the 2 1/2- 6-year-old workshop within the last five years may take this course as a refresher or review course for $370.
Click here for schedules and registration.

Gesell Developmental Observation
Review Course

Previously trained Gesell examiners can participate in a regularly scheduled 3-day
GDO workshop as a review course in order to enhance their observation and interpretation skills and expand their understanding of child growth and development with materials that are constantly being revised and updated. A valid certificate issued within five years of the current workshop date is required in order to attend any GDO workshop at a reduced fee.

The fee for a 3-day course taken as a review is $370. Please contact us for more information or to register for a review course. Please see the links above for current schedules and general registration.

Customized Opportunities

In addition to our professional development seminars, individualized presentations can be tailored to address the specific professional development, parent, or community needs of your individual school or district. Sessions topics may include but are not limited to any of our professional development or parent seminar topics. Customized opportunities can be arranged for full day, half day, 90 minute, or webinar sessions.

If you are interested in any topic that is not currently offered in your area, call us for more information about scheduling one at your school, and save money by "piggy-backing” on a workshop that is already scheduled in your area. See our catalog for more details.

Planning a parent meeting or professional development program for your teachers has never been easier….call us today at 1-800-369-7709.