Sessions: Friday, April 24
8:30am-10:00am con't
Happily Ever After: What's
New in Children's Literature
d
Featu s re
Session Code: F111
ion
Ses
Are you too busy teaching to look for
new children’s literature titles that will
enhance your classroom and
curriculum? Come to this workshop to
discover new and engaging books that
have recently been published. Learn
about resources that will help you filter
the good books from the mediocre
titles and how to enrich your children’s
experience with print. Watch and
observe how to use books as a
foundation for close reading
activities that will support early
childhood children to become future
readers or more efficient readers.
Presenter: John Funk
Age Focus: PRE, SA
Main Topic: Language and Literacy
Sing a Joyful Song: A
Community-Building Musical
Celebration
d
Session Code: F113 Featu s re
ion
This Child, Each Child
will Grow and Learn
Session Code: F115
Ses
Join a totally unique experience where
each attendee will learn simple
approaches to introducing music to
children through fun arrangements of
contemporary songs. This adult
experience models best practices to
introducing young children to new
songs and emphasizes the powerful
effects that music has on the brain:
increasing plasticity, forging new
neural pathways, creating
opportunities for mindfulness, and
improving memory. At the end of the
session, you'll be invited to join the
“conference choir” to share your
experience!
Presenter: Kira Willey
This session is designed to help
attendees understand the importance
of early identification through
monitoring and screening which leads
to connecting families with local, state,
and national resources. Participants
will be provided an overview of
developmental milestones and
evidence-based approaches to
communicate with families and
professionals about concerns that may
arise.
Presenter: Meledy Dawson
Age Focus: ALL
Main Topic: Family Engagement &
Support
Age Focus: ALL
Main Topic: Music and Movement
I Am a Toddler What Do You Expect?
Session Code: F112
eatured
F
Session
Toddlers are at a very exciting, curious
and creative stage of development.
Conscious educators in the field of
early childhood are aware of the
individual needs and dreams of each of
the children in their care. This
presentation will discuss the
developmental stages of toddlers and
practices that help support toddler
development.
Presenter: Dan Hodgins
Age Focus: T
Main Topic: Child Development and
Learning Through Play
STEAM in the ECE MakerSpace:
Passport to Learning (K-3)
Session Code: F114
Through a hands-on, active
experience, participants will explore
approaches to integrate STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering,
Arts, and Mathematics) in the ECE
MakerSpace. We will explore
innovative learning methods and
practices. This includes instruction on
systematic design of STEAM and
MakerSpace activities, as well as
hands-on experiences with 3D printing,
SnapCircuits, Robotics, and Inquiry-
based sets.
Presenter: Jacqueline Mumford
Age Focus: SA
Main Topic: Science
10:45am-11:45am
Keynote: Gerry Brooks
Keynote
Personal Climate and Culture: The
Key to Professional Success
Session Code: KEYNOTE2
Gerry Brooks has a special way of
humorously describing life inside his
elementary school that is both
therapeutic and enjoyable to literally
hundreds of thousands of teachers and
principals alike. Gerry highlights the
importance of culture in creating a
positive work environment, leading to
improved outcomes for children.