Saturday Sessions
8:00 – 9:15 AM | ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER
479 Connecting Reflection and Continuous Quality Improvement Gabrielle DeLoach, Kodo Kids
W304EF Adults
Program Administration, Evaluation, and Financial Management
480 Mindfulness-Based Resilience and Regulation: Play-Based Strategies for All Ages Christopher Willard, Harvard University
W110A Preschoolers Social and Emotional Development
481 Social and Emotional Learning IS School Readiness Sara Obarow, Learning Care Group Phoebe Fountain, Learning Care Group
W307AB All Children Social and Emotional Development
482 High-Leverage Practices for an Inclusive Daily Routine Jennifer Fernandez, School Specialty, LLC Lynnette Cornett, School Specialty, LLC
W312C Preschoolers Teaching and Instructional Practices
483 Leveraging Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood Education: Practical Strategies for Transforming Practices in the 21st Century Dana Bush, Eastern Kentucky University Mary Sciaraffa, Eastern Kentucky University
W311C All Children Technology and Digital Media
9:30 – 10:45 AM | ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER
FEATURED SESSION
484 Hip-Hop Hooray! Engaging Kindergartners Through Rhythms, Rhymes, and Play
Discover how to harness the power of hip hop culture to foster early learning in kindergarten classrooms. This interactive session explores how rhythms, rhymes, and movement can enhance literacy, math, and social and emotional development. Participants will experience culturally responsive strategies that make learning relevant and engaging for diverse young learners. Through hands-on demonstrations and group activities, educators will learn how to integrate hip hop – inspired techniques to support creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.
This workshop will provide practical tools for creating lesson plans that align with developmentally appropriate practices and early learning standards while embracing students’ cultural identities. Attendees will leave with fresh ideas to incorporate music, storytelling, and play into their teaching, creating a dynamic classroom environment where all children feel seen, heard, and motivated to learn. Whether you’ re new to hip hop or already incorporating music into your lessons, this session will equip you with innovative strategies to inspire your students to reach their fullest potential.
Anthony Broughton, Alabama State University W109A Kindergartners
Earn 0.1 CEUs for this session.
SPONSORED BY 126 2025 NAEYC Annual Conference: In this Place, We Learn. For Every Child, We Lead.