Wednesday Sessions
8:30 – 10:30 AM | ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER
33 Fostering Early Childhood Settings That Embrace Child- Initiated Play: Tools and Strategies to Support Play
Deb Lawrence, The American Association for the Child’ s Right to Play
Kim Adams, Today We Play-Barron Park Preschool
W314B All Children Play
34 Workshop Your Book Ideas From Inspiration to Completion: Where to Take Them, How to Start, How to Finish, and How to See Them Come to Life Through Publication, Consulting, and Presenting Karen Nemeth, Language Castle LLC Christina Cassano, Salem State University
Pamela Brillante, William Paterson University
Robert Gundling, Sense of Wonder LLC
W306 Adults
Professional Development – Training and Technical Assistance
35 How Adults Learn: Research, Best Practices, and Some Surprises Chris Amirault, Independent Consultant
W311CD Adults
Professional Development – Training and Technical Assistance
36 Navigating Organizational Shifts: Strategic Planning Niki Da’ Jon, KSL Consulting Firm
W305 Adults
Program Administration, Evaluation, and Financial Management
37 Collaboration: Enhancing Birth Through Grade 3 Programming and Systems Through Adaptive Leadership
Amy Schmidtke, Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska
Kailey Snyder, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Tonya Jolley, Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska
Dawn Marten, Douglas County West Community Schools
W309 All Children
Program Administration, Evaluation, and Financial Management
38 Fostering a Culture of Care in Early Childhood Classrooms Candace Smith, Governors State University Ali Pepper, Camp Chicago
W311E Adults Social and Emotional Development
39 Connection Is Key: How Strong Relationships Support Early Learning and Development Carla Ward, Early Learning Foundations
W311F All Children Social and Emotional Development
40 Three Keys to Unlocking Self-Regulation: Responsive Environments, Relational Interactions, and Child-Led Play Christine Murray, Becker’ s School Supplies Rachel Waff, Becker’ s School Supplies
W312AB Preschoolers Social and Emotional Development
41 Engaging Curiosity: The Power of Questions
Cynthia James, University of Nevada, Reno Extension
Monica Salazar, University of Nevada, Reno Extension Clark County
Maria Jake, University of Nevada, Reno Extension
W311AB Preschoolers Teaching and Instructional Practices
42 Fostering Close-Knit Communities Through Teaching Mixed Ages in Early Childhood Education Environments Tessie Ragan, Perfect Start Consulting
W311G Preschoolers Teaching and Instructional Practices
43 Making Learning Active for Young 5s and Transitional Kindergartners
Ashley Hoy, HighScope Educational Research Foundation
Karen Murillo, HighScope Educational Research Foundation
Patty Bruder, HighScope Foundation
W312C Kindergartners Teaching and Instructional Practices
2025 NAEYC Annual Conference: In this Place, We Learn. For Every Child, We Lead.
65