Thursday Sessions
3:00 – 4:30 PM | ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER
FEATURED SESSION
214 Moving Programs Forward: Aligning Pedagogical Leadership with Developmentally Appropriate Practice Using the Whole Leadership Framework
With recent updates to developmentally appropriate practice, the NAEYC equity statement, and NAEYC standards, early childhood education program leaders, and those who support program stability and growth are making meaningful shifts in pedagogical leadership to revitalize organizational health and impact. What are the priorities and action steps needed for positive change? This activity-driven session looks at leadership through the lens of reflective and intentional leaders. It is based on the revised Whole Leadership Framework and designed to define and apply the competency areas and practices of pedagogical leadership, including instructional leadership, to implement developmentally appropriate practice and inclusive curriculum and family leadership to promote equitable engagement and advocacy. This session will focus on creating learning communities that build on the strengths of children, families, and staff while anchoring practice with culturally responsive leadership. Program leaders will engage in personally informed analysis activities, brainstorming, and reflective dialogue, with take-home action plans and resources.
Marie Masterson, Council for Professional Recognition Jill Bella, Bella Mattina Teri Talan, National Louis University
W109A
Earn 0.2 CEUs for this session.
SPONSORED BY 215 Moving Forward: Building the Future of the Early Childhood Education Profession Michelle Kang, NAEYC Tessie Ragan, Perfect Start Consulting Deb Murphy, Cape Cod Community College
Peggy Kemp, Division of Early Childhood at the Council for Exceptional Children
Sarah LeMoine, ZERO TO THREE
Edith Locke, TEACH National Center( Early Years)
W206A Adults Advocacy / Public Policy
216 Storytelling for Action: How NAEYC Elevates Your Voice and an Exciting New Media Initiative to Showcase the Power of Early Educators Nicole Lazarte, NAEYC Jen Bradwell, Pizzicato Productions Kathy Pomer, GatherRound Consulting
W305 Adults Advocacy / Public Policy
217 Integrating Accessible Creative Drama into Your Existing Curriculum: Simple Ways to Connect, Build Community, and Explore Content Through Movement, Sound, and Story Meredith Berlin, foundry10 Mikka Hoffman, foundry10 Christine Fotia, foundry10 James Hong, foundry10
W207B First-to-Third Graders Arts and Music
218 Prewriting Development for Diverse Learners: A Whole- Body Approach to Handwriting for Children in Inclusive Learning Environments Yvette Mere-Cook, Samuel Merritt University
W203AB All Children
Children with Disabilities / Early Intervention
219 Empathic Inclusive Design: Connecting Young Minds, Shaping Bright Futures Miriam Beloglovsky, Playful Transformation
W204AB All Children
Children with Disabilities / Early Intervention
220 Childhood Traumatic Stress: Unraveling Its Impact on Brain Development
George Ashley, Strengthen Hands Educational Resources
Cameile Henry, Strengthen Hands Educational Resources
W304AB All Children Cognitive Development
90 2025 NAEYC Annual Conference: In this Place, We Learn. For Every Child, We Lead.