Why can’t they just sit still, clean up, wait their turn, follow directions, or handle a change in routine? For many children, the answer is executive functioning. In this practical and engaging session, participants will learn what executive functioning is, how it develops in early childhood, and why children with disabilities such as ADHD, autism, developmental delays, anxiety, trauma histories, and sensory processing differences may struggle with skills like impulse control, emotional regulation, flexible thinking, working memory, and transitions. Most importantly, this session will move beyond “what’s wrong” and focus on “what support is missing.” Participants will leave with realistic, classroom-ready strategies to reduce power struggles, strengthen routines, support regulation, and help children build the skills they need to participate more successfully throughout the day.

Physical movement supports healthy growth and development in children from birth to five years old. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) enhances learning opportunities by improving attention, coordination, and overall development. Proper nutrition is also essential, as it supports brain development, physical growth, and children’s ability to learn and thrive.

This presentation will discuss the impacts of alcohol and illicit drugs on the developing prenatal brain and the social-emotional and behavior regulation effects observed with these children as they grow. Also included in this presentation will be the impacts of postnatal trauma on the developing brain and the self-regulation difficulties experienced by these young victims of trauma and abuse. In addition, participants will learn how to identify when a child is dysregulated and intervention strategies will be discussed.

Come play with puppets and learn how these simple toys can help you develop young children’s self-regulation in joyful and imaginative ways! You’ll leave the session with a puppet you’ll have made yourself, as well as playful, brain-based ideas about how to use finger and hand puppets to support even the wiggliest and most impulsive learners through creative circle times, challenging transitions, and their own storytelling with puppets.

As a leader, you’re balancing competing demands, regulatory requirements, and the individual needs of children, families, and staff. In the midst of it all, your leadership sets the tone. This session is designed to help you lead with greater confidence, optimism, and intention. Together, we’ll explore how choosing joy—not as a feeling, but as a leadership practice—can help you navigate challenges with resilience and purpose.

Walk away with renewed energy, practical leadership strategies, and a deeper connection to your purpose—along with a reminder that small, intentional actions often have the greatest impact on the culture you create.

This training explores how play impacts brain development from birth to age five. Participants will examine learning from the child’s perspective and discover how play builds the developmental pathways that support future learning. The training will highlight the importance of observation in understanding each child’s unique development and interests. Participants will also practice using the New York State Early Learning Guidelines to strengthen their understanding of play-based learning and to plan experiences that support children’s individual growth, development, and learning.

This interactive workshop is designed as a collaborative table talk rather than a formal presentation, giving participants the opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, and learn from one another. Examples of hands-on small-group activities will be provided and explored. Participants will gain practical strategies for planning engaging small groups, differentiating instruction to meet children’s needs, and using small-group time to support growth in early literacy, math, social-emotional skills, and more. Leave with ready-to-use ideas and resources that can be implemented right away.

This workshop invites participants to look honestly at how we move from parent involvement to true family engagement. Together, we will reflect on the assumptions and biases we may carry about families, how those beliefs show up in our communication and program practices, and how we can create more meaningful opportunities for partnership. Participants will explore practical ways to build trust, invite family voice, and use developmental screening tools as conversation starters that support connection, shared understanding, and collaboration around children’s growth and development. Attendees will leave with reflective questions and realistic strategies they can use right away in their programs.

Your dramatic play center in your classroom is so much more than just a kitchen area for your students to play at. It can be a place where children can explore many jobs, cultures, and realia. This area is a place to increase language development both orally and written, a place to navigate sharing, taking turns, role playing and countless other social emotional skills. In this workshop I will share my 38 years of kindergarten teaching experience and show you how I have utilized my dramatic play center to help my students learn about the world they live in — from setting up a fire station, a restaurant, and even a yoga studio. I will share my successes and even my failures or missed opportunities in hopes that you can learn and discover ways to enrich your own classroom environment.

• What is constipation?
• Tips and tricks for toddlers or children with constipation
• When to use medications
• When to seek help