Early Childhood Educators Conference

Control and Agency: A Critical Review of Contemporary Early Childhood

by Dr. Noah Mencow Hichenberg

Dr. Hichenberg will present a new vision for early childhood and our relationship with young children, described through a unique, critical exploration of early childhood education and preschool-aged children, with a focus on the tension between adult control and child agency. Children, as humans, matter: they are living, breathing, striving, creating. Parents and teachers try to control the child which diminishes their mattering. It is the intersection between these two phenomena into which the speaker will dive. This call to arms asks us to reimagine preschool and early childhood as a space where we can stop parenting and stop teaching. We do not always need to be “on”! Children need space, away from adults! Adults are urged to shift their relationships with young children so that we can look across at children instead of down at them, so that we can listen more and hurry less, so that we can give children the space and time needed to explore themselves and their world.

Introducing First Conversations

with Dr. Megan Pamela Ruth Madison

This interactive full-day workshop is designed to prepare anti-bias early childhood educators to use the First Conversations series in their classrooms and programs. These award-winning books introduce the topics of race, gender, consent, bodies, love, grief and justice with clear, accurate text paired with engaging, relevant illustrations. During the workshop, participants will learn directly from Dr. Megan Pamela Ruth Madison about the books’ theoretical foundations. We’ll explore critical race theory, intersectionality, Christian hegemony, abolition, community organizing, and more. Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be eligible to join a community of practice to support ongoing conversations with children, colleagues, and families.

Children as Citizens: Cultivating a Beloved Community

with Sonya Shoptaugh

Giving a voice to childhood means recognizing children’s right to be the primary authors of their lives. Giving a voice to children is the courageous adventure … that urges us to open our ears and listen to this ‘unheard voice’.

– Sergio Spaggiari

We believe there is an ethical imperative for children to be recognized for who they really are – our youngest citizens. As times become more uncertain with the rigors of modern-day realities, the mandate for change is clear, and the call for moral courage is loud. The antidote to apathy is agency, and children are eager to offer their perspectives and participate in creating a more just society. Children have the right for their voices to be returned to their childhoods and to their classrooms—a key component in establishing beloved communities.

At most early childhood centers across the country, children’s voices go largely unheard, and childhood is missing. We are so caught up in telling children what to think and believe, we have lost sight of these incredible human beings in front of us, whose approach to life is through joy and wonderment, and who already have thoughts, theories, and ideas. They are eager to share them.

In this interactive session, we explore:

• What the concept “children as citizens” means to us and what this looks like in our particular settings.
• The potential of dialogue in the daily life of the school as a necessary part of cultivating beloved communities.
• “Voice” as a means of expression for children, parents, and educators and being in the world as engaged citizens.
• Children’s own unique voices and how to call these forth through the use of conversation, documentation and creative expression.
• Having project-based learning as a basis for developing agency.

Foundations for Teaching Woodworking in an Early Childhood Setting

with Judy Kashman

Children love to engage in exploring the world around them. They thrive when taught how to use tools to build their own “ideas.” Research has shown that children who experience hands-on exploration at an early age improve their motor skills and enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills. In this interactive workshop, teachers will learn how to organize woodworking activities in an early childhood environment. Teachers unfamiliar with woodworking techniques will learn how to use basic hand tools in a safe and manageable way for application in their classrooms. Focusing on children aged 3–6, participants will engage in hands-on exploratory work with wood and an assortment of materials that can be utilized for creative discoveries in any child-friendly environment. Attendees will leave the session with a teachable lesson ready to implement.

The Power of Emergent Curriculum in Building Student Agency

with Lizzy Tepper and Samantha Clark

Delve deeply into aspects of the Reggio Emilia pedagogy, including how to honor the child’s voice to support emergent curriculum in the classroom. Become equipped with a deeper understanding of how to observe and document learning and gain confidence in co-curating provocations to extend on the students’ inquiries while honoring their voices. Participants will learn about the history of the Reggio Emilia Approach, discuss the distinctive traits, and focus in on the image of the child and how it translates into students’ agency in the classroom. This workshop will also explore children’s rights according to the approach, and how they can be incorporated into daily interactions and classroom explorations.

Children as Citizens: Cultivating a Beloved Community

with Sonya Shoptaugh

Giving a voice to childhood means recognizing children’s right to be the primary authors of their lives. Giving a voice to children is the courageous adventure … that urges us to open our ears and listen to this ‘unheard voice’. – Sergio Spaggiari

We believe there is an ethical imperative for children to be recognized for who they really are – our youngest citizens. As times become more uncertain with the rigors of modern-day realities, the mandate for change is clear, and the call for moral courage is loud. The antidote to apathy is agency, and children are eager to offer their perspectives and participate in creating a more just society. Children have the right for their voices to be returned to their childhoods and to their classrooms—a key component in establishing beloved communities.

At most early childhood centers across the country, children’s voices go largely unheard, and childhood is missing. We are so caught up in telling children what to think and believe, we have lost sight of these incredible human beings in front of us, whose approach to life is through joy and wonderment, and who already have thoughts, theories, and ideas. They are eager to share them.

In this interactive session, we explore:

• What the concept “children as citizens” means to us and what this looks like in our particular settings.
• The potential of dialogue in the daily life of the school as a necessary part of cultivating beloved communities.
• “Voice” as a means of expression for children, parents, and educators and being in the world as engaged citizens.
• Children’s own unique voices and how to call these forth through the use of conversation, documentation and creative expression.
• Having project-based learning as a basis for developing agency.

Supporting Big Emotions and Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom

with Nadine Maher

Join us to discuss strategies for supporting children with a variety of learning needs in your classroom. This training will provide you with a deeper understanding of managing young children and their “big emotions!” You will walk away with hands-on strategies for managing those tough moments that arise in your classroom. The role of the teacher in fostering an emotionally safe and responsive environment for young children to thrive will be emphasized.

Educators will walk away with a deeper understanding of:

• Emotional development in young children
• How to manage challenging behaviors in the classroom
• Practical strategies for supporting neuro-diverse learners in their classroom.

The Materials, Tools, Skills and Language that Support Children’s Artistic Development

with Robin Koo

Children’s creative experiences are such an important part of their overall development. This workshop aims to provide participants with both practical knowledge and experience of materials and tools, as well as an understanding of the milestones in children’s artistic development and the pedagogical lens for observing their creative endeavors. Join us as we discuss, share and experience the various components that comprise a rich creative experience for young children in an early childhood setting.

Participants will:

• Get an overview of artistic development in children, ages 0 to 5 and the milestones that can be expected and celebrated.
• Have time to explore materials, such as cardboard, clay, and wire.
• Learn about the tools the children can use to manipulate these materials, as well as the tools that teachers can use to ease the preparation of found materials.
• Hear examples of language that support children’s development.
• Think about how pedagogical values are conveyed in choices made about the environment, materials, and communications to families.