Mr. Al has produced and recorded over twenty children’s albums, including "Mr. Al Sings Colors," "Kids Wanna Rock," and "Back to School." He will get you grooving while you learn!

A key factor in reading readiness is a good vocabulary. Join Mr. Al for "Music and Language: The Bridge to Literacy" to learn the value of early and continuing musical experiences and how they can be used to promote literacy. Participate in "Music for the Mind (and Soul)" for a poignant look at how music and movement can help unlock every child’s brain power. Then, jump into music, games, and finger plays as creative ways to help young children master mathematical concepts.

General Conference:

• Friday, April 27 ~ Opening Session for Keynote Address  •  Music and Language: The Bridge to Literacy   •  Music for the Mind (and Soul)
• Saturday, April 28 ~ Opening Session for Keynote Address   •   Integrating Math Into Everything You Do   •   Music and Language: The Bridge to Literacy

You asked for her, so we brought her to you!

Susie, a leading expert on connecting outdoor play with the environment, will be giving the pre-conference session "Learning with Nature: Inspiring Children’s Work and Play, Naturally!" Her message will continue during her Friday workshop, which emphasizes the life-changing benefits of nature on children. Susie will conclude her time with us by demonstrating how incorporating the environment and outdoor play can enhance relationships with families. Don’t miss out on hearing from one of the nation’s leading authorities on turning nature into a playground!

Pre-Conference: Thursday, April 26 ~ Learning with Nature: Inspiring Children's Work and Play, Naturally!

General Conference: 

• Friday, April 27 ~ The Life-Changing Benefits of Connecting Children with Nature    •   Using a Look-Move-Build-Sketch Model to Inspire Children to Connect with the Natural World
• Saturday, April 28 ~ The Life-Changing Benefits of Connecting Children with Nature

Leap Into Literacy

Hear from the project director for the Indiana Birth to Age Five Literacy Framework, Corinne Eisenhart, who has worked closely with the Indiana Department of Education. As a member of the National Reading Technical Assistance team, she also provided consultation for state implementation of Reading First and authored the chapter on writing for the Indiana K-6 Reading Framework. Corinne is a senior research associate for RMC Research Corporation where she provides consultation on and professional development about scientifically-based reading research, language development, and educational leadership to state departments of education and school districts throughout the nation. She is also the Early Learning Strand director for the Center on Instruction and was recently appointed to the Technical Advisory Group for the development of the Mid-Continent Comprehensive Center’s Early Literacy Knowledge Base.

Pre-Conference: Thursday, April 26 ~ The Indiana Birth to Age 5 Literacy Framework: Building a Foundation for Language and Learning Success

General Conference:

• Friday, April 27 ~ Dialogic Reading: A Read Aloud Strategy to Build Young Children's Oral Vocabulary 

Juanita’s book, The Young Child and Mathematics, is a NAEYC best-seller! Come learn fun and creative ways to teach mathematical concepts.

Young children constantly are comparing and measuring objects, animals, and family members. Activities presented in "Are You Bigger Than Me?" are connected to the concepts of measurement (conservation, transitivity, and unit) and appropriate objectives. Video clips and work samples will be shared, and you will have access to a handout. Juanita’s "Coaching Teachers of Young Children in Mathematics" session will focus on a two-year coaching project in a pre-kindergarten setting. Video clips, work samples, teacher interviews, and child outcome data will be presented along with opportunities to share coaching experiences via website interactions. And in her "One, Two, Three" workshop, she will introduce five important number concepts, explain the development paths for each of the concepts and demonstrate appropriate activities that address each of the concepts.

General Conference: 

• Friday, April 27 ~ Are You Bigger Than Me? Measurement Activities for Young Children   •   Coaching Teachers of Young Children in Mathematics
• Saturday, April 28 ~ One, Two, Three, Teen, Teen, Twenty: Number and Operation Activities for Young

Join Dan’s pre-conference session to learn whether boys really learn differently than girls and increase your awareness of boys by understanding how they learn, how to educate them, and how to create supportive environments. "I Am the Sunshine of My Life" will inspire you by bringing to light the important role you play in the early childhood field. With "Inside the Minds of Those Fascinating Preschoolers," Dan will help you understand why preschool behavior is so unique and how to put into practice all you know about this age group. Then, in "Creating the Thinking Child," you will examine the unconscious messages that we send to children, how different types of children respond to those messages, and how to create an environment that honors children’s needs and helps them feel a sense of belonging.

Pre-Conference: Thursday, April 26 ~ Boys, Changing the Classroom and Not the Child

General Conference:

• Friday, April 27 ~ I Am the Sunshine of My Life • Inside the Minds of Those Fascinating Preschoolers
• Saturday, April 28 ~ Creating the Thinking Child 

Kick off your conference extravaganza by attending Lisa’s pre-conference session, where many of her most requested workshops will be integrated for a day of playing, learning, and laughing. Then, join Lisa for "Making Time for Books and Stories" and "Let’s Go Outside!" on Friday. In these sessions, Lisa will show you how to make gathering and outdoor time more meaningful. On Saturday, get in on science and sensory play with "Ooey Gooey® Squishy Plop," then participate in classic finger plays in "10 Little Hot Dogs." Finish the day with "The Importance of Early Experiences," where you will identify the seven things we need to do with children each day to encourage a life-long love of learning.

Pre-Conference: Thursday, April 26 ~ What if Today Were Their Only Day? Fizzle-Bubble - Let’s Go Outside - Early Learning Experiences!

General Conference:

• Friday, April 27 ~ Making Time for Books and Stories   •   Let’s Go Outside!
• Saturday, April 28 ~ Ooey Gooey® Squishy Plop   •   10 Little Hot Dogs Frying in the What??!!?   •   The Importance of Early Learning Experiences