In this session, we will discuss the importance of self-care and what measures we can take to foster our well-being. Participants will learn how to use music and mindfulness to both address the social emotional needs of young children, as well as to help reduce stress. We will review the causes of certain behaviors children are exhibiting , as well as our responses to these behaviors. We will review Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, specifically the need for belonging. We will then review the various stress responses and how they present themselves in both children and adults. Attendees will be introduced to mindfulness and its benefits and how it can be implemented in the early childhood setting. We will discuss music elements that specifically target self-regulation and executive function skills, and how to choose music with intentionality and that is developmentally appropriate for young children. We will then explore a variety of music and mindfulness activities that are simple yet engaging. These activities will be differentiated to target the various age groups including infant, toddler, and preschooler.

Participants can expect to sing, dance, play games, and experiment with instruments, as well as engage in mindfulness exercises such as breath work, guided meditations, journaling prompts, and body scans. These activities will both help nourish and meet the needs of the educators as well as the children in their care. Participants will leave both invigorated and refreshed, and armed with a full repertoire of activities they can implement as soon as Monday morning. Everyone will receive a journal, digital packet of resources, as well as links to playlists which will contain all music introduced during the session.

Literacy development is happening all around us—in ways we often don’t expect. In this session, Laura Shea and Ade Hofmann will help you uncover the hidden connections between outdoor play and essential pre-writing and pre-reading skills.We’ll explore the physical foundations of literacy, from building core strength and crossing the midline to refining the pincer grasp through playful activities like grating chalk or handling tools. You'll learn to notice ""print"" in abstract objects like sticks, stones, and even shadows—helping children develop symbolic thinking and pattern recognition without ever picking up a worksheet. This training will begin to dissolve the fear of children not being “ready” for kindergarten by offering a new lens on readiness: one that values exploration, movement, and curiosity as essential parts of literacy. Discover how to recognize and celebrate literacy in unexpected places, and leave with practical tools to support children's learning naturally, joyfully, and without pressure.

Learn how typical toddler development and stress can spur the behaviors caregivers find challenging. Gain toddler-specific redirection techniques, hands-on tools, and positive communication methods that will inspire toddlers to follow your direction. Hear entertaining, real-life stories and analyze video examples that show the strategies in action.