Deadline for Submission has now closed

About the theme

Emotions play important roles in human development. They guide our behavior and motivate us from infancy through our adult lives. The early childhood field needs adults with the ability to understand and manage emotions, to use emotions as a basis for enhanced thinking. And, the early childhood field needs adults who can foster emotional intelligence in young children.
 
Each year, the Institute focuses on a theme that addresses a key issue in the field. In addition to theme-related sessions, the Institute also covers topics such as current research and issues in higher education, in-service training programs, program administration, linguistic and cultural diversity, public policy advocacy, and many aspects of developmentally appropriate practice, literacy, math, science, physical development, and more!

Recommended features of proposed sessions

We encourage sessions that incorporate:

• Effective active learning techniques.
• Content and learning techniques appropriate for a mixed audience of professionals who include teacher educators, program administrators, and other “typical” Institute participants (unless clearly identifying a specific target audience in your proposal).
• Approaches that help participants turn ideas into action.    
• New research, new strategies, or fresh perspectives on traditional content.
• Dissemination of materials and resources during and after the session.

Proposals can be submitted for 1-hour, 1.5-hour sessions, or research poster sessions

• One-hour sessions are forums for information dissemination—including sessions that address current issues, present recent research reports, provide an overview of upcoming proposed legislation, and others.
• One-and-a-half hour sessions include participant interaction during at least half of the scheduled time—with time to engage in discussions with colleagues, reflect, and think about what participants will take home for implementation.
• Research Poster Sessions offer participants opportunities to learn about cutting-edge research in the field of early childhood education by visiting the poster displays and speaking with researchers.

Information for presenters

Discounted registration fee for presenters: Presenters of 1-hour, 1.5-hour sessions, or research poster sessions at NAEYC’s National Institute will register at a specially discounted fee. Registration information for presenters will be sent after proposals are selected.

Audiovisual equipment: NAEYC will provide a projection screen and stand, and, if requested, an LCD projector. Laptops, DVD players, VHS players, sound patches, flip charts, and other equipment can be rented through our AV vendor.

Important dates: All proposals must be received by November 1, 2009. Notification of proposal selections will be made by March 31, 2010.

Revising or deleting your proposal: You may revise or delete your submitted proposal before November 1, 2009.

About the Institute

NAEYC’s National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development is designed for teacher educators, program administrators, and others who provide professional preparation and ongoing professional development experiences for the early childhood workforce: center- and school-based teaching staff, family child care providers, and other direct service specialists. The goal of the Institute is to deepen participants’ understanding of the expanding early childhood knowledge base, develop skills that improve professional preparation and practice, and sharpen their ability to use effective, active learning approaches for adults.
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