NAEYC Learning Lab: Summer Learning Opportunities!

Though the Professional Learning Institute will no longer be held this June, we're offering a great chance to build your skillset during the summer! If you attended either of our 2024 events, here’s your chance to see sessions you may have missed. And if you weren't able to attend, you'll get a preview of what to expect from future conferences! 

NAEYC is now providing online access to 16 sessions originally presented at our 2024 Annual Conference and our 2024 Professional Learning Institute!

As an IACET Accredited  Provider, NAEYC is now offering IACET CEUs for its Learning Lab: 2024 Edition in compliance with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. Participants can earn 0.1 CEUs upon completion of each training. Click here for FAQs. 

Session Pricing
         •    2024 Annual Conference: $35 each
         •    2024 Professional Learning Institute: $45 each

2024 Annual Conference Sessions

Children are not things to be molded, but people to be unfolded: An interdisciplinary view of child development through developmental cascades

Presenter: Zlata Stankovic-Ramirez & Danielle McLellan-Bujnak    
Topic Track: Curriculum - Theories and Approaches 
Description: In this session, participants will explore the concept of developmental cascades as a dynamic and interdisciplinary framework for understanding child development. Presenters will share how observing across domains and developmental layers reveals each child's unique growth path.
Price: $35
Purchase session here

Outdoor Adventures: 3 Ways to Boost Outdoor Play and Learning: Your Yard, Your Stuff, Your Yes! 

Presenters: Rusty Keeler  
Topic Track: Learning Environment  
Description: In this session, participants will discover how to incorporate loose parts, nature, and risk into outdoor play spaces, even with limited resources. Presenters will offer humorous insights, research-backed benefits, and practical ideas to support children’s adventurous play.
Price: $35
Purchase session here

Being a director is easy (except the bike is on fire; you are on fire; everything is on fire): Tips for new and not-so-new directors

Presenters: Jill Jacobi-Vessels & Amy Kay Powell  
Topic Track: Program Administration, Evaluation, and Financial Management  
Description: In this session, presenters will share real-world strategies for managing teams, maintaining staff, and handling the daily challenges of center leadership. Participants will also explore the importance of self-care and building a peer support network.
Price: $35
Purchase session here

New Thriving Workplace Index: A Tool to Promote Well-Being and Retain Staff

Presenters: Ellen Galinsky, Brianna Cambra, and Deborah Bergeron
Topic Track: Leadership 
Description: In this session, participants will learn about a research-based approach to improving workplace culture through surveys that assess key relationships and psychological needs. Attendees will reflect on their own work settings and leave with strategies for creating healthier, more satisfying work environments. 
Price: $35
Purchase session here

Joyful Learning in the Natural World: Snails, Worms, and Holes in Trees

Presenter: Melissa Fine
Topic Track: Teaching and Instructional Practices
Description: In this session, participants will join a former kindergarten teacher to explore how nature-based learning can seamlessly integrate literacy, math, and science. Examples from real classrooms will illustrate how student interests drive joyful learning experiences. (This training is equivalent to 0.2 CEUs)
Price: $35
Purchase session here

Bringing Back the Glee through Joyful Literacy!

Presenter: Steven Hicks, Pamela Spycher, and Julie Montali
Topic Track: Language and Literacy
Description: In this session, participants will engage with the Joyful Reading and Creative Expression Planning Guide to promote literacy, emotional growth, and creativity in young learners. Attendees will receive free resources, explore evidence-based strategies, and leave ready to strengthen connections with children and families.
Price: $35
Purchase session here

Realistic expectations and partnering with family child care community educators

Presenters: Deziree Mattocks, Tessie Ragan, and Yessika Magdaleno
Topic Track: Advocacy/Public Policy  
Description: In this session, participants will discuss the impact of universal pre-K legislation on family child care providers. Presenters will explore strategies for building effective partnerships with school districts while ensuring the sustainability of family-based programs.
Price: $35
Purchase session here

Simple strategies for creating positive verbal environments: Promoting healthy social and emotional development and connection with and guidance of young children

Presenter: Amber Tankersley 
Topic Track: Social and Emotional Development
Description: In this session, participants will learn simple, powerful ways to build positive verbal environments that support children’s self-esteem, independence, and sense of belonging. Presenters will share practical strategies that can be used across early childhood settings.
Price: $35
Purchase session here

Using a cycle of inquiry to create documentation panels: Making learning and thinking visible

Presenters: Jane Broderick, Seong Bock Hong, Jennifer Streagle, and Maria Lopez
Topic Track: Curriculum – Theories and Approaches 
Description: In this session, presenters will guide participants through the process of documenting children's learning using photos, video, and observation data. Inspired by a Reggio approach, attendees will co-create documentation panels that reveal children’s evolving ideas about friendship.
Price: $35
Purchase session here

2024 Professional Learning Institute Sessions

Building the Best (Creating, Supporting, & Motivating)

Presenters: Rachel Fisher
Topic Track: Leadership  
Description: This session is specifically designed for practitioners and is based on evidence-based theories with a clear focus on critical deliverables for high returns. Participants will learn about the tools that can be used to raise expectations, increase productivity, and provide enriching feedback and growth opportunities.
Price: $45
Purchase session here

Coaching Is the Tip of the Iceberg: What’s Hiding Underneath?

Presenters: Sarah Sexton
Topic Track: Technical Assistance (Coaching, Mentoring, Consultation)  
Description: This session focuses on the key characteristics of effective coaching conversations and participants will learn strategies for planning efficient and productive conversations with staff or peers on any topic.
Price: $45
Purchase session here

Conflict Resolution as a Tool in Professional Learning or Coaching Settings

Presenters: Nancy Nicewonger
Topic Track: Professionalism and Ethics  
Description: This session will put participants on the path toward healthy conflict resolution--providing these tools to educators will build healthy organizations, classrooms and careers.
Price: $45
Purchase session here

Moving Beyond PowerPoint: Making Virtual and In-Person Training Engaging, Interactive, and Fun!

Presenters: Nancy Alexander, Andre Ransom, and Pheriche Perkins
Topic Track: Educator/Teacher Preparation 
Description: This highly interactive session will demonstrate activities, materials, and skills to successfully implement attention and engagement strategies in teaching adults, whether training is in-person or virtual.
Price: $45
Purchase session here

Stick Together: Building a Stronger, More Connected Team Regardless of Generational Differences, Cultural Diversity, Child Care Experience, or Personal Upbringing

Presenters: Jennifer Romanoff
Topic Track: Leadership 
Description: This session will share perspectives, strategies, and tools that will equip administrators and their teams to build deeper connections that aid in everyone coming together to make each day a success, regardless of what the day brings!
Price: $45
Purchase link coming soon

Transforming Leadership with Emotional Intelligence

Presenters: Tara Dickerson & Liz Thorne
Topic Track: Leadership 
Description: This session will review the advantages of using emotional intelligence to improve collaboration and create positive interactions in early childhood education settings.
Price: $45
Purchase session here

Using Observation to Supervise, Coach, and Evaluate Early Childhood Educators

Presenters: Nancy Toso
Topic Track: Technical Assistance (Coaching, Mentoring, Consultation)
Description: This session will review the purpose, process, and components of effective teacher observations. Participants will learn how to provide feedback to educators and actively partner with them to help them build on their strengths and address their challenges
Price: $45
Purchase session here