Detailed Agenda

April 8, 2025

7:00-8:00

Morning Yoga

Lefevre

Set aside some time to promote calmness, joy, and clarity during your conference participation. Learn to integrate yoga breathing strategies and playful movement into your daily life with children. By taking the time to care for yourself so you are better able to care for others in your work or classroom schedule and routines, you are modeling and practicing the benefits of doing both at the same time!

8:00 - 9:00

Registration & Breakfast

Leander Choate

9:00 - 10:45

Conference Welcome and Keynote

Paul L

Conference Welcome

Sherry W. Kimball, Early Childhood Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Sara Knueve, Assistant Deputy State Superintendent, Wis. Department of Public Instruction

Keynote: When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Lessons for Early Learners (and Their Helpers, Too)

Ryan Rydzweski, Co-Author of When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids

What if Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood wasn’t just a children’s program? What if it was actually a blueprint — one proven to help teachers, families, and communities raise happier, healthier kids?

In the bestselling book When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids, Ryan Rydzewski reveals Fred Rogers as more than a nice guy in a sweater. In fact, Fred was an ingenious scientist and a legendary early childhood educator who was decades ahead of his time.

Fred engineered every aspect of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood to help young learners develop “tools for learning” — the skills and mindsets now deemed essential for school, work, and life. In this keynote talk, Ryan will explore Fred’s fascinating methods for helping Wisconsinites in the early childhood field build Neighborhoods of their own: places that equip every child to become the best of whoever they are.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Child Development (DEV), Learning Experiences, Strategies, and Curriculum (LRN), Family and Community Relationships

Some participant engagement and discussion.

Handout

10:45-11:00

Break / Snack

11:00-12:15

Morning Breakout Sessions

Thistle

Keynote Breakout: Finding Inspiration and Guidance in Fred Rogers’ Work

Ryan Rydzweski, Co-Author of When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids

In this interactive breakout session, Ryan Rydzewski will lead a deep dive into the many ways that educators are applying Fred Rogers’ lessons. The breakout will also include time for Q&A, discussion, and book signing

Full participant engagement and discussion.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Guidance and nurturing (GUI), Child Development (DEV)

Handout

Henerietta

Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) and WI 2023 Act 20: Intersections and Resources

Sherry W. Kimball, Early Childhood Consultant, Wis. Department of Public Instruction

Barb, Novak, Director, Office of Literacy, Wis. Department of Public Instruction

Act 20 strives to improve early literacy outcomes for every Wisconsin child. In 4K, this includes fall and spring screening with aimswebPlus. This interactive session will explore how to use DAP to strengthen language and literacy outcomes (with a specific focus on 4K). Participants will explore DAP for language and literacy through small group discussion and shared learning. Real-time learning and generated ideas will be captured and used to guide the DPI in developing future resources to support the use of DAP for early literacy development.

Slide Deck

Some participant engagement and discussion.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Child Development (DEV), Learning Experiences, Strategies and Curriculum (LRN), Observation, Screening and Assessment (OSA)

Dixie

Bridging Science and Relationships-How Brain Development, Developmentally Appropriate Strategies and Family Engagement Foster Learning

Briana Kurlinkus, Early Childhood Trainer, 4C-Helping Communities Help Children

This session will explore the connection between early brain development, the importance of family engagement, and the implementation of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) to optimize learning and well-being in young children.

Full participant engagement and discussion.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Diversity (DIV), Learning Experiences, Strategies and Curriculum (LRN), Family and Community Relationships (COM)

Evelyn

Developing Reflective Capacity for Nurturing Young Children

Ashley Bowers, Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health

Working with young children is emotionally evocative and a paradoxically energizing and energy-draining experience at times. To show up as our best selves and be equipped to utilize developmentally appropriate practices we need for nurturing, responsive relationships with young children, we must be equipped with the knowledge and the conditions that support reflection and curiosity to navigate the complexities of early development. This session will support increasing reflective capacity by promoting attunement, cultural responsiveness, flexibility in thinking, and holding multiple perspectives. Reflection is a key tool for our toolbox especially when we feel stuck or overwhelmed. With it, we can sustain hope and generate ideas for tackling today's challenges while bolstering our capacity for future ones.

Some participant engagement and discussion.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Child Development (DEV), Diversity (DIV), Guidance and Nurturing (GUI)

BF Carter

Flexible, Inclusive, Developmentally Appropriate Phonological Awareness Instruction

Heather Pauly, Ph.D. SLP-CCC Assistant Professor, Concordia University WI

Elizabeth Eernisse, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Concordia University WI

This presentation will marry the science of foundational phonological awareness instruction with age appropriate approaches that can be implemented across a variety of indoor and outdoor settings. We will begin with an overview of phonological awareness development, discuss developmentally appropriate assessment strategies, then turn to instruction. The discussion on instruction will focus on how to engage young children in phonological awareness activities using classroom tools such as literature books and play to outdoor manipulatives that can transition instruction to nature. The presentation will also integrate principles for children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), making phonological awareness instruction accessible for all! Participant questions, sharing, and brainstorming will be encouraged throughout.

Some participant engagement and discussion.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Child Development (DEV), Learning Experiences, Strategies and Curriculum (LRN), Special Needs, Disabilities, and inclusive Practice (INC)

Slide Deck

John Lynch

Planning Your Physical Environment to Reduce Challenging Behaviors

YoungStar Connect

"In this session, you will review key elements of your physical, social, and sensory environments that best support young children. As a participant, you will evaluate your physical environment using a reflection tool which incorporates developmentally appropriate environment elements as well as, examine the connection between your learning space and how behavior is affected. Then you will proactively plan for modifications to refresh interest centers, increase child engagement, and reduce behaviors that challenge you.

**To get the most out of this session, please come with images, a drawing, or a diagram of your learning space.**

Full participant engagement and discussion.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Child Development (DEV), Learning Experiences, Strategies and Curriculum (LRN), Guidance and Nurturing (GUI), Planning, Reflection, and Evaluation (PRE)

12:15-1:15

Lunch and Above and Beyond Award Recognitions

Leander Choate

1:15-2:30

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

John Lynch

An Introduction to The Nurtured Heart Approach

Sara Jane Lee, SASD 4K Coordinator, Special Ed Coordinator, Certified Nurtured Heart Trainer,

Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) Trainer, Stoughton Area School District

"The Nurtured Heart Approach consists of a set of strategies that assists children in further developing their self-regulation and has been found effective with children of all ages. It focuses on transforming the way children perceive themselves, their caregivers and the world around them. Children learn to understand that they will receive endless amounts of praise, energy, recognition and reward through the positive behavior they display and this supports children to build a positive portfolio of themselves, which we call “Inner Wealth™.”

The Nurtured Heart Approach embraces The 3 Stands™, that when committed to, become a powerful means of transforming children:

Stand 1: ABSOLUTELY NO!

I refuse to give my time, energy and relationship to negative behavior. I will not accidentally foster failure nor will I reward problems by responding to them in animated ways. I will save my time and energy for searching for success.

Stand 2: ABSOLUTELY YES!

I will relentlessly and strategically pull the child into new patterns of success. I will constantly recognize the success and achievement that children are displaying no matter how small and present them with clear undeniable evidence of their value and how great they are.

Stand 3: ABSOLUTELY CLEAR!

I will have clear and consistent consequences for children when a rule has been broken. “Here are the rules, and here’s what happens when you break a rule.”

The Nurtured Heart Approach® (NHA) is more than just a parenting or educator behavior management strategy. It is a philosophy for creating healthy relationships with the people in your life. Come learn how you can build appreciative, uplifting relationships between with adults and children!"

Some participant engagement and discussion.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Child Development (DEV), Learning Experiences, Strategies and Curriculum (LRN), Guidance and Nurturing (GUI), Family and Community Relationships (COM), Health, Safety and Nutrition (SAF), Professionalism (PRO)

Handouts

BF Carter

Connecting with Compassion

Jami Hoekstra Collins, PBS Wisconsin Education

Gretchen Guinn Paquette, Early Childhood Education Instructor, Western Technical College

Explore strategies, resources and policies that are integral to building a foundation of connections and relationships in the context of your unique early childhood programs. Discover resources that welcome and affirm all children and families into your learning communities.

Some participant engagement and discussion.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Diversity (DIV), Learning Experiences, Strategies and Curriculum (LRN), Family and Community Relationships (COM)

Evelyn

How to Create an Engaging Classroom

Jennifer Willoughby, Director of Early Childhood & Family Engagement, School District of Superior

We will talk about what it means to be an intentional teacher, using components of best practice to create activities through a play-based approach while creating joyful and engaging learning for your students. These ideas can be used within a preschool or school-age classroom.

Some participant engagement and discussion.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Child Development (DEV), Learning Experiences, Strategies and Curriculum (LRN)

Dixie

Introduction to Healthy Media Habits: A Video Series and Resources for Families and Child Care Providers of Children Ages 0-5

Rebecca Mather, Prevention Education Specialist, Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board

Media increasingly dominates and influences young children's lives. This video curriculum, developed by child media experts, Drs. Roxy Etta and Liz Horgan, provides caregivers with the latest research and guidelines for managing media use and maximizing learning benefits for young children. The videos and accompanying tools offer concrete strategies and resources to support caregivers in maintaining a balanced and beneficial media environment for children. This free video curriculum is distributed by the WI Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board and Supporting Families Together Association.

Some participant engagement and discussion.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Child Development (DEV), Learning Experiences, Strategies and Curriculum (LRN), Guidance and Nurturing (GUI)

Henerietta

Sound Beginnings: The Learning Benefits of Music in Early Childhood Classroom

Steve Girman, Waukesha County Technical College

There is a growing body of research that shows that engaging in teacher-led music experiences helps young children in language, literacy, and social-emotional development. These rich experiences are too often being replaced by "brain-break" Youtube videos while teachers prepare for the next learning block. This presentation will explore the techniques that help teachers use music to transform their classrooms into a caring community of learners.

Full participant engagement and discussion.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Child Development (DEV), Diversity (DIV), Learning Experiences, Strategies and Curriculum (LRN), Guidance and Nurturing (GUI), Family and Community Relationships (COM)

Thistle

Building Phonemic and Phonological Awareness during Play in 4K

Suzette Preston, Director of 4K, Appleton Area School District

Kathy Jo Uslabar, 4K Program Support Teacher, Appleton Area School District

This presentation is specially directed toward 4K and elementary teachers and administrators who are looking for more specific teaching skills supporting Act 20 in 4K. The presenter(s) will focus on using developmentally appropriate practices to build phonemic and phonological awareness during explicit and play based settings.

Some participant engagement and discussion.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Child Development (DEV), Learning Experiences, Strategies and Curriculum (LRN)

Slide deck

2:30-2:45

Break

2:45-4:00

Wondering Out Loud

Join with colleagues from around the state in an interactive session to brainstorm and identify solutions to shared challenges facing educators, districts, and early childhood professionals.

Find your assigned room that corresponds with the color of your sticker:

Red: Henrietta
Blue: Evelyn
Purple: BF Carter
Green: John Lynch
Yellow: Dixie

Some participant engagement and discussion.

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies: Professionalism (PRO), Planning, Reflection, and Evaluation (PRE)

3:45-4:30

Break

Wisconsin Core Competency/ies:

4:30-5:30

Topical Tapas

Bar/Lounge

Join your colleagues for a casual networking event and some friendly conversations. We will have tapas available for a light snack. Participants are welcome to bring your own beverages to enjoy or purchase one from the hotel restaurant/bar.

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