76th Annual SECA Conference

Babies are learning language from the moment they are born. As we learn more about how the brain develops, we have learned the importance of talking with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Current research practices for supporting early language and literacy place a specific focus on the connections between language and brain development. Dr. Patricia Kuhl from the University of Washington has conducted extensive research on early language and brain development. Her work has played a vital role in how we understand the effects of exposure to language at an early age supports the structure of the brain during the most pivotal developmental stage. Research from Dr. David Dickinson at Vanderbilt University explores specific ways adults can support language in young children through responsive interactions. 85% of brain development takes place during the first three years of a child’s life. The connections between oral language and literacy development show a supportive relationships to executive function skills, vocabulary acquisition, and home language and the impact of these on all future learning. By exploring specific techniques for talking and increasing conversational turns to support language development through child-directed speech, narrative talk, reading books, using home language, and storytelling activities adults working with children can support families in providing opportunities to increase the quality and quantity of spoken language through everyday practices. We will explore initiatives and programs that provide ways for practitioners, childcare workers, and families to gain access to resources to support practical strategies for increasing language and supporting brain development.

This interactive session equips early childhood educators with the foundational knowledge of sensory processing in young children. Led by an occupational therapist with 27 years experience in pediatric field, the session explores how children experience the world through their senses. Participants will gain a practical understanding of sensory processing challenges and discover how to recognize signs in their classrooms.

Through engaging activities and real-life examples, educators will learn simple strategies to create supportive environments that cater to diverse sensory needs. The session will cover topics such as:

*The sensory system and its impact on learning
*Identifying signs of sensory over- and under-stimulation
*Adapting the classroom environment to promote sensory regulation
*Easy-to-implement activities that cater to different sensory preferences

By the end of this session, educators will feel empowered to create classrooms where all children can thrive and learn comfortably.

Most teachers, therapists and childcare facilities are hesitant to deal with children with special needs, especially autism spectrum disorder because of the challenges they present.
We are breaking the barriers of limitations with a combination of awareness about disabilities and empowering parents. Facilitating inclusion helps all of us understand that we have more in common, being different physically or emotionally is just a normal part of life.

Meaningful planning is an essential practice to support optimal development for young children. This session will help participants plan and create activities that are meaningful. Participants will learn ways to extend learning through their interactions by implementing the CLASS tool. Participants will engage in hands-on activities to discuss ways to extend learning opportunities in meaningful ways.

Join us for an engaging workshop designed for early childhood professionals focusing on integrating AI tools in early childhood education. This session will cover AI basics and demonstrate practical applications to enhance teaching and learning. Participants will engage in hands-on demonstrations of AI tools, exploring how these technologies can support diverse educational needs. We’ll discuss strategies for personalized learning experiences, using data to inform instruction, and fostering children's development. We will also address common challenges and concerns regarding AI in early childhood settings, equipping participants with strategies to navigate these issues while maximizing AI's benefits. The workshop will emphasize innovative curriculum design, offering approaches to create interactive lessons that leverage AI to enrich the learning experience. Participants are encouraged to bring their own devices if they wish to try creating their own curriculum during the session. To support ongoing collaboration, attendees will gain access to a shared electronic file containing resources and insights post-workshop. Join us to discover how AI can transform your early childhood classroom, empowering educators and supporting every child's unique learning path.

Are you seeing escalating challenging behaviors in your classroom and/or program and feeling unsure how to create an effective plan to help both the teacher and child? This session takes a deep dive into the creation and use of easy to implement, actionable behavior change plans. Participants will be trained on FirstDay’s ABC-123 plan for effective prevention and responses to challenging behavior. Time and guidance will be provided to understand the key steps in a behavior change program and make specific plans to implement them in your own programs and classrooms.