Early Childhood Days of Play June 2025: Full Schedule

8:30am CDT

Growing Through Movement: Honoring the Journey of Childhood LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

In a world of academic benchmarks and fast-paced instruction, it’s easy to forget that childhood is not a race to the next milestone—it's a meaningful journey of growth, exploration, and discovery. This session invites educators to re-center their practice around the developmental needs of children, with a special focus on the vital role of movement in learning. Grounded in the principles of embodied cognition—the understanding that children think, learn, and make meaning through their bodies—this session highlights how movement isn't just physical activity; it's cognitive, emotional, and social development in action.

Speakers

Athena Oden

Author and Founder, Ready Bodies, Learning Minds

Athena Oden, P.T. and author of the Ready Bodies Learning Minds workshop and curriculum is widely recognized across the U.S. for her down-to-earth approach to teaching and the practical, powerful nature of the program. Athena is driven by a genuine desire to give children the foundation... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Engage AB

Keynote

10:15am CDT

Engaging Children in a Literacy Playground! LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am CDT

Connect A

This session will feature play-based activities to strengthen the foundation skills of early literacy: alphabet knowledge, phonological awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and written expression. Participants will identify skill development and apply knowledge to age appropriate and fundamental activities to build a love of literacy!

Speakers

Dianne Patterson

Early Literacy Consultant, Frog Street

Dianne Patterson is a national literacy consultant. Her classroom experience spans early childhood special needs, Prekindergarten, primary grades, and adult education. Dianne shares interactive presentations focusing on intentional teaching and literacy acquisition. She authored... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am CDT
Connect A

Book Talk

10:15am CDT

Messy Minds: The Magic of Mud Play LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am CDT

Create A

Let's celebrate International Mud Day (June 29) early! Learn to get comfortable with manageable and valuable messes that can support a variety of learning, including age-appropriate books about mud!

Speakers

Cheryl Potemkin

Learning Manager, Early Childhood Programs, Botanical Research Institute of Texas

At Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Cheryl is dedicated to implementing early childhood programs and professional development, teaching science thinking concepts through quality children’s literature and hands-on Environmental-STEM activities. Her work includes nature-based family story... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am CDT
Create A

Book Talk

10:15am CDT

Exploring the World One Touch at a Time: Fine Motor & Sensory Fun LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am CDT

Innovate A

Sensory and fine motor activities can sometimes be messy in a classroom, but that's okay! Our young learners should have the opportunity to explore different textures, helping to develop their small hands for more complex tasks ahead. This session discusses the importance of sensory and fine motor activities, examples of materials and where to find them, and shows implementation in pre-K classrooms. Teachers will also get to make their own sensory box!

Speakers

Michelle Watson

Instructional Coach and Professional Development Specialist, Denton ISD

Taryn Hope

Instructional Coach and Professional Development Specialist, Denton ISD

Friday June 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am CDT
Innovate A

Make & Take

10:15am CDT

Incorporating Play Using PBS Learning Media LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am CDT

Innovate B

Join KERA in a playful approach to incorporating PBS LearningMedia into your classroom. In this session, we'll show you how to access engaging videos, interactive activities, and customizable lessons to enrich your students’ learning through free, standards-aligned resources for learners of all ages and grade levels. We’ll take a look at how to integrate media in a playful way by exploring online resources with shows like Lyla in the Loop and Work It Out Wombats followed by engaging in hands-on activities to motivate and inspire students and teachers alike to learn through the design process and playful experiences.

Speakers

Meagan Bolton

Family Engagement Specialist, KERA

Valeria Hernandez

Family Engagement Specialist, KERA

Friday June 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am CDT
Innovate B

Playground

10:15am CDT

Play is the Plan: Early Learning That Sticks! LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am CDT

Connect B

In early childhood, play isn’t just recess—it’s the richest, most powerful pathway to learning. This session explores the magic and mechanics of play-based learning, with practical strategies to support and scaffold students to grow from parallel play to rich, mature, collaborative experiences. We’ll explore ways to guide and expand student play through intentional modeling, prompts, and storytelling, while embedding meaningful learning into playful, project-based experiences. Whether building dramatic play centers, diving into fairy tale engineering challenges, or using puppets to support SEL, you’ll leave with ideas to implement tomorrow—and a renewed belief in the transformative power of play.

Speakers

Mary Eldredge

Early Childhood Librarian at Kooken Educational Center, Arlington ISD

Mary Eldredge is a magical mix of early-childhood educator, joyful librarian, and clever creator —all rolled into one glitter-glue-splattered champion of children. After years of teaching, she followed her heart and became a librarian. Now, her days are filled with reading, dancing... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am CDT
Connect B

Playground

10:15am CDT

Who's the Boss?: Build Relationships and Grow Skills by Letting Little Learners Lead LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am CDT

Create B

Autonomy equals safety for many children, especially very young children and those with autism and other developmental disabilities. Learn how giving young and neurodivergent students more control over their play and education helps to grow their confidence as well as social-emotional, communication, and academic skills.

Speakers

Jenn Barker

Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Arlington ISD

Jennifer Barker is an Early Childhood Special Education teacher in Arlington ISD. Her passion is learning about neurodiversity-affirming practices and sharing that knowledge with others.

Friday June 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am CDT
Create B

Playground

12:45pm CDT

Messy Minds: The Magic of Mud Play LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT

Create A

Let's celebrate International Mud Day (June 29) early! Learn to get comfortable with manageable and valuable messes that can support a variety of learning, including age-appropriate books about mud!

Speakers

Cheryl Potemkin

Learning Manager, Early Childhood Programs, Botanical Research Institute of Texas

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT
Create A

Book Talk

12:45pm CDT

Popsicle Pleasures/El placer de una paleta LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT

Create B

A deep dive into the read aloud "What Can You Do With a Paleta/Que puedes hacer con una paleta" We will learn tips for reading aloud, learn ways to engage student thinking and talking and connect to center activities.

Speakers

Annette Lopez

PreK 4 HeadStart partnership, Everman ISD

I am a professional educator of 19 years with experience in PK -5, After School Programs, Bilingual Instructional Specialist and drama/fine arts clubs. I have also worked in the film industry, recorded music, made greeting cards, managed a bakery and piped cupcakes for a commercial... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT
Create B

Book Talk

12:45pm CDT

Storytime Senses: Bringing Books to Life Through Sensory Play LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT

Connect B

Read-aloud doesn’t have to be limited to the carpet! In this session, we’ll explore nine read-aloud books that align with the themes of SAVVAS Three Cheers. We’ll briefly review each book, highlight key vocabulary, discuss interactive questions, and demonstrate a sensory activity to extend the learning experience. Participants will leave with a read-aloud book with lesson supports and a sensory extension activity.

Speakers

Taryn Hope

Instructional Coach and Professional Development Specialist, Denton ISD

Michelle Watson

Instructional Coach and Professional Development Specialist, Denton ISD

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT
Connect B

Book Talk

12:45pm CDT

Unlocking Creativity: Real Life Reasons to Write in Pre-K LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT

Connect A

Educators will explore strategies that support student engagement in authentic writing activities across content areas and multiple centers in the Pre-K classrooms, fostering early literacy development and creativity through hands-on, meaningful experiences.

Speakers

Whitney Ruiz

PK Teacher, Crowley ISD

Whitney Ruiz is a dedicated educator with 18 years of experience in Early Childhood. Through hard work and dedication, she was selected as Crowley ISD 2024-2025 Elementary District Teacher of the Year. Passionate about fostering student engagement and growth, she is always looking... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT
Connect A

Book Talk

12:45pm CDT

Enhancing Fine Motor Development Strategies and Activities for Educators: Tips and Grip LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT

Innovate A

This interactive session highlights how purposeful play-based learning with manipulatives strengthens fine motor skills, grip, and overall development. Teachers will explore hands-on strategies to enhance engagement and learning through purposeful play.

Speakers

Tracy Sloper

Territory Manager, Learning Without Tears

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT
Innovate A

Playground

12:45pm CDT

Incorporating Play Using PBS Learning Media LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT

Innovate B

Speakers

Meagan Bolton

Family Engagement Specialist, KERA

Valeria Hernandez

Family Engagement Specialist, KERA

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT
Innovate B

Playground

12:45pm CDT

Reimagining Movement Inside and Out LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT

This session explores innovative playground and movement-based activity ideas that support children's developmental needs both indoors and outdoors. Grounded in current research on child development and embodied cognition, the session emphasizes the critical role of movement in fostering cognitive growth, emotional regulation, social skills, and physical health. We'll discuss creative uses of classroom space for active learning, strategies for inclusive and safe
outdoor play, and how movement enhances rather than interrupts academic learning.

Speakers

Athena Oden

Author and Founder, Ready Bodies, Learning Minds

Friday June 20, 2025 12:45pm - 2:00pm CDT

Playground

2:15pm CDT

Unlocking Creativity: Real Life Reasons to Write in Pre-K LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 2:15pm - 3:30pm CDT

Connect A

Speakers

Whitney Ruiz

PK Teacher, Crowley ISD

Friday June 20, 2025 2:15pm - 3:30pm CDT
Connect A

Book Talk

2:15pm CDT

Hands-On Literacy Tools LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 2:15pm - 3:30pm CDT

Innovate A

In this session, teachers will create engaging classroom materials to support early literacy. Using patterned pieces, participants will craft resources that build letters and other foundational skills in a fun, hands-on way.

Speakers

Tracy Sloper

Territory Manager, Learning Without Tears

Friday June 20, 2025 2:15pm - 3:30pm CDT
Innovate A

Make & Take

2:15pm CDT

Ready Bodies Learning Minds- Only the Grid! LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 2:15pm - 3:30pm CDT

Engage AB

Each person will create a grid that they can take to their classroom for immediate use. We will also demonstrate how to use the grids appropriately in the classroom to promote student success. Grids can be utilized for any subject matter. This is an Eye-Hand-Foot activity from the RBLM curriculum guide.

Speakers

Athena Oden

Author and Founder, Ready Bodies, Learning Minds

Friday June 20, 2025 2:15pm - 3:30pm CDT
Engage AB

Make & Take

2:15pm CDT

Building Bright Futures: The Power of Play & Planning LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 2:15pm - 3:30pm CDT

Create A

Future planning starts early! This session will explore practical strategies to help young children with disabilities and their families build strong foundations for lifelong success. Participants will learn how to foster independence at home and school, nurture self-determination and self-advocacy skills, and establish essential agency connections. We will also discuss developmentally appropriate ways to introduce early career exploration and independent living skills--all through the power of play. Join us to discover how intentional, engaging experiences can empower children to become confident, capable learners ready to navigate their futures!

Speakers

Lydia Evans

Transition Specialist, Education Service Center Region 11

Lydia Evans is passionate about preparing students with disabilities for fulfilling adult lives and believes it’s never too early to start future planning. She has served as a Transition Counselor for Texas Workforce Vocational Rehabilitation, worked as a district-level Transition... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 2:15pm - 3:30pm CDT
Create A

Playground

about Lydia Evans is passionate about preparing students with disabilities for fulfilling adult lives and believes it’s never too early to start future planning. She has served as a Transition Counselor for Texas Workforce Vocational Rehabilitation, worked as a district-level Transition Specialist, and helped create the ENGAGE program at the University of North Texas–which supports neurodivergent students navigate university life and prepare for meaningful careers.

2:15pm CDT

Play is the Plan: Early Learning That Sticks! LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 2:15pm - 3:30pm CDT

Innovate B

Speakers

Mary Eldredge

Early Childhood Librarian at Kooken Educational Center, Arlington ISD

Friday June 20, 2025 2:15pm - 3:30pm CDT
Innovate B

Playground

2:15pm CDT

Who's the Boss?: Build Relationships and Grow Skills by Letting Little Learners Lead LIMITED

Friday June 20, 2025 2:15pm - 3:30pm CDT

Create B

Speakers

Jenn Barker

Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Arlington ISD

Jennifer Barker is an Early Childhood Special Education teacher in Arlington ISD. Her passion is learning about neurodiversity-affirming practices and sharing that knowledge with others.

Friday June 20, 2025 2:15pm - 3:30pm CDT
Create B

Playground