Early Care and Education Professional Development Conference

Early Care and Education Professional Development Conference

October 11, 2025

The Family Conservancy’s annual Early Childhood Fall Symposium is Kansas City’s premier early education professional development conference.

 

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2024 Early Childhood Fall Symposium Sessions

Morning Sessions (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

Supporting Our Support Staff: Being Clear is Kind, Tabatha Rosproy

One of the most challenging parts of being a teacher in early childhood education can be understanding how to work well with other adults, especially when different staff are in and out of the room every day. Our formal education typically spends a lot of time on helping children and very little time on how to manage and work with other adults. Join Tabatha Rosproy as you learn about ways to improve your working relationship with your fellow adults and how you can support every adult and helper in your classroom. You will look at your daily schedule, environment, and practices for ways to make improvements in communication and expectations.

Insights From Inside: Using Neuroscience to Shape How You Show Up, Cindy Lamb

Emerging research in neurobiology and epigenetics shows us the impact of trauma on the brain AND how that impact manifests in children into adulthood. In this session, you will gain valuable insight into how the mind develops and what that means for a child’s ability to learn and respond. Having this knowledge and these skills will afford you more options for how to work with children and how you can better support their development and learning.

Elevating Play, Meg Fuehne

Children learn best through self-directed play, so I can just sit back and let them have fun, right? NO! Child-led play with adult support and interaction leads to richer play experiences and more brain connections formed. Join us in this session as we explore how the materials you provide, your interactions, and the activities you plan can really boost the learning happening during everyday play.

Self Care: It’s More Than Getting Your Nails Done, Ann Lachowitzer and Cathy Kneece

Why is self-care important and why are we focusing on it instead of child development, lesson planning, or supervision? Lack of self-care can produce negative emotions which, in turn, impact the children, coworkers, and families we interact with. Come and learn some simple self-care practices that can be incorporated into your daily routine. Self-care is not selfish, it is essential.

Shadows: Using Brain Science to Anchor Leadership, Nancy Heathman and Vicky Fluke

Leadership is about relationships and decision-making. Neuroscience research has provided us with tools to build and strengthen our leadership. Through our behaviors, decisions, and messages, we cast a powerful shadow that influences everyone around us: in the workplace and in the community. We will look at the 4 R.A.R.E habits great leaders learn and use in their work. We will explore the leadership abilities needed to build a strong work environment and great teams.

Hands On Literacy: Beyond the Worksheet!, Alana Schnitz and Kim Anderson

In this session, we will introduce the basic strategies and activities that promote Phonological Awareness skills in a preschool setting (ages 3-5). Educators will learn the importance of increasing oral language by using strategies to increase expressive and receptive language skills. Trainers and participants will explore activities and strategies to introduce the basic elements of print and alphabet knowledge in a large group discussion session. Participants will also discuss early writing skills in a preschool setting.

Everyday Connections: Cultivating Language for Cognitive, Social, and Literacy Development, Karen Pahls

This presentation aims to empower caregivers, educators, and anyone involved in child development with practical insight and tools to support speech and language skills in children, emphasizing the everyday nature of fostering language and its profound impact on various aspects of children’s growth and development.

Afternoon Sessions (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.)

Do You Have the Rest Time Blues, Marsha Wiard

Join us to explore taming your rest time challenges. We will consider strategies to plan a high-quality quiet time that meets the needs of the children and providers.

From Chaos to Clarity: Exploring Brain States and 5 Steps of Self Regulation, Kay Juarez

In this session, we’ll explore the fascinating world of children’s brain development and stress responses, discovering effective ways to cultivate a nurturing environment where children feel safe and supported. Equip yourself with a toolkit of classroom structures and techniques to guide children through their big emotions, creating a harmonious and empowering learning environment for all. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and transform your approach to caregiving and education!

Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner, Gayle Anderson and Kimberly Chaussee

In this session, we debunk the misconception that infant play is just idle amusement and discover how babies actively engage in meaningful activities that enhance their development in all domains. Attendees will gain a fresh perspective on the crucial role of play in brain development. This presentation aims to inspire early educators to approach caregiving and education with a deeper understanding of how play can transform and lay the groundwork for lifelong learning and well-being.

Caring from the Core, Ramiya Silvers and Jenna Bodensteiner

What is your WHY? In this training, we will guide you on a journey designed to remind teachers of the important role we have in shaping the future of our community. Through shared experiences and reflections, we will reignite the passion that drives us in our work every day as well. Together, we will explore the joy inherent in nurturing young minds and the invaluable lessons children teach us daily, reminding us of the reciprocal nature of the learning process. You will leave this training feeling empowered, and capable (even through the stress), fostering a refined connection between you and the children in your care.

Where Does YOUR Light Come From?, Nancy Heathman

As a leader, one of our most important tasks is to set the course and illuminate the way — where we are going and how we will make the path to get there. What is the passion/drive that keeps us at this work? We will look at five ways to shine as an effective leader! What are the questions we need to be asking ourselves to remind us of our passion and purpose as early childhood leaders? What guides us to be conscious leaders, lighting the way from what is and what could be for the staff and children we serve?

Working the Room: Sitting Still is Overrated, Aimee Alderman

Learn a variety of strategies to actively engage with children throughout the day to enhance their learning and your joy.

Tiny Tot Tumbling, Byra Nicodemus-Norman and Hannah Thomas

Witness the wonder of handstands, flips, and cartwheels that are more than fun and games. These moves unlock strength, coordination, balance, and flexibility, especially for our little learners. But wait, there’s more! These fun play sessions boost cognitive, social, and emotional growth!