Early Childhood Education Conference

 Chris Peterson

 The Parenting Professor
 Friday, April 25 at 9:00 am in the Great Hall   

Chris Peterson, an educator and two-time graduate of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, has worked with diverse students and educators across the country, from teaching in Portland, Oregon, to leading workshops on classroom management, anti-bullying, and refusal skills. Recently, he stepped away from teaching in Holmen, WI, to pursue an administrative license and spend more time with his family. A certified facilitator for "Becoming a Love and Logic Parent," Chris shares his expertise at conferences and school districts, living by his motto: "Health isn't everything, but everything is nothing without it."

For his keynote, Chris will discuss how strong connections between kids and their guardians can provide a foundation of safety, trust, and encouragement. By fostering open communication, mutual respect, and consistent support, these relationships can inspire hope, helping children navigate challenges and grow into confident, resilient individuals

Samantha Moe

Certified Parent Coach
Saturday, April 26 at 9:00 am in the Great Hall

Certified parent coach and international keynote speaker Samantha Moe has coached parents on how to help their children calm, connect, and cooperate since 2004. She now provides continuing education, advanced training, and parent coach certification for family service professionals who support intense kids and their families, including Fraser and the MN Association for Children’s Mental Health. Samantha is the creator of the Mad to Glad Blueprint, a revolutionary brain-and-nervous-system-based approach to positive communication and parenting that soothes and even prevents intense kids’ most challenging behaviors. She holds a master’s degree in communication Disorders from the University of Minnesota and has interdisciplinary training in sensory integration, play therapy, and emotional integration. Find out more at: www.samanthamoe.com.

In her keynote Samantha will address Working with young children who have big emotions and challenging behaviors can feel overwhelming. You may find yourself managing outbursts, calming tears, and trying to create a peaceful classroom—all while meeting the needs of other children. If you’re looking for simple tools to make this easier, this keynote is for you!

Rooted in the Mad to Glad Blueprint™, you’ll learn why big feelings and behaviors happen by exploring the brain-based root causes. Discover easy-to-use strategies to help children calm their emotions and build self-control. These practical tools will reduce challenging behaviors and strengthen your connection with your students. You’ll leave feeling confident and ready to create a calm and supportive space where children can grow and thrive.

Attendee Hotel Accommodations: 

Hampton Inn & Suites Menomonie 

We have a room block set here for your convenience. 

2017 Stout Street
Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751
Learn More

• Rate: $110 per night + 8% sales and occupancy tax
• Distance to UW-Stout: 8 min. drive
• Parking: Free onsite parking at the hotel for the duration of your stay

Call (715) 231-3030 and mention "UW-Stout ECE Conference" to secure this rate when booking. 

To book this rate online click below. 

Book your room! 

Cobblestone Inn & Suites Menomonie

We have a room block set here for your convenience. 

149 Main Street E.
Menomonie, WI 54751
Learn More 

• Rate: $159 per night + 8% sales and occupancy tax
• Distance to UW-Stout: 2 min. walk
• Parking: Free onsite parking at the hotel for the duration of your stay

Call (715)-233-0211  to book your room, mentioning the ECE conference. 

Best Western Plus Inn & Suites Menomonie

We do not have a room block set here. 

320 Oak Avenue
Menomonie, WI 54751
Learn More

• Rate: $96 - $135 per night + 8% sales and occupancy tax (price variability depending on weekday vs. weekend)
• Distance to UW-Stout: 6 min. drive
• Parking: Free onsite parking at the hotel for the duration of your stay

Call (715) 235-5664  to book your room.

How Young is too Young? Social Justice in Early Childhood

Randi Albertson. Early Childhood Education Specialist

Innovations in Education, LLC

This workshop will explore racial identity development and how to support all children in building positive, inclusive world views. We will share hands-on materials available for children and resources available for the adults who care for them. Join us to learn strategies to help ease the way for hard conversations and sensitive topics that help build bridges and community for our youngest learners.

Culturally Responsive Practices in the Early Childhood Classroom

Amina Grant. Teacher, Child Development Laboratory School

How a teacher can build relationships by facilitating cultural relevant learning in the classroom. When teaching and learning in the classroom validate a student’s identity and experiences, it fosters a positive regard for both their own racial identity and that of their peers.

Managing the Acting Out Cycle

Grant Allen. Teacher, Assistant Professor, Special Education / Autism Certificate Advisor

Managing the most intense externalizing behaviors (e.g., aggression, tantrums) is an important consideration for all educators, including early childhood educators. This presentation will focus on explaining the Acting Out Cycle, which is a framework educators can use to respond to a student's escalating behaviors at specific stages of the cycle. The presentation will cover considerations for preventing challenging behavior, what educators can do at each stage of the Acting Out Cycle, and considerations for building an individualized de-escalation plan. Participants will also have the opportunity to access professional learning modules on the Acting Out Cycle.

Using AI in your Early Childhood Classroom

Dr. Lindsay Barnhart. Instructor / Program Director

Early Childhood educators wear many hats, having responsibilities beyond teaching children during the day. Learn how AI can support you in a variety of ways, saving you time. During this session you will be provided a short overview of what AI is and then dive into examples and time exploring in different AI tools. A computer or tablet would be an asset so you can work alongside the presenter.

Stress and Resilience: Strengthening Well-Being for Early Childhood Professionals

Anna Barthen, Inclusion Content Specialist

Nicole Cusimano, Social and Emotional Content Specialist

This course provides early childhood educators with strategies to identify stressors and explore ways to build resilience in both their personal and professional lives. Participants will reflect on techniques to enhance their emotional well-being and consider practical approaches to achieving balance and maintaining a positive outlook in their work. The training aims to support educators in navigating challenges more easily and promoting a healthier, more resilient mindset.

You CAN Write That Children's Book!

Heidi Braun. Author

Beverly Cleary said, "If you don't see the book you want on the shelves, write it." Learn the basics of writing a children's book from the first words to promoting your published book, and everything in between.

Creating an Arts Integrated Lesson

Nicole Cook, Arts Integration Coordinator

Kylene Lichucki, Math Integration

Arts Integration Fruit Plate or Smoothie? Creating the Fully Integrated Lesson Walk step by step through the process of creating a fully art and standards based lesson for the classroom.

Circle Time: Creating Calm in the Chaos

Jennie Costello, Childcare Provider/Preschool Teacher/Owner of Little Hearts, Big Smarts Curriculum

Is your circle time like trying to catch oily pigs running out of a pig pen? Are the kids looking at everyone but you, talking over instructions, bugging their friends, and getting up to pick loose Cheerios off the floor? Do you struggle to dream up fun, engaging activities that will not only keep the kids’ attention but teach them new skills daily? If this sounds like your classroom, look no further! This course was created just for you! “Circle Time: Creating Calm in the Chaos” will be similar in content to my previous class called “Breathing New Life into Circle Time”; overviewing the original material, but as requested by my previous attendees, I have included fun, engaging science, math, nature, large motor, language activities, and so much more. These activities are simple to implement into quick, easy lessons to keep the kids excited, learning, and interested! My goal is for you to walk away from my class inspired and ready for Monday, to have ideas at your fingertips, and with a new perspective to make your future circle times as calm and sweet as an—oily pig-less—summer breeze!

The Power of Positivity and Art of Time Management

Jennie Costello, Childcare Provider/Preschool Teacher/Owner of Little Hearts, Big Smarts Curriculum

Do you struggle with self-defeating thoughts? Do you sometimes dread the day ahead due to feeling behind? Do you have a difficult child you are trying to help and you wake up anxious, wondering how your day will be? Is the day over before you even had the chance to do that one thing you wanted to do? These are just a few of the million things you pull around like a ball and chain. We all have been there, feeling discouraged, disheartened, and defeated. I would love to help you! I am a mom of 8 kids, have run a home daycare/preschool for 34 years serving countless children, own a curriculum business, am an avid runner, and am a regular volunteer in my community. Over the years (and through much trial and error), I have learned how to remain positive in times of difficulty and how to better manage the 24 hours in my day, and I would love to teach you, too! By the end of my class, my goal is that you come away feeling inspired, with a spring in your step, and a full heart ready to take a tiny step each day towards finding the silver lining, even in the hard stuff. You will also gain tools to help make better use of your time, which will not only benefit you but the children you are teaching. Let’s learn so that we may teach by example!

Budgeting at its Best: When Your Heart and Head Meet Head-On

Jamie Culbert, WEESSN Finance Specialist

Holly Hale, WEESSN Business Coach

Budgeting is both a science and an art. Come and investigate some of the technical aspects of budgets, like computing your cost-per-child, while also exploring how your budget is a document of your program’s values.  By having a balanced view of your budget and its purpose, you’ll be ready to implement financial decisions from a meaningful foundation.

Using Your Program's Protective Gear: Policies, Contracts, and Risk Management

Jamie Culbert, WEESSN Finance Specialist

Child care programs can be put in difficult situations if they don’t have some of the proper tools in place to proactively attend to those situations before they become problems. Join us for this interactive session where we will examine important questions including What makes a contract legally binding? How does being a Mandatory Reporter reduce my risk for doing business? and why do handbooks need to have policies and procedures? Learn more about risk management and the tools you have at hand to protect your program!

Understanding Behavior in Early Childhood: Developmental Insights and Practical Applications

Debbie Davis, Early Childhood Educator

Patti Dykstra, Early Childhood Educator

Child care programs can be put in difficult situations if they don’t have some of the proper tools in place to proactively attend to those situations before they become problems. Join us for this interactive session where we will examine important questions including What makes a contract legally binding? How does being a Mandatory Reporter reduce my risk for doing business? and why do handbooks need to have policies and procedures? Learn more about risk management and the tools you have at hand to protect your program!

Connect: Self-Love

Michelle Endvick, Owner, Childcare Provider

Take time for YOU! Time to slow down and connect to your body through breath and movement. Time to consider and connect to your values and growth. Time to ponder and connect to your future dreams and how to make them happen. Time to explore and connect it all to your business or work life. In this reflective training, you will take time to fill your cup with self-love.

Hands-on Learning and Everyday Adventures

Michelle Espelien, Preschool Director

Children need to be able to touch, smell, hear, and experience every activity in their world. This class will show many activities for children ages 2-5 years old in all the areas of development in an early childhood classroom. Activities in art, math, science, and cooking, children’s books, and social-emotional development will be presented and shared. New ideas are always welcome as we all learn so much from each other. 

UW-Stout Child and Family Study Center Lab Tours

Allison Feller,  Director of the UW-Stout Child & Family Studies Center

Tour the Infant/Toddler and Child and Family Study Centers (Preschool) labs at UW-Stout. There will be a short informational session and the rooms will be open so you can explore and take pictures. The head teachers will be available to answer any questions. (Infants to Four-year-olds)

Address on UW-Stout Campus: 811 6th Street East.

 Ditch the Worksheet! Turning Worksheets into Play-Based Learning Experiences for Young Children

Dawnita Gallo, Assistant Professor

The NAEYC publication, Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Early Childhood Programs, Fourth Edition, identifies nine Principles of Child Development and Learning and Implications that Inform Practice to guide the work of early childhood education professionals. The third principle states, “Play promotes joyful learning that fosters self-regulation, language, cognitive, and social competencies as well as content knowledge across disciplines. Play is essential for all children, birth through age 8.” During this workshop, participants will discuss and brainstorm ways to turn a worksheet into a play-based learning experience. 

Ditch the Worksheet! Turning Worksheets into Play-Based Learning Experiences for Young Children

Dawnita Gallo, Assistant Professor

Ann Sandeen

The NAEYC publication, Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Early Childhood Programs, Fourth Edition, identifies nine Principles of Child Development and Learning and Implications that Inform Practice to guide the work of early childhood education professionals. The third principle states, “Play promotes joyful learning that fosters self-regulation, language, cognitive, and social competencies as well as content knowledge across disciplines. Play is essential for all children, birth through age 8.” During this workshop, participants will discuss and brainstorm ways to turn a worksheet into a play-based learning experience. 

Teaching Through Transitions: How to use engagement cues and hook techniques to effectively help Toddlers and Preschoolers transition from one activity to another

Dawnita Gallo, Assistant Professor

Gail Maahs, University Supervisor

 The presenters will model methods and strategies to capture young children’s attention and focus during transitions, using signals/prompts to guide them from one activity to another. Furthermore the presenters will share individualized transition strategies for better behavior management. Tailoring these transition techniques to suit the learning needs of the diverse children in today’s classroom. leading to a more conducive learning environment for all. Hands-on examples, demonstrations, and interactive learning strategies of specific engagement cues, transition strategies, and hook techniques that participants can easily implement in their own EC classroom. The use of these strategies and techniques will contribute to smoother transitions and also to the overall growth and development of young learners. Hands-on examples of materials and demonstrations of specific engagement cues, transition strategies, and hook techniques will allow participants to easily implement them in early childhood settings. Interactive exercises using scenarios and personas will allow participants to practice and understand the direct application of these various strategies and techniques.

Childhood Sexual Abuse PREVENTION 

Janet Govin, Early Childhood Professional

Rhondalyn Whitman, Retired Elementary School Teacher

An introduction to Darkness to Light focuses on the research-based, nonprofit educational program, which seeks to reduce the incidents of child sexual abuse by protecting children and shifting the responsibility from children to adults. Through online training, their program emphasizes awareness, education, and stigma reduction. Darkness to Light empowers adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.  Attend this session to learn more about Inservice learning opportunities (currently used in 115 countries). Darkness to Light training is highly recommended for all adults wanting to protect children from child sexual abuse.

Transition Songs, Moving Your Day Along

Colleen Hannifan, Early Childhood Music

Transitions between activities can provide a positive classroom balance and can be a learning experience itself. This presentation will feature a activities using songs and chants for those times a day that you move your children from one activity to the next. From outdoor play to hand washing, snack time, circle time, and so on. Come sing and move along, while improving language skills and vocabulary, develop better self-esteem and discipline, while creating a calm, orderly environment.

Circle of Friends: Songs and Movement Activities

Colleen Hannifan, Early Childhood Music

Let’s “Ring-around-the Rosie” with our “Circle Of Friends”. Music and movement songs presented in a circle setting, adaptable for individual, partner and group spaces. Materials presented include: Simple math (geometric shapes, number recognition, addition)letter recognition. Traditional songs, original songs, world songs and dances. * Multi-age

Mind in the Making - Promoting Life Skills in Young Children

Amelia Gruber, Early Childhood Specialist

Mind in the Making shows what professionals, parents and caregivers can do to strengthen the critical executive function skills in children. They aren’t the kinds of skills that children just pick up; these skills can be fostered to help children and the adults in their lives. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the science behind brain development and the importance of fostering relationships, with a focus on Executive Functions and how to promote them in early childhood. Participants will receive key points from the Mind in the Making training, and offered an opportunity to register for the full training.

Book Talking the Best: Early Childhood Literature

Jenny Hill, Associate Professor

Deborah Wheeler, Associate Professor

St. Cloud State University

Are you interested in discovering what the 2024 award-winning books are about before diving into them? Do you want to enhance your collection with award-winning titles while spending your money wisely? Do you enjoy discussing books and sharing your ideas? If so, this session is for you! Join us as we explore the award winners and notable mentions of 2024, including prestigious awards such as the Newbery, Caldecott, Theodore Seuss Geisel, Sibert, Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe, Odyssey, Pura Belpré, Sydney Taylor Asian/Pacific American, Printz, YALSA Non-Fiction, Edwards Award, Stonewall, Maud Hart Lovelace, and Star of the North. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their favorite award-winning books from 2024 and beyond. We’ll place special emphasis on resources for the early childhood audience and discuss how to incorporate these books into the classroom with fellow attendees. 

The Power of Play

TaylorMae Ippolito , Early Childhood Specialist

University of Minnesota Child Development Laboratory School

Erin Gorski, Teacher

Play is an integral part of day-to-day life, the source of so many people's joy. Play is a learning tool for children that leads and guides young people through a better understanding of the world around them. Children use play to develop their knowledge of their world, as children play through experiences they have day to day. Children may also use play to build their understanding of topics of interest, such as dreams and interests they may already have in life. Not only does play develop children's understanding of the world around them, but this model of learning allows children to better understand new topics more efficiently. We send children a powerful message when we join them on their level and engage in play they are interested in. When we plan to play around topics of interest for the child we say, you matter, what you care about is important to me. Not only can play be used as a teaching tool, it empowers the development of strong relationships and fosters a positive bond between friends or caregivers and children. In this discussion, we will consider how we can make play more meaningful and what we as caregivers can do to foster learning and relationship-building when playing with children. We will consider how we as educators can shift our intentionality to make learning experiences through play a part of our day-to-day lives. Finally, we will consider the impact that play-based learning has on children and caregivers, and reflect on how we can shift our behaviors to best support our children. 

Math Intervention and Game Play

Victoria Johansen , Early Math Interventionist

River Heights Elementary, School District of the Menomonie Area

This session will provide an overview of my journey from hating math to loving it, and from being a classroom teacher to becoming a math interventionist. We will also explore various games that can help students learn and enjoy math!

Behavior Interventions in the Classroom

Maggie Keenan, 4K/Early Childhood Educator

Allison Feller, Director, UW-Stout Child & Family Studies Center

University of Wisconsin-Stout Child & Family Study Center

Join us for an insightful session that explores behavior interventions in a preschool setting. Learn and discuss how teacher’s responses to behaviors can play a crucial role in fostering a positive learning environment. This session will explore a range of strategies and techniques, including check-in, check-out programs, reward systems, parent communication, natural consequences, limit setting, and emotional regulation, all designed to cultivate executive functioning skills in young learners.

Social Emotional Development During Infancy and Toddlerhood

Julie Koritz, Early Childhood Speaker/Trainer

Independent Consultant

This class will examine some of the different stages of social and emotional development during infancy and toddlerhood. Some of the topics that will be covered are: trust vs. mistrust, autonomy and independence vs. shame and doubt, communication with the baby, serve and return, smiling, stranger anxiety, social referencing, attachment and peer relations. The class will also cover various ways to enhance infants and toddler’s social emotional development through a variety of activities including books and songs.

Baby Love: Finding Joy in the Infant Classroom

Kristen Korkowski, Infant Teacher

University of Wisconsin - Stout

Managing an infant classroom can be overwhelming! The constant overstimulation can start to wear you down if you don't have the supports you need to keep you afloat. Through empathy, co-regulation, and connection, we can help ourselves and others discover (or re-discover!) the joys of working with babies.

Supporting Young Children’s Emotional Regulation Through Responsive Interactions

Val Krage, Assistant Professor

University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse

Social and emotional learning is a foundational component of the early childhood environment. Just like children learn cognitive skills, they must learn the skills of getting along, empathizing with others, and identifying and regulating strong emotions. Every interaction between caregiver and child provides an opportunity to learn these skills in a respectful and relationship-building manner. In this session, we will explore the connection between teacher–child relationships and learning, examine the role of the brain in a child's emotional regulation, identify strategies for supporting children in handling their emotions in a way that is respectful and beneficial to the child and that also promotes adult–child relationships, and examine the role of the teacher/caregiver as a stress regulator for the dysregulated child. Participants will leave this workshop with practical strategies to use in their own settings.

Amping Up Dramatic Play!

Becky Lee, ECE Educator

Jessica Jennings, ECE Educator

University of Wisconsin - Stout Child & Family Care Study Center

Need new, fun, and exciting ways to spice up the dramatic play areas in your classroom? Look no further! Come join us to hear about some of the dramatic play setups we use in our toddler and preschool classrooms throughout the year. We'll also share some unique and creative ways to add to your lessons to help engage different age groups. We hope to see you there!

Foundations of Assessments in Early Childhood

Adam Moskowitz,Owner and CEO

Moskowitz Training Center, LLC

This course is designed to provide educators with the foundational knowledge of assessment. Course topics covered are the purpose of assessment, identifying various types of assessment, choosing tools for assessment, and analyzing the assessment cycle into own practices. The goal is to know how to use data to drive instructional decisions. Aligned to D.A.P

Connection vs. Control - Reflecting on Power Dynamics in the Classroom

Elena Mueller, Lead Three-Year-Old Early Childhood Educator

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

As early childhood educators, we experience a variety of power dynamics when working with young children, both disempowering and empowering. We may feel overwhelmed when a child is expressing bigger emotions choosing unsafe things. In the same breath, we may feel empowered when a child accomplishes a skill that have been supporting them through. With both the negative and positive power dynamics, one thing stays consistent, and that is how we respond to our students’ needs, conflicts, and heightened emotions. This presentation is an invitation to reflect and shift our perspective on how we address power dynamics in the classroom.

Click Beetle Books

Heidi Braun

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Discovery Toys

Christina Thompson

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EDVANTAGE

Stefanie Hacker

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Honey Do Products

Kevin Rahn

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Jennie's Lil Angels/Little Hearts Big Smarts

Jennie Costello

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Katie & Company

Julie Torkelson

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Learning4Life

Michelle Endvick

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Market Haiti

Pam Thompson

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North Side Music

Colleen Hannifan

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PaperPie Learning

Liz Hawkinson

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Serendipity Creations MN

Lynn Stone

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Silkey Pets

Shelley Silkey

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Tammy Jo's Shed

Tammy Erl

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Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA)

Jen Dittrich

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Wisconsin Registry

Ashley Salzwedel

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Western Dairyland - Child Care Partnership

Amelia Gruber

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University of Wisconsin Stout - Online

Amy Gullixson

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