Early Childhood Investigations

RESOURCESWatch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareEarly education program leaders around the world are increasingly enthusiastic about nature-based learning. Many leaders want to jump in wholeheartedly but find shifting the culture of their organization incredibly challenging. This webinar is a pause to say, “Imagine if…” Imagine if nature were another teacher in the classroom, if nature-based learning were core to the program’s culture, and if families were choosing your program because of its nature-rich experiences. In this session, Dr. Larimore will explore different ways to consider a nature-based approach in your teaching—from the structure of the day and the physical environment to planning and teacher-child interactions. She’ll share a wide range of possibilities for imagining—or reimagining—the ways we support young children through nature-based learning.In this action-focused webinar designed for program leaders and administrators, experienced early childhood nature-based program leader and author Dr. Rachel Larimore will share her Trail Map for Leading Change—an approach for inspiring and supporting staff as they move toward nature-based teaching. In previous ECI webinars, she focused on the big picture of the Trail Map for Change and Step 1: preparing yourself as a leader. In this webinar, she’ll focus on Step 5 of the Trail Map: reimagining teaching practices to embrace nature-based pedagogy.Come be inspired by the diverse and innovative ways early childhood programs are integrating nature-based learning into their classrooms.ObjectivesParticipants will be able to:Describe the core components of nature-based pedagogy.Identify at least two ways to reimagine daily structure to embrace nature-based pedagogy.Identify at least two ways to reimagine the physical environment to deepen nature-based learning.Describe ways to support teachers in making small shifts toward nature-based teaching.

RESOURCESWatch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwarePlay is innate, and all children have the capacity for playful selves. Yet many conventional views of play still rely on narrow developmental expectations that unintentionally exclude neurodivergent and disabled children. In this session led by Kerry Murphy (BA Hons, MSc)—author, Early Childhood Specialist, Lecturer, and Trainer—you are invited to re-explore play through a neurodiversity-affirming lens that honors the many functions and patterns of play. You will be introduced to ideas that move beyond typical play frameworks, such as stage theory, and instead explore the diverse developmental pathways children naturally follow through play. Together, we will examine common play patterns in neurodivergent children and explore why these are valid and developmentally meaningful. We will also question neuronormative assumptions about what counts as “functional” play and recognize the depth of insight available when children are supported to play in ways that feel authentic to them.Throughout the session, you will reflect on how neuronormativity and developmental norms can shape our interpretations of children’s actions. By engaging with practical examples, case studies, and reflective prompts, you will discover how to design play environments that are affirming, autonomous, accessible, and filled with joy, meaning, and knowledge creation.Learning Objectives To reimagine our definitions and understandings of play through a neurodiversity-informed and affirming lens.To explore the influence and impact of neuronormativity on children’s play.To learn about autistic play patterns as a framework for diversifying our understanding of all children’s play.To be introduced to the Diverse Pathways for Early Childhood project.

RESOURCES⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareEvery emotion, reaction, and behavior tells a story—and it begins deep within the brain and body. In this insightful and grounding session, we’ll explore the fascinating connection between the brain, the nervous system, and emotional regulation in early childhood.Children’s ability to self-regulate doesn’t develop overnight; it’s nurtured through caring relationships and co-regulation with responsive adults. In this session led by Richard Cohen, M.A., we’ll trace how thoughts and feelings travel through the body to become actions—and what that means for the moments we share with young children each day.You’ll gain a deeper understanding of:How the brain and nervous system work together to shape emotions and behavior.Why children’s “big feelings” are opportunities for connection, not correction.The difference between self-regulation and co-regulation—and the adult’s vital role in both.Practical, real-world strategies to help children (and yourself) move from dysregulation to calm.This session will leave you with both the science and the heart of emotional regulation—equipping you with compassionate, neuroscience-informed tools to support young children’s social-emotional growth and your own well-being along the way.

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareObservation is at the heart of effective early childhood practice, yet it is also an art—one that calls you to slow down, notice, and truly see the child before you. In this session, you’ll be invited to step into the role of a keen observer, sharpening your awareness and deepening your understanding of what unfolds in your learning environment each day.We’ll begin by exploring the foundations of observation through the lens of Montessori pedagogy and philosophy, grounding you in the why behind this essential practice. You’ll learn how observation is defined in a Montessori context and consider its unique role as both a scientific and spiritual act—insights that can strengthen your practice in any early childhood setting. From there, we’ll move into the how—practical strategies for watching with intention, waiting with patience, and wondering with curiosity.You’ll discover the many types of observation available and reflect on what can be observed: children’s choices, behaviors, interactions, developmental milestones, and the prepared environment itself. As you uncover these layers, you’ll begin to see how observation can transform not only your teaching but also your relationships with the children in your care.Finally, we’ll explore what comes next—how to use your observations to guide practice, inform decision-making, and better meet the needs of each individual child. Along the way, you’ll be reminded of the profound benefits that emerge when you watch closely, wait thoughtfully, and wonder deeply.Whether you’re new to early childhood education or a seasoned professional, this session will inspire you to refine your most valuable tool: the art of observation. You’ll walk away ready to see your children with fresh eyes and renewed understanding.Learning ObjectivesBy the end of this session, participants will be able to:Explore the foundations of observation within Montessori pedagogy and its relevance to all early childhood settings.Develop practical strategies to observe with intention, patience, and curiosity.Identify key aspects of children’s development, behavior, and environment that can be observed, along with different methods of observation.Apply observations to guide practice, support teaching and learning, and strengthen relationships with children.

RESOURCES⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareWith big reactors, “gentle parenting” often doesn’t work. These children tend to reject calming tools. As one six-year-old put it, “I remember the tools before; I remember them after; I just don’t remember them in the middle.” They often find it intrusive and overwhelming when parents validate and talk about their emotions. This can lead to outbursts like, “Stop talking to me! Stop telling me that! I’m not sad!” When their brains and bodies are flooded with big emotions, the more parents, teachers, and caregivers try to convince them to cooperate, the less likely they are to do so.This workshop—based on Claire Lerner, LICSW’s new book, Big Reactors: Practical Strategies for Parenting Highly Sensitive Children—will present key insights and tools to help anyone supporting a young child’s development. You’ll learn how to thread the needle of being connected, sensitive, and responsive while also setting the firm limits big reactors need to develop self-regulation and thrive.If you care for a child(en) who goes from 0 to 100 in a nanosecond when things don’t go their way; who seems laser-focused on being in power and control; who can’t tolerate correction and blames others for everything; and with whom few, if any, conventional cooperation strategies work—this webinar is for you.Drawing from decades of work with these complex and often confusing children, Claire will share detailed case examples and reveal the “detective work” process she uses to help parents, teachers, and caregivers uncover the root causes of challenging behaviors and develop sensitive, effective, real-life strategies that work—not just in theory.Participants will learn to:Identify the key traits of highly sensitive children (big reactors)Understand the root causes behind many of their challenging behaviorsApply effective strategies to help big reactors manage big emotionsRESOURCESWatch the full webinar hereCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

RESOURCES⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠ Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareEarly childhood leadership shouldn’t require self-sacrifice. In this energizing and interactive session, we’ll move beyond surface-level self-care tips and dive into what it truly takes to lead thriving teaching teams. Using the H.E.A.R.T.™ framework (Healing Environments for Aligned and Regulated Teams) and the ECE Wellbeing Survey, participants will explore the science of stress, embodied leadership practices, and community care strategies that promote long-term well-being—for both staff and students.Join the Founder of Rooted: A Wellness Collective, Monica Rollins for hands-on activities, developing small-group connections, and practical shifts you can implement right away.What you’ll learn:Examine the limitations of traditional self-care and discover strategies for cultivating aligned, collective care within early childhood teams.Practice embodied leadership techniques, including recognizing nervous system cues, resetting stress responses, and leveraging co-regulation to support staff and students.Take aligned action by creating one to two goals that enhance team well-being and foster sustainable leadership practices.

RESOURCES⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareYou’ve invested in training. You’ve implemented behavior frameworks. You’ve supported individual classrooms—yet certain patterns persist: chronic dysregulation, staff burnout, uneven implementation, and behavior challenges that resurface no matter how many strategies are introduced.In this session, you are invited to step back from the classroom lens and examine what is often overlooked: the adult system itself.This presentation reframes behavior support as a leadership and organizational issue—not a child-level problem to be solved in isolation. You’ll explore how adult regulation, leadership alignment, emotional intelligence, and program structures either strengthen or erode a child’s capacity to self-regulate and engage. Rather than focusing on compliance or quick fixes, this session centers on building sustainable adult capacity—the conditions that allow regulation, consistency, and relational safety to take root across teams. Designed for directors, administrators, coaches, and teacher-leaders, this webinar invites you to reflect on your role as a culture builder and systems shaper. You’ll examine how leadership practices, communication patterns, and operational decisions directly influence classroom climate and behavior-support outcomes. Through practical frameworks and real-world examples, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to shift from managing behavior to strengthening the systems that support both children and educators.Led by Rachel Supalla, M.Ed., this session is ideal for leaders ready to move beyond tactics and toward long-term, scalable change—where regulation is embedded, adult capacity is prioritized, and behavior support becomes a shared responsibility across the organization.Learning ObjectivesBy the end of this session, you will be able to:Analyze persistent behavior challenges through a leadership and systems-level lensIdentify how adult regulation and organizational culture impact child behavior and classroom climateExamine leadership practices that either support or undermine regulation across teamsApply capacity-building principles that promote sustainable behavior support in early childhood settingsRESOURCESWatch the full webinar hereCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

RESOURCES⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareToo many child care programs lose money not because of a lack of demand, but because owners and directors aren’t aligned. When leadership teams lack a shared vision, the result can be under-enrollment, inconsistent practices, and financial strain.In this insightful session, child care program growth experts Kate Woodward Young and Carrie Casey will share proven strategies to bridge the gap between owners and directors so programs can thrive. You’ll learn how to foster alignment that empowers directors to manage profitably, enables owners to lead effectively, and allows entire teams to work toward sustainable success.Together, we’ll explore three key strategies every program needs to:Increase enrollment by building systems that keep classrooms full and families engaged.Strengthen leadership by ensuring owners and directors work in sync rather than in silos.Boost financial sustainability by putting more money back into your program without sacrificing quality. Whether you attend as an owner, a director, or as a leadership pair, you’ll leave with practical tools you can immediately apply to strengthen your program’s operations and bottom line. As a special bonus, you’ll also be invited to an upcoming three-hour masterclass designed to help you launch your summer programming profitably and set your team up for success all year long.

RESOURCES⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareBabies are natural engineers—and Loose Parts are their tools for exploration! This engaging session explores how Loose Parts play supports infant development, encourages sensory exploration, and fosters early cognitive and motor skills. Join Infant Mental Health & Early Years Specialist, Sophie Rayner-Grignon to discover how to become an active, responsive partner in play with infants. You’ll dive into the curious minds of babies, unpack common barriers, and reframe your approach to infant play through a developmental and trauma-informed lens. Leave with practical ideas, real-world examples, and a curated collection of next-step resources to help educators, infants, and their communities engage meaningfully with Loose Parts. By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Describe the benefits of Loose Parts play for infant learning, development, and sensory exploration. Identify strategies for becoming an active and responsive partner in infant play using Loose Parts. Recognize and address common barriers to implementing Loose Parts play in early childhood settings. Apply practical strategies and setup ideas for safe, developmentally appropriate Loose Parts experiences. Reflect on personal beliefs and practices around infant play, and plan actionable next steps to integrate Loose Parts into daily routines.

RESOURCES⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software⁠Coaching is one of the most powerful tools we have to support adult growth in early childhood education—but meaningful change is rarely easy. Resistance isn’t a sign that people don’t care; more often, it’s a natural response to uncertainty, vulnerability, or past experiences. As coaches, leaders, and mentors, how we approach these moments can make all the difference.In this insightful and compassionate session, Susan Lewis, M.Ed., Founder and CEO of Early Childhood Education Professional Development (ECEPD), offers a fresh, reflective lens on resistance in coaching. Drawing from more than two decades of experience across classrooms, programs, and state systems, Susan will guide you in understanding what resistance really is—and how to work with it instead of against it.You’ll explore practical ways to connect with adult learners, respond with empathy, and support sustainable growth—even when change feels slow or uncomfortable. Whether you're a coach, administrator, or peer mentor, this session will deepen your coaching skills and help you foster more trusting, collaborative relationships that move your program forward.In this session, you will:Describe the underlying causes of resistance during coaching or organizational change.Apply adult learning principles to enhance engagement and build rapport.Use reflective questioning and empathy-driven tools to reduce defensiveness and foster trust.Design flexible coaching plans that are responsive to where people are in their growth journey.

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here ⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Are you considering starting an early childhood business? Let's learn how to take your small business from the idea phase to launch. In this session presented by business consultant, website designer, and trainer, Chelsea Denny from Early Childhood Creative, you’ll learn the steps required to set up your for-profit business and make it official. Topics covered include business entities, insurance, financials, marketing, and more. You'll leave this session with a better understanding of what is required to form your for-profit business legally and how to protect yourself from liability. You'll also understand what is considered best practice in operating a new business and what the most common mistakes are. The content covered will be most applicable to for-profit, service-based businesses operating in the United States, including childcare, private schools, coaches, consultants, and trainers. If operating outside of the United States, there may be different names and terminology, but the general information will still apply. If operating a non-profit, the general best practices will still apply. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Participants will be able to outline the process required to start a legal business in the United States. 2. Participants will be able to discuss common terminology related to starting a business. 3. Participants will be able to identify three components to consider when developing a business plan. 4. Participants will be able to name and describe the legal structures of for-profit businesses and how they generally relate to taxes, liability, and strategic planning. All content shared is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.

RESOURCES⁠Watch the full webinar session here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out Playground the Child Care Management Software Working in early care and education requires you to show up every day with your whole heart, and sometimes, that heart can feel stretched thin. This session is an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the deep purpose behind your work. Join author and educational consultant Christina Fecio in this session inspired by her latest book, Small Things, Great Love, where you'll explore simple, heartfelt practices that transform everyday moments into something meaningful. You don't need more time or a longer to-do list—just a gentle reminder to reclaim simplicity and joy. Done with great love, these small things are the key to nurturing children's well-being while also protecting your own. Together we'll rediscover the power of presence, the impact of noticing, and the importance of small gestures that build trust and connection. You'll also learn how to offer that same care to yourself through intentional language and mindset. This is intended to be joyful work—and joy is something we can choose, protect, and practice. Come as you are and leave with fresh energy, practical ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose in the work only you can do. What you'll take from this session:Identify simple, everyday practices that support children's sense of safety, connection, and belonging. Participants will explore how small, intentional actions care create meaningful moments that nurture child well-being.Describe strategies for protecting and replenishing your own sense of joy and purpose in early care and education work. Participants will learn how to apply affirming language and self-reflective tools that promote personal resilience and wellbeing.Recognize the importance of presence, noticing, and relational gestures as leadership and teaching tools. Participants will deepen their understanding of how small acts—done with great love—can build trust, strengthen relationships, and uplift your team or classroom culture.