Teacher Coach Annette Tille during her presentation

The Ohio Early Childhood Conference, a professional development event organized by the Ohio Association for the Eeucation of Young Children (OAEYC), held over the weekend at the Kalahari Resort, brought together approximately 2,300 educators, caregivers, and early childhood advocates for a weekend of inspiration and learning. Attendees from the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) included nine teachers from its Child Development centers, six GLCAP teacher coaches, and Quality Teaching Specialist Jennifer Lee.

Attendees gather for the conference held in Sandusky at the Kalahari Resort

The conference featured renowned keynote speakers, including Dr. Becky Bailey, founder of Conscious Discipline, who shared insights on social-emotional learning, and Gerry Brooks, a TikTok educational speaker known for his humorous and relatable take on teaching challenges.

GLCAP Teacher Coach Annette Tille and Malori McCloskey, representative from the Child Care Resource Center (CCRC), co-presented a session titled, "Whispers of Wonder: How Play Ignites the Soul," which focused on the transformative power of play. Their session, attended by nearly 100 participants, emphasized the importance of play in building healthy relationships and well-being. Participants learned practical ways to incorporate playful activities into daily routines to foster deeper connections, reduce stress, and boost creativity.

In another session, "Back to the Basics: What Really Matters," McCloskey and GLCAP Quality Teaching Specialist Jennifer Lee explored the Trust for Learning's Ideal Learning Principles. With close to 100 attendees, the presentation highlighted the importance of nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in children. The session explored nine principles essential for extending children's learning experiences through a play-based education approach. Dynamic discussions offered innovative strategies for educators to implement these principles effectively in their classrooms.

The Ohio Early Childhood Conference allowed educators to connect, share best practices, and gain new insights into early childhood education. For more information about our Head Start programs, visit www.glcap.org/earlychildhood.