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2026 Bridging Pre-K and Kindergarten Practices Symposium: Deepening Practice, Partnership, and Play Across the Pre-K to Kindergarten Continuum

Description

Join early childhood educators, kindergarten teachers, support staff, and administrators from across Connecticut for a full day of collaboration, practical learning, and shared leadership.

This year's symposium builds on the foundation of developmentally appropriate, play-based teaching—and takes it further. Together, we’ll deepen our understanding of how to align practice, pedagogy, and partnerships to support every child’s smooth and joyful transition from Pre-K to Kindergarten.

By the end of the symposium, participants will be able to:

Apply developmentally appropriate strategies to deepen continuity of learning across Pre-K and Kindergarten.
Design play-based environments and routines that support executive function and aligned academic goals.
Use authentic, observation-based assessment practices to document learning through play.
Collaborate with colleagues to build stronger partnerships across roles and grade levels.

Whether you're just beginning to explore Pre-K to K alignment or deepening work already underway, this symposium offers inspiration, connection, and tools to take your next step.

Session Type
Single Session

Year Code
2025-2026

Code
241-26-913-150

Activity Type
Face to Face

Status
OPEN

Maximum Attendance
155

Max # of Awards
6.5

Min # of Awards
0

Subject Area
[Early Childhood Education]

Target Audience
[Early Childhood Director], [Early Childhood Educator], [Early Childhood Program Manager]

Area of Focus
No Associated Area of Focus

Topic/Subject:
913 CREC Resource Group

Award
HOUR

Objectives

Additional Notes

Keynote: Building the Base of a Child’s Educational Ladder

Dr. Peg Oliveria, Director, Gesell Program in Early Childhood, Yale Child Study Center

In 1924, in the inaugural issue of Childhood Education, Dr. Arnold Gesell wrote, “The educational ladder of the American public school system is a tall one and a stout one, but it does not reach the ground.” A century later, preschool and kindergarten provide those missing rungs, yet they often fail to truly reach the ground, to meet children where they are. Preschool and Kindergarten are the on-ramps to a child’s experience of school as a place of wonder or a source of stress. They set the roots of a child’s self-perception as a curious learner or a struggling student. While pressure to be “ready for school” and concerns for the “covid cohort” are real, the race to “catch up” can do more harm than good. How can we stop hurrying and instead give children the time they need for a joyful school transition?

Address
Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell
4 Sebethe Drive
Cromwell, Connecticut 06416

Payment Price	Payment price
Individuals	$125.00

Schedule(s)

Date	Start Time	End Time	Session	Instructor
Date -- 03/05/2026
03/05/2026	8:00AM	9:45AM	Registration/Check in/Coffee and Welcome and Keynote NOTE: All Participants must register for this session. Registration/Check-in/Coffee: 8:00-8:45. Welcome and Keynote: 8:45-9:45. Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell Cromwell/Sebethe Rooms 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, CT	JEAN D BARRESI View Bio
03/05/2026	10:00AM	11:45AM	Assessment Without Sacrificing Play - AM Session Assessment in early childhood should reflect how young children learn—through play, exploration, and relationships. This session takes a deep dive into authentic, observation-based assessment practices that honor play as a context for learning. Participants will explore tools and strategies for capturing meaningful observations, documenting learning, and planning next steps—without interrupting the flow of play. The session will support educators in using data to inform instruction while maintaining joyful, child-centered learning environments. Participants will also examine real documentation samples and practice writing observation notes that are objective, specific, and usable for curriculum planning and family communication. Outcomes: By the end of the session, participants will: Describe the principles of observation-based and formative assessment in play-based environments. Analyze documentation samples to determine alignment with learning goals and standards. Examine sample documentation panels that reflect child learning through play. Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell Portland 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, CT	SARA E CASTLE View Bio
03/05/2026	10:00AM	11:45AM	Continuity of Curriculum and Pedagogy - AM Session What does true alignment between Pre-K and Kindergarten look like—and how can we achieve it without resorting to pushing academic content down to younger children? This session will explore how the CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS) and Kindergarten standards can work in harmony when guided by developmentally appropriate practice (DAP). Participants will analyze examples of learning goals, instructional strategies, and materials to uncover the key differences between alignment and standardization. Through the interactive activity “Deconstructing Worksheets—Rebuilding Learning Through Play,” educators will examine commonly used worksheets and redesign them into hands-on, play-based alternatives that meet the same learning goals while engaging the whole child. Outcomes: By the end of the session, participants will: Identify areas of natural alignment between CT ELDS and Kindergarten content standards. Compare and contrast Pre-K and K instructional approaches using developmentally appropriate principles. Evaluate examples of traditional academic tasks for developmental appropriateness. Redesign academic tasks (e.g., worksheets) into playful, standards-aligned activities. Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell Prospect 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, CT	TRACI K PROTZ View Bio
03/05/2026	10:00AM	11:45AM	Designing for All: Universal Design for Learning in Play-Based Classroom - AM Session How can we design play-based environments where every child can engage, learn, and thrive? This session explores how the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can strengthen inclusion and access in Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. Participants will examine how to proactively design play experiences, routines, and materials that offer multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression—supporting children with a wide range of abilities, languages, and learning needs. The session will include examples of inclusive materials, adaptations, and strategies that can be built into daily routines without removing play or joy from the learning experience. Outcomes: By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Explain the core principles of UDL and how they apply to early childhood settings Identify barriers to participation and learning during play and classroom routines Apply UDL strategies to adapt materials, environments, and interactions in inclusive ways Create a plan to modify a play center, routine, or classroom structure to better support diverse learners Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell Middlesex 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, CT	JENIFER L TULLER View Bio
03/05/2026	10:00AM	11:45AM	Language-Rich Classrooms: Supporting Multilingual Learners Through Play and Partnership How do we create classroom environments where multilingual learners feel seen, heard, and supported—without sacrificing play or academic growth? This interactive session will explore strengths-based, inclusive strategies for supporting multilingual learners in Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. Participants will examine how to build on children’s home languages and cultural knowledge through play-based learning, intentional language support, and strong family partnerships. Educators will reflect on their own practices and leave with ideas for creating language-rich, developmentally appropriate environments where every child can thrive. Outcomes: By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Analyze classroom practices and environments to identify barriers and opportunities for supporting multilingual learners Apply strategies that embed language development within play, routines, and intentional teacher-child interactions *Design a language-rich activity, routine, or classroom adaptation that reflects UDL principles and affirms children’s linguistic and cultural identities Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell Bliss 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, CT	CHRISTINE M BOWMAN View Bio
03/05/2026	10:00AM	11:45AM	Playful Minds in Action: Building Executive Function and Deepening DAP Across the Day - AM Session What does it really mean to create a developmentally appropriate classroom from arrival to dismissal? In this session, participants will explore how routines, transitions, and play structures can be intentionally designed to support young children’s executive function (EF) development while maintaining a DAP-aligned, inclusive, and equitable environment. This hands-on session will include games, provocations, and planning tools that educators can immediately use to build executive function skills through joyful, developmentally appropriate practice. Outcomes: By the end of the session, participants will: Identify key executive function skills and how they develop in early childhood Analyze how DAP and equitable classroom practices support EF development Design or adapt a daily routine or transition to be more play-rich and EF-friendly Explore a set of playful strategies and activities that promote executive functioning throughout the day Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell Waterford 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, CT	NATASHA K ROBINSON View Bio
03/05/2026	12:45PM	2:30PM	Assessment Without Sacrificing Play - PM Session Assessment in early childhood should reflect how young children learn—through play, exploration, and relationships. This session takes a deep dive into authentic, observation-based assessment practices that honor play as a context for learning. Participants will explore tools and strategies for capturing meaningful observations, documenting learning, and planning next steps—without interrupting the flow of play. The session will support educators in using data to inform instruction while maintaining joyful, child-centered learning environments. Participants will also examine real documentation samples and practice writing observation notes that are objective, specific, and usable for curriculum planning and family communication. Outcomes: By the end of the session, participants will: Describe the principles of observation-based and formative assessment in play-based environments. Analyze documentation samples to determine alignment with learning goals and standards. Examine sample documentation panels that reflect child learning through play. Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell Portland 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, CT	SARA E CASTLE View Bio
03/05/2026	12:45PM	2:30PM	Continuity of Curriculum and Pedagogy - PM Session What does true alignment between Pre-K and Kindergarten look like—and how can we achieve it without resorting to pushing academic content down to younger children? This session will explore how the CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS) and Kindergarten standards can work in harmony when guided by developmentally appropriate practice (DAP). Participants will analyze examples of learning goals, instructional strategies, and materials to uncover the key differences between alignment and standardization. Through the interactive activity “Deconstructing Worksheets—Rebuilding Learning Through Play,” educators will examine commonly used worksheets and redesign them into hands-on, play-based alternatives that meet the same learning goals while engaging the whole child. Outcomes: By the end of the session, participants will: Identify areas of natural alignment between CT ELDS and Kindergarten content standards. Compare and contrast Pre-K and K instructional approaches using developmentally appropriate principles. Evaluate examples of traditional academic tasks for developmental appropriateness. Redesign academic tasks (e.g., worksheets) into playful, standards-aligned activities. Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell Prospect 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, CT	TRACI K PROTZ View Bio
03/05/2026	12:45PM	2:30PM	Designing for All: Universal Design for Learning in Play-Based Classroom - PM Session How can we design play-based environments where every child can engage, learn, and thrive? This session explores how the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can strengthen inclusion and access in Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. Participants will examine how to proactively design play experiences, routines, and materials that offer multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression—supporting children with a wide range of abilities, languages, and learning needs. The session will include examples of inclusive materials, adaptations, and strategies that can be built into daily routines without removing play or joy from the learning experience. Outcomes: By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Explain the core principles of UDL and how they apply to early childhood settings Identify barriers to participation and learning during play and classroom routines Apply UDL strategies to adapt materials, environments, and interactions in inclusive ways Create a plan to modify a play center, routine, or classroom structure to better support diverse learners Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell Middlesex 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, CT	JENIFER L TULLER View Bio
03/05/2026	12:45PM	2:30PM	Language-Rich Classrooms: Supporting Multilingual Learners Through Play and Partnership How do we create classroom environments where multilingual learners feel seen, heard, and supported—without sacrificing play or academic growth? This interactive session will explore strengths-based, inclusive strategies for supporting multilingual learners in Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. Participants will examine how to build on children’s home languages and cultural knowledge through play-based learning, intentional language support, and strong family partnerships. Educators will reflect on their own practices and leave with ideas for creating language-rich, developmentally appropriate environments where every child can thrive. Outcomes: By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Analyze classroom practices and environments to identify barriers and opportunities for supporting multilingual learners Apply strategies that embed language development within play, routines, and intentional teacher-child interactions *Design a language-rich activity, routine, or classroom adaptation that reflects UDL principles and affirms children’s linguistic and cultural identities Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell Bliss 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, CT	CHRISTINE M BOWMAN View Bio
03/05/2026	12:45PM	2:30PM	Playful Minds in Action: Building Executive Function and Deepening DAP Across the Day - PM Session What does it really mean to create a developmentally appropriate classroom from arrival to dismissal? In this session, participants will explore how routines, transitions, and play structures can be intentionally designed to support young children’s executive function (EF) development while maintaining a DAP-aligned, inclusive, and equitable environment. This hands-on session will include games, provocations, and planning tools that educators can immediately use to build executive function skills through joyful, developmentally appropriate practice. Outcomes: By the end of the session, participants will: Identify key executive function skills and how they develop in early childhood Analyze how DAP and equitable classroom practices support EF development Design or adapt a daily routine or transition to be more play-rich and EF-friendly Explore a set of playful strategies and activities that promote executive functioning throughout the day Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell Waterford 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, CT	NATASHA K ROBINSON View Bio
03/05/2026	2:45PM	3:30PM	Roundtable Discussions Join our roundtable discussions - need further descriptions. Courtyard Marriott - Cromwell Main Ballroom 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, CT	JEAN D BARRESI View Bio