The Week of the Young Child, an annual nationwide initiative of the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is dedicated to celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities. This year’s Week of the Young Child takes place from April 6 to 12.
One key way in which DIEEC recognizes the Week of the Young Child is a signature event: a webinar with a panel of experts & advocates coming together to discuss and reflect on a chosen critical topic in early childhood. The theme for this year is Welcoming All Children. Our expert panelists will engage in discussion and offer concrete ideas and suggestions to help all learners can access and participate in meaningful, challenging learning opportunities.
Resources
Background Introductory Videos:
The Whole Child Approach:
Welcoming All Children 2024 Panelists
Lisa Miller, B.A.
Moderator
Lisa’s interest in improving education and supporting the advancement of the field influenced her past and future career endeavors immensely. Lisa started working as an educational publisher creating literacy workbooks and manipulative materials for high school curricula. Years later, while teaching English at Delaware Technical Community College, she began to understand the importance of early learning experiences. She became an assessor of early learning development for ages pre-k to adults and the director of education at Huntington Learning Center. Starting at the Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children (deaeyc), nearly five years ago, she knew she landed where she was meant to be. Lisa is currently the Executive Director, at deaeyc and her passion for advocating for early education in opportunities has only grown.
Jessica Slade, Ph.D.
Jessica Slade has degrees in Theater Arts; Curriculum and Instruction; and Teaching, Learning and Culture. She also has experience as an early childhood educator, with 10 years in birth through five classrooms. As an Assistant Professor of Instruction, she was awarded the University of Texas System Regents Outstanding Teaching Award in 2020, and the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children Teacher Educator of the Year in 2023. Jessica focuses on classroom culture, social and emotional learning, process-based pedagogies, play-based curriculum, and early childhood teacher support. Jessica is currently an assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Development’s Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Delaware. Additionally she is also the program coordinator for the Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Delaware.
Kim Brancato, Ph.D.
Kim Brancato serves as the principal of the Appoquinimink Preschool Center within the Appoquinimink School District. With a rich administrative background spanning over three decades in Delaware districts, Kim is dedicated to fostering environments where young children, regardless of abilities, thrive in learning, play, and growth. She is committed to supporting ALL young children, by providing a high-quality inclusive environment. She believes an essential component of early childhood inclusion is ensuring that the appropriate supports, accommodations, modifications, and professional learning are provided to assist children.
Robin Cunconan-Lahr, M.S., J.D.
Robin Cunconan-Lahr is an attorney and educator focusing on disability rights advocacy. She has spent most of her legal career assisting families and students with disabilities in matters of special education law, ensuring their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. She also works to effect disability policy that impacts laws, attitudes, and systems change in order to create and sustain equitable and inclusive practices. Robin’s work in higher education at Northampton Community College in the Lehigh Valley, PA concentrates on preparing students who are on a career pathway to becoming educators. Through teaching and consulting, she informs and models the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to both current and future practitioners in the field, including early childhood and school-age classrooms.
Denisha Jones, Ph.D., J.D.
Denisha Jones currently serves as the Executive Director of Defending the Early Years, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring fair, inclusive, and high-quality early childhood education for all young children. After dedicating the past two decades to teaching education in both Washington, DC, and New York, Denisha is now actively engaged in supporting local grassroots advocacy initiatives aimed at reinstating the vital connection between high-quality Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) and child development. Additionally, she is dedicated to fostering positive racial identity development in young children, emphasizing the importance of this aspect in their early years.
Week of the Young Child (WOYC) 2023 Celebration
The University of Delaware Celebrates Week of the Young Child 2023
The Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC), in partnership with the Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children (deaeyc), is proud to recognize this annual initiative with a signature event. Join UD early childhood experts along with other state early childhood education leaders for a special panel discussion entitled:
Challenging Behaviors: Partnering for Positive Outcomes
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 (past event)
A discussion on helpful strategies, including the value of engaging with families and community resources, to create lasting change.
Panelists
Sarah Mallory, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor (College of Education & Human Development, Center for Disabilities Studies), University of Delaware
Julius Mullen, Ed.D., LPCMH (Dr. J)
Chief Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Children & Families First (CFF)
Stav Bennett, LPCMH
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, & Their Families (DSCYF), Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services
Briana Haut, Psy.D.
Adjunct professor (College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences) and researcher (Attachment & Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) Lab), University of Delaware
Moderated By:
Lisa Miller
Executive Director, Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children (deaeyc)
Week of the Young Child (WOYC) 2022 Celebration
The University of Delaware Celebrates Week of the Young Child 2022
The Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood, in partnership with the University of Delaware’s Lab School, is pleased to present:
The Heart of Early Childhood Education: Teaching Social and Emotional Resilience in Young Children
A Panel Discussion (Virtual)
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 (past event)
Join these early childhood education advocates as they discuss and reflect on the critical need for young children to develop the skills to be resilient. Through a question-and-answer format, they will address how promoting resilience in young children is an investment in our future – resilient children become productive and healthy citizens.
Participants are invited to view four ten-minute videos featuring staff from our Lab School and other leaders in the field who share strategies for increasing young children’s skills in self-regulation, managing emotions, and interacting with peers.
Panelists
Nefertiti B. Poyner, Ed. D
Early Childhood Specialist, National Trainer – Devereux Center for Resilient Children
Jamie Schneider
Board President, Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children Education (deaeyc), Owner/Administrator, Educational Enrichment Cente
Melanie Thomas-Price, Ed.D
CEO/Administrator
A Leap of Faith Child Development Center, Inc.
Clark Scott
Second Grade Teacher, Anna P. Mote Elementary School
Laura Morris
Master Teacher, University of Delaware Lab School
Moderated By:
Rena Hallam
Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Science Director, Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood University of Delaware
