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Early Childhood Investigations: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Playground
Early Childhood Investigations is your gateway to inspiring, research-based professional development. Since 2009, our free webinar series has brought together authors, researchers, and leaders in early care and education to share timely insights and spark meaningful conversations across the workforce. We believe high-quality professional development should be accessible, practical, and immediately useful. ECI is a movement that empowers directors, administrators, and teachers to elevate their practice and strengthen outcomes for children and families. https://ecewebinars.com/spotify
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- 5 days ago1h 25m
Coaching vs. Mentoring: What’s the difference? by Dr. Tamar Andrews
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 SoftwareAs early childhood leaders, we're constantly supporting the growth of the educators around us — but are we using the right tools for the job? Coaching and mentoring are both powerful, yet they serve very different purposes. Knowing when to coach and when to mentor can transform how you lead your team and build a culture of continuous growth in your program.In this session, we'll cut through the confusion and give directors, coordinators, and educational leaders a clear, practical framework for understanding both approaches — and confidently knowing which one to reach for.Participants will:Define coaching and mentoring in straightforward terms and explain the distinct purpose of eachExplore how the two approaches differ in structure, frequency, and who drives the conversationApply real ECE examples of coaching in action — including support around transitions, circle time, classroom routines, and behavior management — and identify tools that make coaching effectiveApply real ECE examples of mentoring in action — including helping a new teacher build confidence, deepen reflective practice, or begin thinking about leadership goals — and explore the tools that support meaningful mentoring relationshipsClarify common misconceptions: coaching and mentoring are not punishment, criticism, formal supervision, or therapyWalk away with a practical "when to use which" decision guide designed specifically for directors and educational leaders
- 6 days ago1h 24m
More Than We Imagined: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Thrive Through Everyday Challenges by Ellen M. Drolette
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 childhood professionals regularly navigate unpredictable situations: big feelings, complex behaviors, competing demands, and the constant balancing of children’s needs, family expectations, and program requirements. Whether you’re an administrator, a family child care provider, or a center-based educator, these everyday challenges can stretch your capacity and shape the climate of your work.This webinar explores how Appreciative Inquiry offers practical tools for responding to challenging moments with clarity, presence, and intention. Drawing from the book More Than We Imagined by Ellen M. Drolette, we’ll examine how what we notice, amplify, and choose to focus on can shift the trajectory of an interaction and open up new possibilities. Participants will learn strengths-based strategies that support well-being, build trust, and promote resilience across early childhood settings.You’ll walk away with actionable approaches rooted in play, connection, and reflection—approaches that help reduce stress, strengthen professional relationships, and create conditions where both adults and children can thrive.Learning ObjectivesExplain how Appreciative Inquiry principles support well-being and resilience: Describe how the questions we ask—and the meaning we assign to situations—influence our responses during challenging moments.Identify how small shifts in adult response impact emotional safety and learning: Recognize how tone, presence, and interpretation shape outcomes in family child care settings, centers, and administrative roles.Apply strengths-based strategies that turn difficult interactions into opportunities for growth: Use curiosity, reframing, and a focus on what’s working to guide decision-making and problem-solving.
- 1 weeks ago1h 22m
Leading Across Generations: Strategies for a Stronger, More Collaborative Team by Dr. Keena Mosley
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 SoftwareIn today’s work environment, leading a team requires a nuanced understanding of each member’s values, expectations, and work styles. With a focus on collaboration, this workshop is designed to equip leaders with the tools and insights needed to effectively engage, motivate, and guide multiple generations.Join Dr. Keena R. Mosley, former award-winning collegiate professor, author, and Founder of Momentum Leadership Group. With her people-centered strategic approach, participants will explore practical skills that foster a productive, responsive, and inclusive workplace. Through interactive activities, they will bring current research to life and identify clear next steps for applying the content in their real-world settings.Learning ObjectivesBy the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:Analyze research on generational characteristics: Explore insights from academic institutions and research organizations and discuss their practical application.Adapt communication skills to optimize team performance: Examine the communication needs of each generation and compare them to current practices and challenges.Identify strategies to foster a collaborative team culture: Review and practice team-building strategies and activities that help create a motivating environment for all generations.This session will empower you to lead with confidence and build a cohesive, high-performing team—no matter the generational mix.
- 1 weeks ago1h 25m
AI Search Is Here - The Gold Rush Opportunity for Child Care Centers in 2026 by Bruce Spurr
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 SoftwareOnly 3 centers will own the leaders in your market—How to make sure you’re one of them Search is being completely rebuilt — and most childcare centers don’t realize it yet. Parents are no longer just clicking ads or scrolling your social posts.They’re:Asking AI tools like ChatGPT where to find childcare nearbyReading AI-generated summaries at the top of GoogleChoosing centers directly from Google MapsAt the same time, buying attention through ads is getting harder, more expensive, and less predictable for local businesses—the cost is out of reach of most child care centers.(Google finally admitted to us that new ad accounts need $100/day media spend to train their AI buying algorithm! That’s absolutely ridiculous for the ECE industry!)In this live training, Bruce Spurr, CEO of Grow Your Center, will break down how AI-powered search is transforming the way parents discover childcare — and why this shift is creating the biggest local visibility opportunity we’ve seen since 2008.History is being made. We’re not just going to talk about AI search, but give you CONTEXT in how the new world of “SEO” fits into your complete marketing stack in 2026…how owners just like you are filling their open classroom spots!In this session, you’ll learn: Why Google Maps has quietly become the most important “search engine” for parentsHow AI summaries are deciding which childcare centers get mentioned (and which get ignored)Your website is not only still relevant, but a critical conversion tool in your marketing stackWhy attention is getting more expensive to buy — including where and how to spend your ad dollars to “multiple” it’s effect What “AI-powered search visibility” actually means for local businessesWhy ranking for a city is not the right play, and how zip codes and neighborhoods now drive enrollment demandWhat it takes to show up when parents search inside AI tools like ChatGPTHow early movers are getting huge gains while others disappear (the gold rush is real!)This training is especially valuable if: You want more predictable enrollmentYou’re tired of wasting $ on adsYou operate in a competitive marketYou have an enrollment gap you need to fillWe’ll also have a Q&A and select 3-5 audience volunteers to review your rankings!
- 2 weeks ago1h 26m
The Science of Play, Part 2: Making It Work — Applying the Recognize–Emphasize–Maximize Framework for Deep Learning Through Play by Amanda Morgan, MS
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 SoftwareYou’ve explored why play matters—now it’s time to focus on how to make it work. In this practical follow-up to The Science of Play, Amanda Morgan—author of Not Just Cute: How Powerful Play Drives Development in Early Childhood—will dive deeper into the Recognize–Emphasize–Maximize Framework to show how intentional, guided play can support meaningful developmental outcomes without co-opting the play itself.Through relatable play examples and reflection tools, you’ll learn how to align play with your curriculum and objectives, make strategic amendments to support standards, and introduce authentic, play-based assessment methods. Whether you’re teaching in the classroom or leading at the program level, this session will help you bridge the gap between theory and practice—so play can flourish as both joyful and truly rigorous learning.Learning Outcomes: By the end of this session, you will be able to:Apply the Recognize–Emphasize–Maximize Framework to intentionally plan and support powerful play experiences.Align playful learning with developmental outcomes and curriculum goals without diminishing children’s agency or joy.Identify opportunities to adapt or “amend” curriculum and objectives to better reflect how children actually learn through play.Implement authentic assessment practices that capture meaningful growth within play-based contexts.Strengthen your ability to articulate and defend the educational value of play to colleagues, families, and decision-makers.
- 2 weeks ago1h 23m
From Idea to Launch: Starting Your Early Childhood Business the Right Way by Chelsea Denny
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 SoftwareAre 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.
- 3 weeks ago1h 22m
Leadership and Play: It’s Serious Business by Kimberlee Burt Hendricks
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 SoftwareLeadership isn’t positional—it’s relational. Whether you’re a president, owner, principal, director, teacher, counselor, parent, or the person responsible for making sure lunch arrives on time—if you work with people, and especially with children, you lead. Leadership is not defined by a title; it’s expressed through presence, listening, and creating space for others to thrive.In this session, Kimberlee Burt Hendricks, The Play and Learn Leader at A Child’s Space 2, will guide participants through an exploration of how play is not just for children, it’s a vital practice that nurtures creativity, connection, and emotional well-being for adults as well. Through stories, research, and reflective experiences, Kimberlee will illuminate how neuroscience and well-established leadership models reveal that play is not a distraction from leadership, but a catalyst for it.As early learning environments continue to evolve, embracing play, both personally and professionally, has never been more important. Participants will engage in reflective discussions and playful moments that highlight how curiosity, imagination, and laughter strengthen leadership at every level.Because when we understand the power of play, we lead and live with greater joy, empathy, and purpose.Learning ObjectivesAfter this session, participants will be able to:Explain how neuroscience supports the role of play in fostering creativity, focus, and well-being for both children and adults.Identify leadership models—including servant, whole, transformational, and psychological safety frameworks—that align with playful, human-centered practice.Reflect on strategies for integrating play into everyday professional interactions to enhance connection and trust.
- May 15, 20261h 23m
Self-Regulation In Early Childhood Classrooms: Improving Teacher Practice While Supporting Engagement and Achievement by Carrie Comer-Yates
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 SoftwareWhat if strengthening self-regulation could transform not only children’s behavior—but your entire classroom experience?In this research-informed session led by Dr. Carrie Comer-Yates, you’ll explore how young children’s self-regulation skills directly influence teacher practice, classroom expectations, and student success. Dr. Comer-Yates is deeply committed to helping educators build foundational skills in social-emotional development, differentiate classroom supports, and care for their own social-emotional well-being alongside their students’.Drawing from a comprehensive study of early childhood classrooms, this webinar examines the shared responsibilities between children and educators, the role of the learning environment, and the levels of support needed for children to thrive. You’ll gain practical, actionable strategies grounded in real classroom data—highlighting the critical roles of professional development, family engagement, and intentional instructional practices.The session also explores how factors such as culture shape self-regulation and influence classroom expectations. By strengthening your understanding of self-regulation, you’ll be better equipped to foster positive social, emotional, and academic growth—creating more responsive, supportive, and successful learning environments, even within complex early childhood systems.Learning ObjectivesBy the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:Identify how children’s self-regulation skills impact teacher practice and classroom dynamicsExamine the shared responsibilities between educators, students, and the learning environment in supporting self-regulationDescribe effective instructional strategies that strengthen self-regulation in early childhood settingsRecognize the influence of culture and other contextual factors on self-regulation and classroom expectationsApply research-based approaches that support positive social, emotional, and academic outcomes for young children
About Early Childhood Investigations
Early Childhood Investigations is your gateway to inspiring, research-based professional development. Since 2009, our free webinar series has brought together authors, researchers, and leaders in early care and education to share timely insights and spark meaningful conversations across the workforce. We believe high-quality professional development should be accessible, practical, and immediately useful. ECI is a movement that empowers directors, administrators, and teachers to elevate their practice and strengthen outcomes for children and families. https://ecewebinars.com/spotify
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