Discover the Future of Early Childhood Education
Conference Agenda

Explore the exciting agenda for the “Believe in Our Future” Early Childhood International Educational Conference! Packed with engaging sessions and thought-provoking keynote presentations, the conference offers something for everyone passionate about early childhood education.
Conference Agenda
Day 1
Wednesday May 7th, 2025
Refreshments with Dr. Sarah Aiono & Dr. Layne Pethick
6:30 pm– 8:00 pm
Day 2
Thursday May 8th, 2025
Opening Remarks
8:45 am
Lyndon Linklater
9:00 am
Dr. Sarah Aiono
9:30 am
In a world increasingly driven by data, testing and formalized learning, early years educators, childcare providers, and community leaders stand as guardians of childhood. This presentation challenges us to hold steadfast in our commitment to play and developmentally appropriate practices, pushing back against societal pressures to introduce unnecessary rigour and standardized measures to our youngest learners. Drawing on evidence-informed research, we will explore how play-based and child-centred approaches lay the essential foundations for lifelong learning, wellbeing, and resilience. Together, we will redefine what accountability and rigour look like in the early years, advocating for approaches that honor the needs of children and build a future we can all believe in – one where every child is free to learn, grow, and thrive in ways that are best for them.
Break
10:45 am
Dr. Sarah Aiono
11:00 am
Behavior and social emotional growth and development are vital in the early years. Brain research shows just how important. This session will help participants look at behavior through the brain’s perspective and learn what supports and interventions have the best outcomes. This is an interactive session and participants should be ready to have some fun, laugh, and enjoy learning about behavior!
Lunch and Vendors
12:00 pm
Dr. Layne Pethick
1:15 pm
Behavior and social emotional growth and development are vital in the early years. Brain research shows just how important. This session will help participants look at behavior through the brain’s perspective and learn what supports and interventions have the best outcomes. This is an interactive session and participants should be ready to have some fun, laugh, and enjoy learning about behavior!
Break
2:45 pm
Dr. Jean Clinton
3:00 pm
I will talk to you about the brain and the power of relationships and connection. The knowledge we now have about the brain and its development is profound. It’s knowledge that will change the way you think and even more importantly the way you feel and act. What we know is that love builds brains. Throughout pregnancy, infancy, and toddlerhood the brain is developing on a massive scale, built by the experiences that children have. However, it doesn’t end there. Our brains are changing, sculpting, and transforming, throughout our lifetime. As we learn and change our interactions with our children both their brains and our brains are changed. It is never too late. When we change the way we think we change how we feel AND how we act. I want to help you explore the way you think about your interactions with your children, and how you can spend more time connecting and less time correcting them I will focus on children’s natural competence and capacity for learning, curiosity, and desire to explore and learn about their world. Be secure in the knowledge that your love, guidance, and support can and does change their world.
Vendors
4:30 pm
Day 3
Friday May 9th, 2025
Welcome Back
8:45 am
Mark Tremblay
9:00 am
Very recently there has been a push to draw attention to “the next 1000 days”, referring to the time period after “the first 1000 days”(conception to end of second year of life). The next 1000 days focusses on the unique importance of the developmental period between ages 2-4 years, for all aspects of health (physical, emotional, social). This period is especially important with respect to healthy movement behaviours (physical activities, sedentary behaviours, sleep) that are associated with healthy physical, cognitive and psychosocial developmental indicators. This presentation will define “the next 1000 days” framework; explain the importance of healthy, integrated, individualized movement behaviours for early years children; review Canadian movement behavior guidelines for the early years; summarize the latest research related to movement behaviours and holistic health indicators; highlight the potential of outdoor time for healthy development; explore potential insights from international and cross-cultural research; and discuss the implications of the latest research for best parenting and child[1]care practice. The presentation will be sprinkled with group brainstorming sessions.
Break
10:30 am
Kim Clairy
10:45 am
HINDSIGHT
“Hindsight is 20/20! In what I wish they knew when I was young, Kim shares what supports, and strategies would have been helpful for her as a child growing up with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorder. Attendees not only gain understanding on behavioral and learning challenges seen in some children, but also become more equipped to create a supportive home and classroom environment for the unique needs of those with autism and learning differences.”
Lunch and Vendors
12:15 pm
Jim Gill
1:15 pm
Forty years ago, Jim Gill picked up a banjo excited by the idea that music, apart from the joy it brings, is a great way to help young children learn.
In this energizing session Jim shares examples of his award-winning songs and musical books that combine opportunities for active movement with word play and rhymes. He also discusses:
-How music play inspires young children not only to move, but to regulate their movements…..not only to sing, but to make connections between the words they sing and the printed word and world of numbers.
-How music play can help create an inclusive environment for children with special needs and from all different backgrounds.
Early care and education professionals will leave the session inspired to celebrate with new songs and playful literacy activities. Even more, they will leave the session thinking about new strategies to help children learn!
Break
3:00 pm
Dr. Layne Pethick
3:15 pm
Register Now
Registration $450