Advancing research and effective practices in early childhood education is essential to creating environments where every child can learn, grow, and thrive.
To help teachers, leaders, and other early childhood professionals deepen their knowledge and refine their practice, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) hosted its Annual Conference from November 5–9 in Anaheim, California. The five-day conference offered extensive professional development through sessions on key topics and issues in early childhood education and opportunities for networking and collaboration.
This year, early childhood experts from the Bank Street Education Center led two presentations during the conference, sharing expertise on a coaching framework designed to support educators through relationship-building and on strategies for addressing sensory processing needs to create inclusive classrooms. In addition, Bank Street hosted an information booth at the conference to network with attendees, as well as a post-conference cocktail gathering for alumni and friends of Bank Street.
“We were proud to join this year’s conference to share Bank Street’s work and offer early childhood educators evidence-based resources and hands-on learning experiences through our workshops and information booth,” said Dr. Davia Brown Franklyn, GSE ’97, Executive Director, Early Childhood, Bank Street Education Center. “Our sessions provided a collaborative space for teachers, coaches, center directors, and others in the field to reflect and explore strategies they can use to strengthen their practice and support young children across settings.”
The first session, led by Jeré Davis, GSE ’13, Coach and Facilitator, Bank Street Education Center, and Tarima Levine, GSE ’01,’24, Managing Director of Content, Design, and Strategy, Bank Street Education Center, explored “Coaching in Relationship: A Framework Rooted in the Developmental-Interaction Approach” and was attended by over 80 participants. Drawing from Bank Street’s developmental-interaction approach, the session introduced a coaching framework developed to support a relationship-based model that honors educators’ expertise, craft, and unique experiences.
Working with content outlined in A Framework for Coaching in Early Childhood Settings: Drawing on Bank Street College of Education’s Developmental-Interaction Approach, participants examined four key elements of effective coaching: ways of being; development, identity, and culture; educator practice; and the complexities of the coaching ecosystem.
During the session, attendees engaged in a community-building exercise in which partners worked together to coach each other in replicating an image using Legos. The activity prompted attendees to observe, record, and reflect on their coaching stance, helping them begin to understand how their “ways of being” can impact their work as coaches.
“Our goal was to provide participants with a reflective, hands-on experience to demonstrate how the principles of the developmental-interaction approach can inform real-world coaching practices,” said Levine.
Davis added, “Our session encouraged participants to explore strategies that build on the relational aspects of coaching with a focus on how a strengths-based approach can influence effective teaching practices and support educators in creating nurturing and impactful learning environments.”
The next session, led by Dr. Brown Franklyn and Victoria Ozeir, GSE ’19, Associate Director, Early Childhood Content and Facilitation, Bank Street Education Center, focused on “When I Need More and You Need Less: Supporting Sensory Processing in the Early Childhood Environment.” The session provided an overview of the sensory systems and highlighted how educators can identify and support both sensory-seeking and sensory-avoidant children to joyfully and effectively learn in a classroom setting.
Over 80 participants, including early childhood educators, leaders, and specialists, joined the workshop to examine how sensory processing can impact young children’s learning and engagement.
The session began with attendees exploring different types of materials like Play-Doh, clay, slime, and popsicle sticks to activate a variety of sensory systems. Participants then reflected on their own preferences for various textures and connected these ideas to how children may engage with or avoid activities based on their individual preferences. Lastly, they identified environmental changes they can make in their classrooms to create more meaningful learning experiences for all students.
“Through this session, we aimed to empower educators with concrete strategies to meet the sensory needs of children in their care,” said Ozeir. “Educators can introduce new materials and experiences to further solidify a preference or help students explore something new, and by understanding sensory systems and offering appropriate supports, teachers can create environments where all children feel comfortable and ready to learn.”
Attendees left both sessions led by Bank Street with a deeper understanding of how to implement strategies and integrate these learnings into their work. One participant reflected on the coaching workshop: “This is the best professional learning that I’ve ever had. It made me realize the kind of leader I want to be.” Many participants also visited Bank Street at the expo after each session to ask additional questions and meet the presenters.
Educators who visited the booth had the opportunity to learn about Bank Street’s programs designed specifically for early childhood education, including master’s degree programs, continuing education, conferences, and additional professional development for those working with young children or in the field. Visitors also enjoyed fun activities like creating friendship bracelets, spinning the prize wheel, answering reflection questions, and more as they conversed with faculty and staff.
On the evening of November 7, Bank Street’s Development and Alumni Relations Office hosted a special gathering for alumni and friends in the Anaheim area. Guests enjoyed an evening of networking and celebrating the lasting impact of the Bank Street community as they reconnected with colleagues and shared their ongoing work in education.
Among those in attendance were Jim Clay, GSE ’88, Former President of Bank Street College Alumni Association, and Laleña Garcia, GSE ’02, who presented the session “Fabulous Families: Engaging and Including LGBTQ+ Families” during the conference.
The NAEYC Annual Conference is one of the largest early childhood education exhibitions, featuring over 250 exhibitors this year. A longstanding leader in early childhood education, Bank Street was proud to be part of this collaborative space and share innovative tools, research, and strategies to support young children and the adults who work with them.