On March 7 and 8, kindergarten teachers, arts educators, school directors, librarians, and researchers in early learning gathered online and in person for Teaching Kindergarten: Where Did the Garden Go?, an annual conference founded in 2017 by early childhood education experts Betsy Grob, GSE ’72 and ’99, and Fretta Reitzes, GSE ’69 that celebrates the important and unique role of kindergarten in the lives of young children.
This year’s conference focused on “The Power of Language” in today’s extraordinarily challenging educational landscape. Attendees included more than 140 educators from 18 states and from Bulgaria, Romania, Portugal, and the Netherlands. Together, they explored how language strengthens kindergartener’s critical thinking skills and social-emotional development and learned about how curricula and classroom environments can encourage children to formulate and express their ideas, feelings, and opinions through play, words, books, the arts, STEM, and more. Equally important, this conference encouraged teachers to rediscover their voices as educators.
The opening keynote, presented by Dr. Pedro Noguera, Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education, was entitled “Finding Your Voice as a Kindergarten Teacher in a Complex World.” Dr. Noguera addressed the significant and essential role of language and underscored the importance of modeling rich and diverse language in the classroom.
“Language is the bridge that connects children to the world around them,” Dr. Noguera said. “When we help children develop strong verbal skills, we empower them to express emotions, build relationships, and navigate the complexities of social interactions.”
The second keynote, entitled “Teacher Talk: The Power of Your Words,” presented by Dr. Lydia Soifer, a renowned language pathologist and educator, focused on the impact of language-rich play on cognitive and social-emotional growth.
“Play is not just a way for children to pass the time—it is a space where language flourishes,” Dr. Soifer said. “When children engage in imaginative play, they are not only creating stories, but also practicing negotiation, problem-solving, and self-expression.”
The conference also featured an arts gathering called “The Art of Bookmaking” led by arts advocate Alana Chernecki. Attendees stayed long after the session ended, continuing to make an assortment of books while talking together about how to use them in their kindergarten curriculum and classrooms. The arts gathering was supported by the Fran Strauss Early Childhood Endowment.
During the author’s corner, award-winning children’s book author Carmen Agra Deedy emphasized the power of words and stories, and how deeply they touch children’s lives in her presentation, which was entitled “That One Child.” Deedy shared an encounter from her own childhood that influenced her decision to author many beloved bilingual books for children.
Additionally, hands-on and interactive interactive workshops explored a broad range of topics, including “Honoring Identity Through Picture Books,” Exploring Wordless Books,” “The Power of Conversation in the Block Corner,” “Music! Music! Music!,” “Kindergartners are Artists at Work,” Interpreting the Scribbles and Nurturing Expressive Writing,” and “Empowering Identity Through Literature,” among many others.
Attendees also came together for “Lunch & Learn” facilitated discussions where they shared their deep concerns and the challenges they are experiencing in their classrooms and school communities.
Joy LundeenEllebane, Director, Continuing Professional Studies and conference coordinator, said, “For many, this event is more than just a professional development opportunity. It provides the community that educators need, especially in difficult times. We hope they gain a renewed sense of purpose and an array of new strategies to implement in their classrooms.”
Bank Street College of Education, known for its progressive approach to teacher preparation, has long been a leader in early childhood education. The Teaching Kindergarten Conference continues to serve as a hub for innovation, reaffirming the College’s commitment to equipping educators with the tools and strategies needed to nurture young learners’ development.
In his welcoming remarks at the conference, Shael Polakow-Suransky, GSE ’00, President, said, “Together, we must create schools that cultivate curiosity and compassion. That’s why your work with young children is so vital and it’s why I’m so grateful for this conference. You’re all here today to learn together with us.”
To learn more about the conference and view details on this year’s keynote presentations and workshops, visit the Teaching Kindergarten Conference webpage
Bank Street is honored to offer the annual Teaching Kindergarten Conference with generous support from the Fran Strauss Early Childhood Endowment. A Bank Street alumna, Fran had a passionate belief that young students develop a joy for learning through a multisensory progressive education. To support future conferences, please consider donating to the endowment.