Join WestEd’s early childhood experts at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Annual Conference, November 19–22, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
NAEYC is one of the largest early childhood education conferences in the country, connecting 7,000 early childhood professionals, including classroom teachers, center directors, administrators, and leaders who prepare, mentor, and support early childhood professionals.
This year’s conference theme is In This Place, We Learn. For Every Child, We Lead.
Our team will facilitate two sessions in Spanish and four sessions in English that will cover a range of topics, including
- the principles of Reggio Emilia’s educational philosophy,
- the power of responsive relationships for infants and toddlers,
- mathematics teaching and learning for preschool students,
- educator and family engagement in STEAM,
- outdoor activities and interactions, and
- developmental conversations with families.
Add WestEd sessions to your conference calendar, and visit WestEd’s exhibit booth (#733), where you can meet our team and learn about our publications, professional learning opportunities, and research.
Follow WestEd on LinkedIn and Bluesky to share your insights from the conference!
WestEd Sessions
Friday, November 21
“You Get Me”: The Power of Responsive Relationships for Infants and Toddlers
Time & Location: 8–9:30 a.m. / W314B
Session Description: This session will explore current understanding of why responsive relationships are critically important for infants and toddlers and how caregivers can develop responsive relationships with them. It will begin with a look at what research says about the positive impact of experiencing responsive interactions in predictable relationships, including the impact on early brain development. Responsiveness gives a child the message that a person important to them understands their interests, strengths, and needs and connects with them in predictable, reassuring ways.
Presenters: Peter Mangione (WestEd), Amber Morabito (WestEd), and Consuelo Espinosa (WestEd)
Family–School Partnerships as Vehicles for Transforming Math Teaching and Learning for All Preschool Students
Time & Location: 10–11:30 a.m. / W304EF
Session Description: The session aims to enhance teachers and preschool staff’s approach to math instruction and family–school partnerships and ultimately support children’s math development and school readiness. It will unpack findings from a recent research study examining Black families’ involvement in, perspectives about, and desired resources for supporting their preschool-aged children’s math learning. These insights from Black families are important to consider because improving the learning opportunities and outcomes of all children remains a crucial priority. The session will connect the study findings to the fourth edition of the “Developmentally Appropriate Practice” position statement, the “Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education” position statement, and previous research. These findings highlight the need for culturally responsive teachers who confront their implicit biases, hold high expectations for all children’s math learning, and facilitate reciprocal family–school partnerships.
Presenters: Ashli-Ann Douglas (WestEd)
Engaging Families, Communities, and Learning Settings in Math and STEAM
Time & Location: 1–2:30 p.m. / W106
Presenters: Jonathan Dueck (Count Play Explore), Naomi Reeley (Fresno County Superintendent of Schools), and Jenine Schmidt (WestEd)
Session Description: At Count Play Explore (CPE), we work to provide free resources that engage educators and families in the math and science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) learning of children from birth to age 8. CPE family engagement resources focus on building positive math and science identities and mindsets. CPE resources highlight how math and science are everywhere, are for everyone, and are fun and playful. Our strengths-based approach recognizes and builds on ways families already support children’s STEAM development and learning through everyday routines and play. Join us to learn about the many CPE math and STEAM resources available to educators and families, including some in multiple languages.
Presenters: Jonathan Dueck (Count Play Explore), Naomi Reeley (Fresno County Superintendent of Schools), and Jenine Schmidt (WestEd)
Saturday, November 22
“What Do I Say?”: Talking With Parents About Developmental Concerns
Time & Location: 9:30–10:45 a.m. / W102B
Session Description: Our session explores how developmental screening practices support conversations between families and educators about children’s development. Often, families and educators have questions or concerns about children’s development and what to do next. Routine use of evidence-based screening tools normalizes conversations about children’s development, making these conversations part of everyday practice in child care settings. Join us to explore lessons learned about screening and referral from a federal Office of Special Education Programs–funded model demonstration project, the Collective Impact Model for IDEA Part C Child Find (CIM-C), which focuses on how to use routine screening procedures and different tools to talk with families and connect them to services.
Participants can earn 0.1 CEUs for this session.
Presenters: Jenine Schmidt (WestEd) and Jamie Michaud (WestEd)
WestEd Exhibit Booth
Visit WestEd’s exhibit booth #733 to meet and talk with our team and learn about our professional learning opportunities, resources, and more.
Exhibit Hours
- Wednesday, November 19: 1–4 p.m.—Grand Opening!
- Thursday, November 20: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Friday, November 21: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.