Join WestEd at the First 1,000 Days! Early Head Start Conference hosted by the Region 9 Head Start Association.
Region 9 Head Start gathers annually to challenge and celebrate the work of early childhood professionals around the country. This year’s conference them is “Trusting in Time: How Head Start Shapes a Better Future for Children and Families.“
WestEd Sessions and Workshops
Monday, June 8
Pre-Conference Session—Let’s Play! For Twos and Threes
Presenters: Carly Bedard, Krista Murphy, and Michelle Galindo
Time: 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Location: Hyatt Regency Irvine, Irvine, California.
Member Rate: $275 per person
Nonmember Rate: $300 per person
Register Today! (Must also be registered for the full conference to participate in this session)
Ignite your understanding of what play is, why it is essential for children’s healthy growth and development, and how to build your day around child-directed play for 2- and 3-year-olds. We will explore the magic of open-ended materials, how to set up your environment for success (including how to manage clean up time without losing your mind!), and how schema theory can help you make sense of challenging play behaviors like dumping or throwing.
This full-day workshop uses interactive strategies that actively engage participants, and it includes time to reflect, connect, share, and—of course—to play. You’ll leave with a workbook packed with resources and research to inspire your practice, a loose-parts starter kit, and family handouts to support families as partners in helping children grow and learn through play.
Tuesday, June 9
Conference Workshop—Building Bonds: Strengthening Caregiver-Child Connections
Presenters: Marlo Dinkins
Time: 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Location: Hyatt Regency Irvine, Irvine, California.
In this engaging workshop, we will delve into the essential role that caregiver-child relationships play in fostering healthy emotional and developmental growth. We will explore various aspects of these relationships, including attachment theory, communication styles, and the impact of positive interactions on children’s well-being. Participants will partake in hands-on activities designed to enhance connection, empathy, and mutual understanding between caregivers and children, utilizing the PITC Responsive Process of Watch, Ask, Adapt. These activities aim to equip caregivers with practical tools and strategies for everyday interactions, thereby supporting the holistic well-being of both caregivers and children. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play in these relationships and actionable insights to nurture a thriving caregiver-child bond.
Wednesday, June 10
Conference Session—A Guided Approach to Considering What Quality Care Looks Like for Babies and the Educators Who Care for Them
Presenters: Bianca Reyes, Kerry Kriener-Althen, and Rebeca Diaz
Time: 8:30–10 a.m.
Location: Hyatt Regency Irvine, Irvine, California.
This session will introduce the Program for Infant/Toddler Care Program Assessment and Reflection System (PITC PARS) and how to use the quality measures as resources for learning about, exploring, and understanding program quality indicators. The PITC PARS, developed by WestEd, supports quality improvement for both family child care and center-based programs and across the whole infant/toddler age range. The PITC PARS includes essential quality indicators emphasizing relationships with families, inclusion, and culturally responsive care. It is presented in a way that is both approachable and doable. During this session, participants will be guided to explore specific indicators and walk away with strategies they can implement as they continue to refine their practice. This engaging session is appropriate for all audiences and levels of experience who are interested in providing high-quality infant/toddler care.
Conference Workshop—Everyday Moments Matter: Supporting Infant and Toddler Social-Emotional Development Through Routines
Presenters: Consuelo Espinosa and Paulina Escamilla-Vestal
Time: 1–2:30 p.m.
Location: Hyatt Regency Irvine, Irvine, California.
Daily routines such as feeding, diapering, napping, and transitions, provide powerful opportunities to nurture infants and toddlers social-emotional development. This workshop will explore how consistent, responsive caregiving during everyday routines helps young children build secure relationships, develop self-regulation, and support secure attachments. Participants will examine practical strategies to turn ordinary caregiving moments into meaningful interactions that support trust, communication, and emotional growth.