Below is a list of sessions that will be offered at the 2025 Harvest a Rainbow Conference.
*Sessions are added as they are approved by our Conference Committee.
*Please note that these sessions are subject to change.
The Magic of Music & Movement
Stephen Fite
This participatory workshop will give teachers a new perspective on using music with children as they discover the power of Rhythm, Repetition and Melody and understand the connection between music & movement and the brain, and the role they play in retention.
Engaging Children with Music & Movement
Stephen Fite
Does music engage children? Yes, it does and the possibilities for its use in the classroom are unlimited. Stephen will offer lots of encouragement, rules of engagement and user-friendly ideas that will help them engage and focus their children with lots of movement, a little imagination and tons of fun and excitement.
Handwriting Skills: What I Need to Know Before I can Learn to Write
Vickie Maertz OTR, OTD
This interactive workshop equips early childhood educators with the knowledge and tools to nurture the crucial pre-writing skills that pave the way for successful handwriting in young children. We’ll explore the developmental milestones and foundational abilities that lay the groundwork for confident and legible writing later on.
A Book Comes Alive! Scavenger Hunt for 2- 5 yr olds
Vickie Maertz OTR, OTD
This interactive workshop transforms story time into an exciting adventure! Learn how to create a captivating scavenger hunt based on a favorite preschool book. We’ll explore strategies for crafting simple clues, hiding objects, and engaging young children in a search-and-find activity that reinforces the book’s themes and characters.
SCRIBBLE your way to successful classroom connections, creativity, and calm-downs
Grab a crayon and “scribble” your way to meaningful art-making that promotes community, connections, calmness, and creativity in your classroom! Participants will transform “scribbling” from just fine motor development into opportunities to expand young children’s self-regulation, teamwork, and other SEL skills with intentional questioning and academic follow-ups. No art experience required!
Goldilocks Got a Problem? Yo! We’ll Solve it! A STEAM and Invention-based Activity
In this hands-on presentation participants will try out an abbreviated version of a “Novel Engineering” lesson. The picture book-based STEAM lesson encourages young students to use their imaginations and recycled materials to solve book characters’ “problems” by making inventions. This lesson promotes literacy, STEAM, collaboration, and creativity in young learners.
Why Timeout is OUT: Exploring Alternative Ways to Provide Positive Discipline in Young Children
Generational Partnerships in Early Childhood Education
Michael Gonzalez
For many years the early childhood workforce has been comprised of different generations. These generations shared similarities at times, but those times have seemingly come and gone. This informative session will discuss these generational gaps and provide new ideas based on research. Learn to develop new partnerships through collaboration with the multiple generations in the early childhood field to strengthen your practice!
Play to Learn! How Dramatic Play Can Ignite Learning in the Classroom
Emily Perez
Has learning taken a stagnant turn in your classroom? Come “play to learn” exciting and practical ways to bring learning to life again! Dramatic play is essential to success so let’s have fun! Join Emily Perez for this fun and informational training on dramatic play!
Canvas & Curriculum: Bringing Magic to Life!
Emily Perez
Discover the magic of teaching art to your little learners! Explore how to create joyful and age appropriate art experiences that spark creativity and imagination in the classroom.
Science Center on a Shoestring!
Kendolyn Cooper Pope
Is your science center stocked with a few rocks, a magnifying glass and a dead insect or two? Are you stumped about how to make your science center more inspiring and impactful? Come learn how to build your science center using 10 inexpensive and easily accessible items. Then, discover the many activities you can do with these items!
Let’s Talk! Communicating with Diverse Parents in Tough Situations
Kendolyn Cooper Pope
It all begins with respect and being sensitive to each person’s individual needs. Parents, especially the parents of young children, have needs that play into how they interact with teachers and administrators. Come to this workshop to develop a tool box of ideas for how to communicate with parents in even the most sensitive situations.
Cultivating Social and Emotional Development: Nurturing the Whole Child through Mindfulness and Meaningful Adult Interactions
Natasha Harris
This session is designed for Early Childhood educators to deepen their understanding of how to support young children’s social and emotional growth and development.
Incorporating mindfulness and reflective practice, participants will explore how adult behaviors, our tone, and being present can either de escalate or trigger children’s social-emotional responses. Teachers will gain applicable strategies and practical tools to create emotionally responsive environments that support the whole-child development. We will also discuss ways to reduce classroom behavioral challenges, and while building resilience, empathy, and emotional regulation in the students.
Bringing the Real World In: Using Everyday Objects to Enrich Early Learning
Natasha Harris
In this session, we will support early childhood educators in aligning their classroom practices by intentionally incorporating real-life objects. We will discuss implementing objects into learning centers, small group instruction, classroom displays, and independent art projects. Teachers will learn how to select, organize, and use authentic materials to promote exploration, problem-solving, and meaningful connections to children’s lives. Participants will leave this session understanding where to purchase supplies and how real objects can enhance engagement, deepen learning, and support all developmental domains.
Leading with Clarity: Conflict Resolution & Communication Skills for Early Childhood Administrators
Natasha Harris
In this session, we will support early childhood educators in aligning their classroom practices by intentionally incorporating real-life objects. We will discuss implementing objects into learning centers, small group instruction, classroom displays, and independent art projects. Teachers will learn how to select, organize, and use authentic materials to promote exploration, problem-solving, and meaningful connections to children’s lives. Participants will leave this session understanding where to purchase supplies and how real objects can enhance engagement, deepen learning, and support all developmental domains.
What’s Motivating YOU?!
Katrina Lockett-Thompson
So many times, we find ourselves in the rinse and repeat cycle in childcare. This session focuses on seven points of what motivation is, creating a positive work environment, encouraging teamwork, providing professional development, promoting work balance, effective communication, and interactive activities. It is designed to bring a different prospective to motivating your employees, creating spaces that are inviting for them to want to learn more, enhance their skills, enjoy coming to work, pouring into their students and how to create a positive classroom environment.
Igniting the Fire for Social-Emotional Learning
Corey Garza
Join veteran Child Care Regulation Program Specialist Corey Garza for a look at Social Emotional Learning and its concepts via CASEL. This will include some fun morning group activities and a few anecdotes to remind us how important these concepts are to the children we serve in our programs and how significant they are in our personal lives.
The NEW Top 10 Violations Child Care Regulation Finds When Visiting Programs and Updates from the Agency
Corey Garza
Join seasoned Child Care Regulation’s Corey Garza for a “thinking cap” session as we cover the Top Ten deficiencies for the past year for our centers, and discuss strategies to help keep our programs in compliance with standards. We will highlight the significant changes with Minimum Standards as well as share important news and information from the Child Care Regulation Department. PArticipants will have the opportunity to ask questions of Corey at the end of the session!
Recharging the Early Childhood Educator-Understanding Stress and Preventing Burnout
Delicia Parker
This training is all about helping early childhood educators tackle stress and burnout in a way that feels approachable and practical. It dives into recognizing the signs of burnout, understanding what’s really causing it, and finding meaningful ways to recharge, feel inspired again and rediscover their love for teaching.
Classroom Color Theory: How Color Affects Mood and Behavior
ReShaun Webb
From soothing blues to energizing yellows, color shapes children’s experiences more than we often realize. This session explores the psychological impact of color in early childhood classrooms. Learn how to use color intentionally to support focus, reduce anxiety, and energize play—without overstimulating your learners.
Your Program’s Culture Palette: Branding, Messaging & Family Experience
ReShaun Webb
Every childcare center paints its own picture—from the hallway displays to how families are greeted each morning. In this dynamic workshop, you’ll learn how to align your program’s branding, tone, and visual design with your mission and values to create a welcoming, authentic experience that speaks to the families you serve.
Solving the Bad Behavior Mystery
Scarlett Tandy
Unlock the mystery behind challenging behaviors in early childhood with practical tools and real-life strategies! This engaging training helps educators identify the root causes of common behaviors and respond with confidence and compassion. Learn to spot triggers, prevent meltdowns, and create a supportive environment where all children can thrive. Perfect for teachers ready to move from surviving to thriving in their classroom!
Play-Along Songs – Movement, Music and Learning to Support Standards
Georgia and Kenneth Frawley
Engaging children in a variety of really fun songs and playful activities that teach various core concepts is the ideal teaching strategy. Children can learn so much and retain so much if they are having fun while doing it – and they won’t even know it. Come Play-Along!!
Say, Sing and Sign! How ASL Combined with Music Benefits Infants and Toddlers
Georgia and Kenneth Frawley
This is truly a hands-on workshop! Attendees will be actively involved with singing and signing songs that teach important vocabulary words for infants and toddlers. In addition, we will teach how to incorporate signing into the daily routine. Children can sign before they can talk if given the opportunity.
Serve and Return Interactions and Strategies for Infants and Toddlers
Preeti Jane, Ed.D.
THis presentation explores the “Serve and Return” strategy developed by the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, a foundational approach to supporting healthy brain development in young children. The concept refers to the back-and-forth interactions between a child and a caregiver, similar to a game of tennis. When a child “serves” through gesture, sounds, or words, the adult “returns” by responding in a supportive and engaging way. Key points covered include:
- The Science Behind Serve and Return
- Five Key Steps of Serve and Return
- The Role of Caregivers
- Long-Term Benefits
Through practical examples and research insights, the presentation emphasizes the power of everyday connections in shaping a child’s future.
