Early Childhood Institute

These are exciting times for early learning in California! To provide early learning opportunities to more 3- and 4-year-olds, the state is expanding publicly-funded transitional kindergarten and state preschool programs. As SJSU’s hub for early childhood research, training, and advocacy on campus, the Early Childhood Institute (ECI) aims to support the field so that both public and private early childhood programs are delivered using equitable, responsive, and inclusive approaches. ECI is committed to “pushing up” the best practices from the early childhood field into this changing landscape. These practices include play-based learning – a cornerstone of high-quality early childhood programming. 

Professionals working with children and students preparing for careers in early childhood have questions about changes in the early learning landscape and how these shifts are going to impact their programs, practices, and educational and career paths. 

The Early Childhood Institute 2023 Professional Meeting is designed to address these questions. Presentations and panel discussions with faculty/researchers, policymakers, and leaders from the field will engage the audience in conversations about the focus and impact of policy changes on both early learning programs and the professionals working with young children. The conference theme will be: Play-based learning in equitable, responsive, and inclusive universal preschool programs. 

Four types of sessions will be offered to meet the needs of all attendees:

1) Policy sessions will provide an overview of recently adopted policy changes and their impact on current programs for children and for students pursuing related careers.

2) Provider sessions will feature local early learning professionals sharing their use of play-based learning along with innovations they have already been making to address changes in the field. 

3) Research sessions will highlight what is known about delivering equitable, responsive, and inclusive play-based opportunities for all children. 

4) Networking/Informational sessions will showcase SJSU- and community-based programs and resources designed to support participants’ professional growth.