{"id":1496,"date":"2025-12-04T20:39:56","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T20:39:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/early-learning-development-center\/?page_id=1496"},"modified":"2026-04-23T15:51:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T15:51:14","slug":"innovations-conference","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/early-learning-development-center\/innovations-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovations Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 style=\"text-align: center\">Early Childhood Innovations Conference<\/h1>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center\">Saturday, April 18th | 9:00 &#8211; 4:30 pm<\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center\">DuBois Ballroom<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center\">Thank you participants for a wonderful conference experience! We will see you in the spring for our next conference!<\/h1>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1501\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2025\/12\/4839_eldc_class_20230522-small-960x384.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"895\" height=\"358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2025\/12\/4839_eldc_class_20230522-small-960x384.jpg 960w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2025\/12\/4839_eldc_class_20230522-small-465x186.jpg 465w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 895px) 100vw, 895px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">The Early Learning and Development Center is pleased to host the annual Early Childhood Innovations Conference at NAU.\u00a0 Meet with experts and fellow educators to learn about innovative practices for young children.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Parking, lunch, and resources are provided for all participants!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\">Keynote Speaker: Dr. Marti Canipe<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1553 size-square-image\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/9894_marti_canipe_20211001-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"A female with glasses, Dr. Canipe, holding out a rubber band rocket, pretending to shoot it at the camera.\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/9894_marti_canipe_20211001-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/9894_marti_canipe_20211001-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/9894_marti_canipe_20211001-600x600.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\">Ooh, Aah, and A-ha!<\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\">Why Wonder and joy Matter in Science<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW148456412 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW148456412 BCX8\">Remember wondering why the sky is blue or why puddles disappear? That curiosity is your superpower!\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW148456412 BCX8\">Let\u2019s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW148456412 BCX8\">\u00a0talk about why genuine wonder and joy are essential to inspiring young scientists. Discover how playful questioning and authentic delight transform science from a subject into an adventure. Your wonder is contagious\u2014<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW148456412 BCX8\">let&#8217;s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW148456412 BCX8\">\u00a0reclaim it together!<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW148456412 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Conference At-A-Glance_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-1-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-1-panel\">\n            Conference At-A-Glance\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-1-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-1-trigger\" inert>\n        <html><body>\n<p>Ongoing: ELDC tours<\/p>\n<p>8:00-9:00: Registration; exhibitor tables open, coffee and pastry service<\/p>\n<p>9:00-9:15: Welcome and opening remarks<\/p>\n<p>9:15-10:15: Keynote speaker: Dr. Victoria Damjanovic, <em>Children as Researchers<\/em><\/p>\n<p>10:15-10:30: break<\/p>\n<p>10:30-12:00: Breakout sessions<\/p>\n<p>12:00-1:00: lunch, Dub Dining District<\/p>\n<p>1:00-1:45: Community Caf<span class=\"TextRun SCXW57663697 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW57663697 BCX8\">\u00e9<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>1:45-2:00: break<\/p>\n<p>2:00-3:30: Breakout sessions<\/p>\n<p>3:30-4:15: Closing session<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Registration_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-2-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-2-panel\">\n            Registration\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-2-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-2-trigger\" inert>\n        <html><body>\n<p>Please check back for information about our 2027 conference.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"ELDC Program Tours and Literacy Giveaways_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-3-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-3-panel\">\n            ELDC Program Tours and Literacy Giveaways\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-3-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-3-trigger\" inert>\n        <html><body>\n<p>The Early Learning and Development Center is an innovative lab school focused on cultivating life-long learners through high-quality, inclusive education. We exemplify an inquiry approach to teaching and learning, improving early childhood pedagogy through education, research, and community engagement.<\/p>\n<p>All registered participants are welcome to tour our Reggio-inspired classrooms.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Presenters and Sessions_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-4-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-4-panel\">\n            Presenters and Sessions\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-4-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-4-trigger\" inert>\n        <html><body>\n<h4><strong>AM sessions:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong>What Happens When Children Hold the Camera? Documenting Learning Through Child-Led Media<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Dr. Catharyn Shelton, Associate Professor, Department of Educational Specialties at Northern Arizona University<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In this session, you\u2019ll see how children can take photos and videos to make their learning visible. You\u2019ll learn easy, practical ways to use tablet apps with preschoolers to show, reflect, and share their learning and ideas.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW131767412 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW131767412 BCX8\">The Big Five Classroom Practices<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><span class=\"TextRun SCXW1759427 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW1759427 BCX8\">Korina Callahan\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW1759427 BCX8\">M.Ed<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW1759427 BCX8\">, BCBA, LBA, CEO\/Founder\u202f<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW1759427 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> of Kaibab Behavior Services and Rising Mountain Academy<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW254272504 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW254272504 BCX8\">Challenging behavior <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW254272504 BCX8\">doesn\u2019t<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW254272504 BCX8\">\u00a0happen in isolation\u2014and it\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW254272504 BCX8\">doesn\u2019t<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW254272504 BCX8\">\u00a0have to be addressed reactively.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW254272504 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW254272504 BCX8\">The Big Five Classroom Practices<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW254272504 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW254272504 BCX8\">\u00a0training focuses on prevention-based strategies that build strong relationships, increase predictability, and teach social-emotional skills intentionally. Through hands-on examples and practical tools, educators learn how small, consistent practices can lead to calmer classrooms, stronger connections, and better outcomes for all children.\u202f<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Supporting Families from Indigenous Communities<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Linda Begaye, Co-Teacher at the Early Learning and Development Center, Northern Arizona University<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Families have a variety of perspectives on school and childcare.\u00a0 Among those perspectives, indigenous families face additional systematic challenges.\u00a0 Providing early learning to indigenous families requires a culturally responsive approach to ensure that children feel represented in a meaningful way.\u00a0 Hear about approaches to building reciprocal relationships with families and children to provide a foundation for creating a respectful and inclusive learning environment.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h4><strong>PM sessions:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong>How to Project Approach with EVERY Student\u202f\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Jolene\u00a0K.\u00a0Chavez, NBCT, M.Ed. Early Childhood Special Education\u00a0Mentor Teacher, ELDC\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Does \u201cProject Approach\u201d seem like the newest Early Childhood catch phrase? Do you believe that you\u202fcan\u2019t\u202fpossibly do\u202fproject work in your classroom because you have standards and expectations\u202fthat must be met? How can you\u202fpossibly do\u202fa project when you have so many challenging behaviors to handle?\u202fYou\u2019re\u202fnot the only Early Childhood\u202feducator who has felt this way. This session will answer these questions and\u202fprovide\u202freal examples of how EVERY student can be successful using the Project Approach. We will discuss that the unique needs of our young learners\u202fshouldn\u2019t\u202fbe\u202fa reason why\u202fwe\u202fcan\u2019t\u202fdo project work, but why we absolutely should. You may\u202feven\u202frealize,\u202fthat project work will decrease challenging behaviors and increase engagement. Come along with us on a Project Approach Journey and\u202fexperience the joyful learning that comes with project work!\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Beyond the Worksheet: Turning Standards into Open-Ended Provocations\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Brena Kee, M.Ed. Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education,\u00a0Mentor Teacher, ELDC\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Worksheets are a familiar resource many educators use to highlight learning\u00a0goals\u00a0and a primary tool used in many classroom settings to document, assess and connect to learning standards. But what happens if we look beyond the page and bring the same goals into play?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This session invites educators to re-envision worksheets by uncovering the learning standards hidden within worksheets and redesigning them into open-ended, play-based explorations. Come explore how you can use the same goals to extend your activities to invite creativity, collaboration, build social\/emotional\u00a0skills\u00a0and create authentic data for documentation through playful, inquiry-driven experiences. Participants will explore how play can serve as an authentic form of assessment while supporting diverse learners, languages, cultures, and developmental pathways. Through hands-on examples and collaborative reflection, educators will leave with practical strategies and at least one provocation ready to implement in their own classroom.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Please\u00a0Don\u2019t\u00a0Say I\u00a0Can\u2019t: Rethinking Toddler Learning<\/strong><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Carmen Xitlally Arciniega Avila, M.Ed. Bilingual and Multicultural Education and Early Childhood Education,\u00a0Mentor Teacher, ELDC\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>I like the\u00a0materials that\u00a0are presented, but my toddler\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0play with that.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0not safe.<\/p>\n<p>It\u00a0get\u2019s\u00a0too messy and I try to avoid it.<\/p>\n<p>I\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0know how to present materials to\u00a0a young age\u00a0group.<\/p>\n<p>Yeah,\u00a0but\u2026<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Toddlers are often underestimated because their abilities are subtle, emerging, and expressed differently from older children. Yet, between ages one and three, toddlers and older toddlers demonstrate remarkable capacities for problem-solving, communication, and cognitive development. <span class=\"TextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">They\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">observe<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">\u00a0patterns, test\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">hypotheses<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">\u00a0through play, and use gestures, sounds, and early words to convey complex ideas. Toddlers are deeply motivated le<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">arners who: persist through trial and errors, imitate adults and peers, and actively\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">seek<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">\u00a0meaning\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">in their environments.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">Recognizing<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">\u00a0these\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">competences<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">\u00a0shifts early learning\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">toward investing in nurturing curiosity, agency, and relationships<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">; F<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">oundations<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">that<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW52298137 BCX8\">\u00a0support lifelong learning.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW52298137 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Community Caf\u00e9_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-5-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-5-panel\">\n            Community Caf\u00e9\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-5-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-5-trigger\" inert>\n        <html><body>\n<p>A community cafe brings people together through meaningful dialogue.\u00a0 Unlike traditional professional development, cafes are peer-to-peer learning spaces where educators share experiences, learn from each other\u2019s wisdom, and build community.<\/p>\n<p>Cafe topics include:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Teacher Wellbeing and Retention<\/li>\n<li>Challenging Behaviors<\/li>\n<li>Social Emotional Development<\/li>\n<li>Family Engagement and partnerships<\/li>\n<li>Inclusive Practices and Special Needs<\/li>\n<li>Trauma-Informed Care<\/li>\n<li>Curriculum and Assessment<\/li>\n<li>Dual Language Learners<\/li>\n<li>Gender, Race, and Taboo Conversations<\/li>\n<li>Technology in Early Childhood<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Community cafes create space to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Be seen and heard by people who understanding<\/li>\n<li>Learning that you\u2019re not alone in your struggles<\/li>\n<li>Build supportive relationships that sustain you<\/li>\n<li>Access collective wisdom you can\u2019t find in books<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>This is how we strengthen our field-together.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\">Closing Session: Rebecca Cirzan, M.Ed.<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1601 size-uncropped-small\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/04\/headshot2-198x300.jpg\" alt=\"A black and white photo of a female wearing black, sitting cross legged in a rocking chair.\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/04\/headshot2-198x300.jpg 198w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/04\/headshot2-677x1024.jpg 677w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/04\/headshot2-768x1162.jpg 768w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/04\/headshot2-1015x1536.jpg 1015w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/04\/headshot2-1354x2048.jpg 1354w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/04\/headshot2-397x600.jpg 397w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/04\/headshot2-scaled.jpg 1692w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\">Embrace the Story<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Reading and storytelling have a remarkable ability to connect us.\u00a0 young children thrive on the sense of closeness, community, and imaginative language that emerges during family and classroom read-alouds.\u00a0 Close your day out by hearing directly from our young learners as they explore new ways to use read-aloud experiences to represent, recreate, and share their understanding.\u00a0 Then, you&#8217;ll jump in yourself for a lively group read-aloud &#8211; complete with props generously provided by our Gold sponsor, Lakeshore Learning.<\/p>\n<div class='shortcode-column-container'><!-- shortcode-column -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-column shortcode-column--count-2\">\n    <!-- shortcode-image-caption -->\n<span class=\"shortcode-image-caption shortcode-image-caption--center\">\n        <span class=\"shortcode-image-caption__container\">\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1511 size-square-image\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2025\/12\/Media-13-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"A table displaying two books about robots, with three small remote cars and colored platforms.\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2025\/12\/Media-13-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2025\/12\/Media-13-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2025\/12\/Media-13-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2025\/12\/Media-13-400x400.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n    <\/span>\n    <\/span>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- shortcode-column -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-column shortcode-column--count-2\">\n    <!-- shortcode-image-caption -->\n<span class=\"shortcode-image-caption shortcode-image-caption--center\">\n        <span class=\"shortcode-image-caption__container\">\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-square-image wp-image-1513 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2025\/12\/Media-6-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Four women sitting at a table playing with robot cars and color mats. One lady is pointing to the car to facilitate engagement from the others.\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2025\/12\/Media-6-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2025\/12\/Media-6-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2025\/12\/Media-6-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2025\/12\/Media-6-400x400.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n    <\/span>\n    <\/span>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\">Thank you to our sponsors:<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1574\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/TS_Logo_K-464x116.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/TS_Logo_K-464x116.png 464w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/TS_Logo_K-960x240.png 960w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/TS_Logo_K-1440x360.png 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1573\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/LakeshoreLogo-red-bigger-1-1-464x116.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"420\" height=\"105\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/LakeshoreLogo-red-bigger-1-1-464x116.jpg 464w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/LakeshoreLogo-red-bigger-1-1-300x74.jpg 300w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/LakeshoreLogo-red-bigger-1-1-1024x254.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/LakeshoreLogo-red-bigger-1-1-768x190.jpg 768w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/LakeshoreLogo-red-bigger-1-1-960x240.jpg 960w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/LakeshoreLogo-red-bigger-1-1-1440x360.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/LakeshoreLogo-red-bigger-1-1-600x149.jpg 600w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/LakeshoreLogo-red-bigger-1-1.jpg 1486w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-short-banner-image-sm wp-image-1589 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/KELC_Full_CMYK_Print-464x116.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"464\" height=\"116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/KELC_Full_CMYK_Print-464x116.jpg 464w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/KELC_Full_CMYK_Print-960x240.jpg 960w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/KELC_Full_CMYK_Print-1440x360.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 464px) 100vw, 464px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1576 size-uncropped-small\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/Picture1-300x107.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/Picture1-300x107.jpg 300w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/Picture1.jpg 376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-short-banner-image-sm wp-image-1577\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/ccrr_logo_web-e1774284172170-224x116.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"224\" height=\"116\" \/><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1591 \" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/AzAEYC-Logo-V-Full-Name-600x208.png\" alt=\"AZAEYC logo (Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children)\" width=\"262\" height=\"91\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/AzAEYC-Logo-V-Full-Name-600x208.png 600w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/AzAEYC-Logo-V-Full-Name-300x104.png 300w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/266\/2026\/03\/AzAEYC-Logo-V-Full-Name.png 753w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 262px) 100vw, 262px\" \/><\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- shortcode-right-column -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-right-column\" >\n    <div class=\"shortcode-right-column__container\">\n<!-- shortcode-contact -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-contact\">\n    <div class=\"contact-header\">\n        <h3>Contact the Early Learning and Development Center<\/h3>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"contact-body\">\n                <a href=\"mailto:eldc@nau.edu\" aria-label=\"Contact the Early Learning and Development Center: Email Address\" title=\"Email Address\">\n            <div class=\"contact-icon-container\">\n                <i class=\"fas fa-envelope\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <span class=\"sr-only\">Email:<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"contact-email\">eldc&#8203;@nau.edu<\/div>\n        <\/a>\n                        <a href=\"tel:928-523-2659\" aria-label=\"Contact the Early Learning and Development Center: Telephone Number\" title=\"Telephone Number\">\n            <div class=\"contact-icon-container\">\n                <i class=\"fas fa-phone\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <span class=\"sr-only\">Call:<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"contact-phone\">928-523-2659<\/div>\n        <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Early Childhood Innovations Conference Saturday, April 18th | 9:00 &#8211; 4:30 pm DuBois Ballroom &nbsp; Thank you participants for a wonderful conference experience! We will see you in the spring for our next conference! The Early Learning and Development Center is pleased to host the annual Early Childhood Innovations Conference at NAU.\u00a0 Meet with experts [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2872,"featured_media":1294,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ring_central_script_selection":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1496","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/early-learning-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1496","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/early-learning-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/early-learning-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/early-learning-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2872"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/early-learning-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1496"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/early-learning-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1496\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1610,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/early-learning-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1496\/revisions\/1610"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/early-learning-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/early-learning-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}