Early Education (EE) Conference
September 26, 2026 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Vanguard University, Costa Mesa, CA
Registration includes a choice of lunch:
- Turkey, salami & provolone Italian sandwich
- Smoked Ham & Swiss on Ciabatta
- Taco Salad
ACSI member rate: $105 (through 9/11/26)
ACSI member rate: $135 (beginning 9/12/26)
Non-member rate: $145
The Power of Play: Sparking Wonder & Curiosity
Play is not a break from learning; it is learning! As educators, leaders, and caregivers rooted in faith, we recognize that every child is created in the image of God: curious, creative, and capable. In this uplifting session, we’ll explore the powerful role of play in nurturing the whole child, while sparking the wonder and curiosity that inspire children to explore, imagine, and learn. Through hands-on experience, reflection, and research, we’ll reconnect with the wonder of play. This keynote will reignite your passion for what truly matters: unleashing joy, creativity, and limitless potential in every child’s journey. You’ll leave inspired not only to support play for children, but to make room for more play, wonder, joy and curiosity in your own life.
Preview the breakout sessions and the full Conference Schedule.
Location
Vanguard University
Costa Mesa, CA
Sessions & Schedule
8:00 – 10:00 Opening Session - The Power of Play: Sparking Wonder & Curiosity
10:00 – 10:30 Break/Transition
10:30 – 11:30 Breakout choice
- Prioritizing Play: Exploring Ways to Support Play in Our Classrooms
- From Challenges to Connections: Supporting Student Success in the Classroom
- Inspired Learning: Innovate Kingdom Approaches to Teaching and Discovery
- Creating a Safe Haven: A Biblical Approach to Trauma-Responsive Early Childhood Education
- Kingdom Builders: Nurturing the Spiritual Development of Young Children
- Fresh From His Face: Teaching and Discipling Preschoolers Through Love, Joy and Peace
- Prayer: The Heartbeat of a Christ Centered Preschool
- More Than a Read-aloud (Part 1): The Amazing Brain
- Mini Minds Matter
- Beyond the Lesson Plan: What If We Taught Differently?
11:30 – 11:45 Break/Transition
11:45 – 12:45 Breakout choice
- Sing, Move, and Connect! Using Music to Build Language, Literacy & Social-Emotional Skills in Early Childhood
- From Challenges to Connections: Supporting Student Success in the Classroom (Repeated)
- Kingdom Imagination: Awakening the God-Given Desire for Relationship with God
- Teaching the Developing Brain: Understanding the Neurological Impact of Trauma in Early Childhood
- Family Engagement: Building Partnerships Through Relationships and Communication
- Helping Children Know God Experientially for Themselves
- Leading With Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
- More Than a Read-aloud (Part 2): Where a Book Can Lead You
- Building Blocks of Behavior and Self-Regulation
- What’s the Big Deal about Open Ended Questions?
12:45 – 1:45 Lunch
1:45 – 2:45 Breakout choice
- Biblical Integration Lab
- From Challenges to Connections: Supporting Student Success in the Classroom (Repeated)
- Sacred Spaces for Learning: Fostering Wonder, Joy, and Spiritual Growth in Young Children
- Partnering with Families: A Biblical Approach to Trauma Responsive Collaboration
- Typical, Challenging, Concerning, or Unsafe?
- Playing with God: Innovative Ways to Teach Spiritual Development to Young Children
- From Families to Partners: Creating Culturally Responsive Classrooms
- More Than a Read-aloud (Part 3): Applying Brain-based Strategies to a Book
- Music, Movement and Management
- The Architecture of Art: Process vs. Project
2:45 – 3:00 Break/Transition
3:00 – 4:00 Closing Session - Putting It All Together
Find the session descriptions on the Downloadable Schedule.
Speakers
Carly Bedard, M.A.Ed., has over 24 years' experience in Early Childhood Education. She formerly taught as a preschool teacher and served as an early childhood program director at a Christian Preschool. She is an adjunct professor at Biola University and an educational consultant providing training and coaching grounded in adult learning theory and designed to integrate research-based strategies into transformed classroom practices. Additionally, she has authored ECE courses with WestEd. Carly is a Master Play Coach with the Institute for Self-Active Education. As a passionate play advocate, she has presented the play experience to educators and families in the United States, Cambodia and India.
June Hetzel, Ph.D., is Professor Emerita and Founding Dean of the School of Education at Biola University in La Mirada, California. She has four decades of teaching and administrative experience at all levels, including teaching in public, private, and international schools. She is passionate about serving children well and especially passionate about supporting teachers in their journey with Christ. In addition to her multiple subject and reading specialist credentials, she holds a Ph.D. in Education from Claremont Graduate University and an M.S. in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot School of Theology. Her most recent books include – Biblical Integration Models for Education (Hetzel & Coddington, 2023) and How Teachers Experience God: The Spirit-led Teacher (Hetzel & Block, 2026).