Early Childhood Investigations

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Early Childhood Investigations is your gateway to inspiring, research-based professional development. Since 2009, our free webinar series has brought together authors, researchers, and leaders in early care and education to share timely insights and spark meaningful conversations across the workforce. We believe high-quality professional development should be accessible, practical, and immediately useful. ECI is a movement that empowers directors, administrators, and teachers to elevate their practice and strengthen outcomes for children and families. https://ecewebinars.com/spotify

  1. 2d ago

    Educators as sheriffs or allies? Rethinking our relationships with preschool-aged children by Noah Hichenberg, Ed.D

    RESOURCES Watch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareTrusting children is hard. Really, really hard. We generally lack the language, attitudes, and habits for it. As preschool teachers and parents of young children, we are accustomed – we are trained and expected – to maintain control over a child’s actions. As an educator, Noah Hichenberg, author of A New Vision for Early Childhood: Rethinking our Relationships with Young Children worked his entire career in preschool classrooms – on building a stance of trust, rather than control, towards children. This session will cover the core elements of his approach to reshaping our relationships with young children. A key theme in the webinar will focus on how adults turn into “sheriffs” when we are stuck in a control-oriented relationship with children, always looking to catch them doing the wrong thing and reminding them to do the right thing instead. When we play the role of sheriff, our children’s constant resistance turns them into outlaws. Join is paradigm-shifting webinar to learn how we can work on being an ally instead of a sheriff, supporting children instead of correcting them. When we can become allies instead of sheriffs, there are no outlaws, only collaborators. As in the book, the webinar will offer a concise, critical social construction of childhood. You will learn how requiring groups of toddlers and preschool children to do the same thing, at the same time and the constant presence of adult control shapes early childhood today. Noah will also explain how children retain the power of individual agency to push back against adults’ expectations and control. For children in today’s hyper-surveilled childhood to speak up is often considered to be resistance and defiance. Teachers frequently see expression of individual agency as an act of subversion. Noah will share his thoughts about how to reframe children’s resistance as their agency. In this thought-provoking presentation you will: Identify moments of adult control Learn how to become an ally to children Explore why children are hyper-surveilled today Plan to make changes to your practices

  2. 3d ago

    Preschoolers and Pixels by Amy Reyes-Hauff, CDHP

    RESOURCES Watch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareWhat happens when the devices children rely on most begin to shape how they connect, regulate, and learn? In this timely session, together we’ll explore how excessive screen use can affect pre-K children’s social-emotional development, peer relationships, transitions, and engagement in the classroom. Amy Reyes-Hauff, CDHP, State Early Learning and Literacy Specialist with the Wyoming Department of Education, will bring a thoughtful, experience-backed perspective to this growing challenge facing educators and families alike. You’ll examine the behavioral signs that may point to unhealthy digital dependence and discover practical, developmentally appropriate strategies to help children reconnect with active play, real-world interaction, and screen-free learning. We’ll also explore how to build supportive partnerships with families around digital habits at home in ways that feel encouraging, constructive, and grounded in children’s well-being. By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to: Define device addiction and its impact on the developmental milestones of pre-K children. Identify behavioral red flags, such as decreased peer engagement and difficulty transitioning to non-digital activities. Examine the connection between excessive screen time and delays in social-emotional development. Implement evidence-based strategies to support active play and create a more screen-free classroom environment. Develop a communication framework for partnering with families around digital consumption at home.

  3. Oct 21

    From First Tour to Long-Term Loyalty: Designing the Family & Staff Lifecycle Journey by Melissa Blotter

    RESOURCES Watch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Retention doesn’t begin when someone is thinking about leaving; it begins the very first time they experience your organization. From the first tour to long-term relationships, every interaction a family or staff member has with your program shapes how they feel, what they believe, and ultimately, whether they stay. In this session, you’ll explore how to intentionally design the full lifecycle experience for both families and staff through the lens of everyday leadership moments. You’ll learn why retention is not driven by policies or programs alone, but by the patterns of interaction that happen across five critical stages of the journey. Using a practical and relatable framework, you’ll identify the “moments that matter” within each stage and uncover how small, consistent actions build trust, connection, and loyalty over time. You’ll also learn how to apply the 5:1 interaction principle to strengthen relationships, increase psychological safety, and create experiences people want to stay connected to. Because retention isn’t a single moment. It’s a journey you design, one interaction at a time. Learning Objectives Participants will be able to: Identify the five key stages of the family and staff lifecycle and the critical “moments that matter” within each stage. Apply the 5:1 interaction principle to strengthen relationships and build trust across the lifecycle experience. Recognize how everyday leadership behaviors influence retention, engagement, and overall experience. Design simple, intentional connection strategies that improve both staff satisfaction and family loyalty. Evaluate current practices to identify missed opportunities and strengthen retention through consistent interactions.

  4. Oct 20

    Website-First Marketing: The Simple Marketing System Every ECE Program Needs to Grow Online by Chelsea Denny

    RESOURCES Watch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software You’ve worked hard to build a strong program, but getting the right families to find you and take the next step can still feel overwhelming. If your marketing feels inconsistent, time-consuming, or unclear, you’re not alone. Many child care owners know they need a stronger online presence, but aren’t sure how to turn their website and marketing efforts into a system that actually supports enrollment. In this practical, tech-friendly session, Chelsea, a professional web designer, will walk you through a simple five-step marketing system designed to help child care businesses market with more clarity and confidence. With your website at the center, you’ll explore how to create a digital home that builds trust with families, supports your enrollment goals, and connects strategically to tools like email marketing, lead magnets, and content. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to build a marketing foundation that works together, so they can spend less time guessing and more time using simple, intentional strategies to grow visibility, increase inquiries, and strengthen their business. Learning Objectives Identify five key components of a digital marketing system that can help child care programs increase visibility and attract prospective families. Develop a simple marketing plan that uses a website, email, and content strategically to support enrollment and business growth. Compare digital marketing tools and strategies to determine which options best fit their program’s goals, capacity, and audience.

  5. Oct 14

    From Reactivity to Regulation: A 3-Layer Framework for Emotionally Responsive Classrooms by Dr. Yehudis Smith

    RESOURCES Watch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Every classroom moment carries emotional weight. When a child melts down, refuses, pushes, cries, or shuts down, it’s easy to focus on compliance or quick fixes. But what if behavior is not a discipline problem, but a stress signal? In this dynamic and practical session, you will learn how to shift from reacting to behavior to responding with clarity, steadiness, and intention. Emotionally Responsive Practice (ERP) offers a research-informed, classroom-ready framework that helps you understand behavior through a nervous system lens—both in children and in yourself. You will explore how your own regulation shapes the emotional climate of your classroom and why your presence is often more powerful than your words. You will walk away with a clear three-layer strategy model that moves beyond “What do I say?” and into sustainable practice: Proactive Layer: How you design environments, routines, and expectations to reduce stress before it escalates. In-the-Moment Layer: How you regulate yourself and respond effectively during dysregulated moments. Reflective Layer: How you process challenging situations to support long-term growth and prevent recurring patterns. Rather than offering surface-level behavior tips, this session strengthens your capacity so your responses feel grounded, confident, and developmentally aligned. You will leave with practical tools you can use immediately—and a deeper understanding of how connection and regulation transform classroom culture. Learning Objectives By the end of this session, you will be able to: Understand behavior through a nervous system and stress lens rather than a compliance lens. Recognize your personal stress signatures and how they show up in classroom interactions. Apply the three-layer ERP strategy model (proactive, in-the-moment, reflective) to real classroom scenarios. Use practical regulation tools that can be implemented immediately. Shift from managing behavior to guiding children with connection and clarity.

  6. Oct 13

    Play Under Pressure: How thinking like a play scientist turns pressure into playful possibilities by Juelie Perry-Schwartz, M.S.

    RESOURCES Watch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareWhat if the daily pressures you feel in early childhood education are not a signal to do more, but an invitation to examine the conditions more closely? In this interactive, research-informed webinar, you will step into the role of a “Play Scientist” and test a powerful hypothesis: when pressure increases and play decreases, learning, connection, and well-being are compromised. Through real-world insights, reflective play experiences, and brain-based research, you will explore how the current demands of the field—including compliance, documentation, challenging behaviors, and limited time—are influencing educator well-being, nurturing relationships, and children’s outcomes. Using research and practical data points, this session will examine how stress increases cortisol, reduces patience, and disrupts connection, while play boosts dopamine, supports motivation, deepens engagement, and strengthens learning. Rather than adding more strategies to your already-full workload, this session invites you to challenge your thinking in order to change your practice. You will discover how small, intentional moments of play can restore engagement, support regulation, and transform classroom dynamics without requiring extra time or additional resources. The conclusion is clear: play is not an extra; it is essential. You’ll leave with a renewed perspective and practical strategies to play smarter, not harder, boost your impact, and reconnect with the joy and purpose of your work. Learning Objectives Participants will be able to: Examine how current pressures in early childhood education, including compliance, documentation, challenging behaviors, and limited time, affect educator well-being, relationships, and child outcomes. Describe how stress and play influence the brain, including the impact of cortisol on patience and connection and the role of dopamine in motivation, engagement, and learning. Recognize how decreases in play can compromise regulation, connection, and deeper learning for both educators and children. Identify small, intentional moments of play that can be embedded into daily routines without requiring additional time, materials, or resources. Apply practical “play smarter, not harder” strategies to support engagement, regulation, classroom connection, and educator joy.

  7. Oct 8

    When Behavior Doesn’t Make Sense: A New Way to Respond by Alyssa Blask Campbell

    RESOURCES Watch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software You’ve said it before: “They’re not listening.” “They’re overreacting.” “They know better than this.” And yet, the behavior keeps showing up. What if the behavior is not about defiance or choice at all, but about a nervous system that needs something different than what we are offering? In this session, you’ll learn how to differentiate between sensory-driven and emotionally driven behavior so you can respond in ways that support regulation instead of escalating the moment. We’ll walk through the nine sensory systems and explore how they show up in the classroom, often in ways that are misunderstood or mislabeled. You’ll begin to recognize the patterns beneath the behavior and better understand what a child’s nervous system may be communicating in real time. From there, we’ll shift into practical, in-the-moment strategies you can use right away to support regulation, connection, and learning. This work is not just about children. As educators, your own nervous system plays a critical role in how you respond, teach, and connect. You’ll leave with tools to support not only your students, but also yourself and your team, helping the classroom feel more manageable, connected, and sustainable. Learning Objectives Participants will be able to: Differentiate between sensory regulation needs and emotional regulation needs in real classroom moments. Recognize how the nine sensory systems influence behavior in children and adults. Identify behavioral patterns that may point to underlying nervous system needs. Use practical, in-the-moment strategies to support regulation, strengthen connection, and reduce escalation. Reflect on how their own nervous system shapes their responses to children, colleagues, and classroom stressors.

  8. Sep 29

    The Cost of Starting Over A Financial Framework for Hiring, Developing, and Keeping the Team Your Program Needs by Kate Woodward Young, M.Ed. and Carrie Casey

    RESOURCES Watch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Every time a staff member leaves, your program starts paying — long before you post the job opening. The obvious costs are easy to see: advertising, background checks, onboarding, training hours, and classroom coverage. The real cost reaches much further. Turnover can mean overtime, leadership time pulled away from enrollment and operations, stressed classrooms, lost family confidence, delayed growth, and months of reduced productivity while a new hire gets up to speed. So the question becomes: do you track it? Join Kate Woodward Young and Carrie Casey for a session that helps child care leaders view staffing decisions through a business lens. Kate and Carrie will break down the financial impact of hiring, training, developing, and retaining staff — including the often-overlooked cost of director turnover and the time it takes a new leader to bring a program back to full strength. Participants will explore how to make smarter decisions about raises, performance bonuses, credentialing, onboarding, and staff development. Rather than asking only, "Can we afford to invest in our team?" this session asks the more important question: "What is it costing us when we do not?" Leaders will leave able to put real numbers to the cost of turnover, weigh a retention investment against the cost of replacing an employee, and build a clearer financial case for keeping the right people. Learning Objectives By the end of this 90-minute webinar, participants will be able to: Calculate the total cost of replacing one staff member, including direct hiring expenses and indirect costs such as overtime, classroom coverage, and lost productivity. Identify the hidden costs of director and leadership turnover, including the time required for a new leader to return a program to full strength. Compare the cost of a retention investment — such as a raise, performance bonus, or credentialing support — against the cost of replacing that employee. Formulate a financial case for a specific staff investment decision using program-level turnover and time-to-productivity data.

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Early Childhood Investigations is your gateway to inspiring, research-based professional development. Since 2009, our free webinar series has brought together authors, researchers, and leaders in early care and education to share timely insights and spark meaningful conversations across the workforce. We believe high-quality professional development should be accessible, practical, and immediately useful. ECI is a movement that empowers directors, administrators, and teachers to elevate their practice and strengthen outcomes for children and families. https://ecewebinars.com/spotify

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