IPA USA 2024 RIGHT2PLAY, RIGHT NOW: Full Schedule

Welcome to the IPA USA 2024 Conference, The Right to Play, RIGHT NOW! To ensure ease in registration, here are a few tricks.

Once you have purchased your ticket for the conference, you will be directed to a Registration Form. This form is not just a document; it’s a key part of our planning process, and your participation is highly valued. Please complete it to help us track attendees for each of the special events.

If you wish to enhance your conference experience by adding a T-shirt or the Saturday Evening Celebration, you can do so by visiting this page: https://ipausa2024right2playnow.sched.com/?iframe=no

To add the T-shirt or the Saturday Evening Celebration to your registration, click on the ’Reserve Tickets’ button and select the option/s you want to add on.

If you want to attend the Pre-Conference, please follow the link below to register.

PreConference Session – Wednesday, September 25 – 9:30-2:30 pm
Connecting Children with Nature: A Practical Workshop for Educators
Follow this link to register for the preconference——https://events.humanitix.com/connecting-children-workshop

Looking forward to seeing you in Greenville, SC

Deb, President, IPA USA

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9:30am EDT

Because Kindergarten Shouldn't Be All Work and No Play

Thursday September 26, 2024 9:30am - 10:30am EDT

Library C 25 Heritage Green Pl, Greenville, SC 29601

To focus on child outputs for collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking, one kindergarten's early literacy strategy powerfully positions children as authors and actors to perform their original plays as a response to literature. This is a photo-rich case study of an Emergent Curriculum reflecting Play Pedagogy within a Whole Child Approach to Education demonstrating that developmentally effective practice can well meet state educational guidelines and standards.

Presenters

Cornelia McKeehan

Kindergarten Teacher, Vanderbilt University: The Acorn School/Kindergarten

Master Degree in Educational Psychology, University of Colorado, Denver. Teacher in play based preschool and kindergarten in Denver, Colorado for 12 years. Currently serve as lead teacher for Owls Kindergarten Program at Vanderbilt University. We follow a Reggio inspired emergent... Read More →

Bryan O'Callahan

Kindergarten Teacher, Vanderbilt University: The Acorn/Kindergarten

Kathleen Seabolt

Vanderbilt University

Kathleen Seabolt, Ed.D. is executive director for the Child and Family Center at Vanderbilt University, an Associate to the Tennessee Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF), and serves on the Policy committee for Raising Readers Nashville a collective impact framework of community... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Library C 25 Heritage Green Pl, Greenville, SC 29601

Session

10:45am EDT

Cardboard Creations & Playful Solutions: Connecting Creativity and Play in Children and Ourselves

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am EDT

Library C 25 Heritage Green Pl, Greenville, SC 29601

This interactive workshop explores the powerful link between play and creativity, focusing on how to nurture young problem-solvers. We'll delve into the importance of fostering our own creativity as adults and discover how this translates into supporting children's creative journeys. We'll explore strategies and activities that use play as a springboard for imagination and creative thinking.

Presenters

Kim Adams

Today We Play - Barron Park Preschool

Kim Adams is a passionate advocate for play. With over 35 years of experience leading and teaching in early learning environments, Kim offers a deep understanding of child development and the transformative power of play and creativity. A certified Positive Discipline educator and... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Library C 25 Heritage Green Pl, Greenville, SC 29601

Session

1:15pm EDT

"Childhood: What's the Rush?"

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

Library C 25 Heritage Green Pl, Greenville, SC 29601

If we measured our lifespan on a ruler, childhood would be about an inch. Why are we rushing these tiny humans through this joyful and magical time? In this session, we will share the power (and the research) to push back on the academic push down that is ruining childhood.

Presenters

Two Pushy Dames

Kathy Gallo has worked in the Early Childhood Education field for nearly 40 years, including Head Start, private child care and family child care settings. Kathy has a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and teaches a variety of courses in ECE at both a community college... Read More →

Leann Soucy

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Library C 25 Heritage Green Pl, Greenville, SC 29601

Session

2:30pm EDT

Embracing the Benefits

Thursday September 26, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Library C 25 Heritage Green Pl, Greenville, SC 29601

Play is absolutely the way...outdoor Play is the secret weapon. For many people outdoor play is easily sold on a sunny day. Seeing children in the rain can be for many viewed as a negative thing. This session looks to give an introduction into the various ways that outdoor play holistically supports the development of children-and has benefits for us all as humans-in all weathers. In a world where children are inundated by technology, wrapped in cotton wool, and trusted less and less to play outside we know that they are suffering. Outdoor play can lead to more settled children, increased creativity, better problem solving, happier children!.....and so much more. The session will set out the arguments, highlight places that participants can look for further reading/learning, and ultimately take participants outside to engage them with some activities that back up the points made. With the hope that they can start to understand for themselves that "there is no bad weather only bad clothing" is more than just a catchy phrase.

Presenters

Cameron Sprague

Co-Head of Nursery/Head of Training, Stramash Social Enterprise , United Kingdom

Cameron emigrated to the U.K. following completing his BSc in Outdoor and Environmental Education in 2007 from Northern Vermont University. Cameron worked at the Child Development Centre on campus throughout his studies and this led him taking his outdoor learning foundation to the... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Library C 25 Heritage Green Pl, Greenville, SC 29601

Session

3:45pm EDT

POP! Developing a Systems Approach to Pup-Up Play Days: Building Community Momentum

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT

Library C 25 Heritage Green Pl, Greenville, SC 29601

"Imagine a city that put children and kids first by providing the environment, policies, and systems that allowed children to play outside? Pop up play days are an incredible mechanism to build community momentum to advance systems change that support a child’s right to play. Join members of the Healthi Kids Coalition as we share our work to advance play equity and a systems approach to pop up play days in Rochester, NY. Learn about our model and participate in an active workshop to replicate grassroots momentum for play in your own community.
"

Presenters

Jesse Knoth

As the PlayROCs Project Coordinator for the Healthi Kids Coalition, an initiative of Common Ground Health, Jesse Knoth develops strategies and tactics that advance play as a cornerstone of whole child health in neighborhoods. A nonprofit professional with over 15 years of experience... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
Library C 25 Heritage Green Pl, Greenville, SC 29601

Session

IPA USA 2024 RIGHT2PLAY, RIGHT NOW

From $20.00