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2026 Michigan AEYC Annual Early Childhood Conference on March 5-7, 2026, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and the DeVos Plaza in Grand Rapids, Michigan


Your Journey. Your Growth. Our Profession. 


Have You Heard? Sonia Manzano is coming to Grand Rapids for the 2026 Michigan AEYC Annual Early Childhood Conference! We’re thrilled to welcome Sonia Manzano — known to millions as the beloved “Maria” from Sesame Street and the creative force behind Alma’s Way on PBS KIDS — as a featured speaker at the 2026 Michigan AEYC Annual Early Childhood Conference on March 5–7, 2026, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel & DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI. Early-bird registration ends January 16, 2026 — don’t miss your chance to save your seat! Register Today: https://events.resultsathand.com/miaeyc/3468/registration/1492-Attendee-Registration

Join us for the 2026 Michigan AEYC Annual Early Childhood Conference. 

This year’s theme, Your Journey, Your Growth, Our Profession, invites you to thoughtfully connect both the personal growth of educators and the ongoing advancement of the early childhood education field. Using the NAEYC Professional Standards and Competencies can help frame our field in ways that reflect our shared values and support the journey of professionalization. Together, we can highlight how individual learning contributes to a stronger, more connected profession.

We are thrilled to announce that Sonia Manzano — known to millions as the beloved “Maria” from Sesame Street and the creator of Alma’s Way on PBS KIDS - will join us as a featured speaker at the 2026 Michigan AEYC Annual Early Childhood Conference!

The Michigan AEYC 2026 Annual Early Childhood Conference is on the horizon, and we’re excited to announce key updates!

  • Connect with early childhood professionals from across Michigan
  • Gain fresh ideas and strategies to bring back to your classroom, program, or community
  • Save money when you register early!

Learn more about the newly adopted Michigan Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators and how they help frame our field to support the journey of professionalism.

Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and lead at Michigan’s premier early childhood conference!


 2026 Annual Early Childhood Conference Registration 

Save your spot today! Be part of Michigan’s premier early childhood event—the Michigan AEYC 2026 Annual Early Childhood Conference!

Don’t wait—secure your discounted registration today and join us for an unforgettable learning experience!


 Conference Registration 

Partners, Sponsors, and Exhibitor Registration

Our partners, sponsors, and exhibitors provide unwavering support and shared belief in the power of early childhood education.  Together, we are creating brighter futures for Michigan’s children. Your support enables us to provide essential resources, professional development, and advocacy for all in the early childhood field across Michigan.


Partner, Sponsor and Exhibitor Registration

2026 Annual Early Childhood Conference Sessions- More sessions added daily!

Family Engagement
STEM at Home and Beyond: Engaging Families and Educators Together
Part 1: Initial Conversations with Parents About Autism
Part 2: How to Support Families After an Autism Diagnosis
Strengthening Learning at Home: Helping Families Turn Everyday Moments Into Learning Opportunities
The Father Factor: Reimagining the Role of Fathers in Family Engagement
Rooted in Respect: Honoring, Valuing, and Building Equitable Relationships for Success
Busting Barriers to Family Partnerships
Building Positive Relationships with Parents
Discover Your Parenting Why - Aligning Your Core Family Values With Collaborative Parenting Strategies
Engaging Children and Families through Multilingual Language Opportunities (even if you only speak English)
Resources and Strategies for Early Childhood Educators Serving Immigrant Families Amidst Evolving Political Contexts

Infant & Toddler 
Promoting Inclusive Care Practices for Infants and Toddlers
The Power of Everyday Moments: Enhancing Quality Interactions with Toddlers
Little Hands, Big Steps: Building Self-Help Skills Through Daily Routines
Tiny Hands, Big Clicks: Introducing Technology Thinking in Infant–Toddler Classrooms
Supporting Toddler Executive Function with Planning and Recall
Anti-Bias Education for Infants and Toddlers
Responsive Limit Setting in the Infant and Toddler Classroom
Early Intervention in Action: How Early On, Build Up & Help Me Grow Transform Children’s Lives
Nature Based Learning
Supporting Inclusion: Identification, Referral, and Strategies in the Classroom
Play with Purpose: Where Intentional Teaching Ignites Powerful Learning
Nurturing Development: The Power of Authentic Assessment in Early Childhood
Ride and Read: Free Resources to Strengthen Language and Literacy in Families, Schools, and Communities - An Update
Sensory Play! Why it Matters!
Eyes in the Back of my Head: Active Supervision in the Early Childhood Classroom
FOCUS SESSION: Using ACE Assessments with Infants & Toddlers
FOCUS SESSION: Together We Grow: Supporting Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities in Child Care

Preschool
Building Language-Rich Classrooms in Preschool
Brains Like Ours: Thriving as a Neurodivergent Teacher in Early Childhood
Our Youngest Citizens: Supporting Early Active Community Involvement in Preschoolers
Visible Learning in Early Childhood
Sets and Sorting: Developing Number Sense with Preschool Children
Bridging the Gap in PK-3 Curriculum and Instruction
Literacy and Beyond the Books
Strong Beginnings: New Developments and Program Variations in State Funded Preschool for three-year-old Children
Connecting the E and M in STEM: Supporting Early Mathematics through Engineering Design
Nurturing Curiosity: Building Inquiry-Based Learning in Early Childhood Classrooms
Large Motor Movements for Small Spaces
For The Love of Science
Scaffolding Children's Learning during Small Group Times
Am I Being Ableist?: Supporting Neurodivergence in the Early Childhood Classroom
Beyond ABCs & 123s: The Real Kindergarten Readiness Skills
Creating Inclusive Learning Spaces: Practical Strategies for Neurodivergent-Friendly Classrooms
Putting the FUN in Fine Motor!
Unintended Consequences: Reflecting on Commonly Accepted Practices & Considering the Negative Implications
Early Intervention in Action: How Early On, Build Up & Help Me Grow Transform Children’s Lives
Nature Based Learning
Supporting Inclusion: Identification, Referral, and Strategies in the Classroom
The Importance of Music in Early Childhood
Play with Purpose: Where Intentional Teaching Ignites Powerful Learning
Nurturing Development: The Power of Authentic Assessment in Early Childhood
Ride and Read: Free Resources to Strengthen Language and Literacy in Families, Schools, and Communities - An Update
Math Throughout the Day
Unwrapping Read Alouds
FOCUS SESSION: Empowering Growth: Inquiry-Based Coaching for Early Childhood and Pre-K Educators
FOCUS SESSION: Who Says I'm Not the Boss? The Basics of Shared Control
FOCUS SESSION: Is Nature Connectedness Right for Me?
FOCUS SESSION: Integrating Faith into Quality Early Childhood Education
FOCUS SESSION: Scaffolding Children's Learning at Small-Group Time
FOCUS SESSION: Storytelling Is Our Superpower- Using Felts, Puppets and Curriculum-rich Literature!
FOCUS SESSION: Purposeful Play: Aligning Emergent Curriculum with Early Learning Standards

School Age
Play with Purpose: Where Intentional Teaching Ignites Powerful Learning
Nurturing Development: The Power of Authentic Assessment in Early C
Sensory Play! Why it Matters!
STEAM-Based Activities for Young Ecologists
If It Walks Like A Duck And Says "I'm Bored, It's A School-Ager. How To Keep School-Agers Interested
Would You Enroll Your Own Child? Reflecting on Quality in School-Age Programs
Quality Interactions in Action: How to Promote Meaningful Engagements with School-aged Children

Social Emotional
Breaking Up with Praise: Using Encouragement to Support Children’s Developing Sense of Self
“Yes you can! With support” Encouraging autonomy without losing structure
The Language of Love & Belonging: Recognizing Children's Individual Needs for Connection
101 Ways to Calm Kids Down
Building Mentally Healthy Classrooms: Emotionally Responsive Practice, Reflection, and Collaboration
Gates and Guardrails: Empowering Children and Getting Out of The Way
Early Development and Attachment
From Feelings to Foundations: Teaching Emotional Intelligence with Inside Out
From Dysregulation to Resilience: Leading Teams to Model and Build Self-Regulation
Beyond the Behavior: Guiding Children Through Connection, Not Control
Trauma - Informed Practice for Young Learners: Teaching Strongly Yet Gently
Setting the Tone: Practical Strategies for Trauma Informed Classrooms
The Tiny Human Toolkit: Understanding and Responding to Challenging Behaviors in the Early Childhood Classroom
FOCUS SESSION: Early Childhood + Culture: Effects on Outcomes
FOCUS SESSION: The Role of Attachment and Regulation in Trauma-Informed Classroom Management
FOCUS SESSION: Trauma-Informed Classroom Management: A Practical Application of Compassion with Boundaries
FOCUS SESSION: Emotion Regulation + Modeling Mindfulness for Young Children
FOCUS SESSION: Creating Neurodivergent Friendly Classrooms- Beyond the Basics

Professionalism
Heart Work and the Tired Heart: Passion, Fatigue, and Renewal in ECE
MiRegistry: What's in the Mix for 2026?
Supporting Lesson Planning in the ECC classroom
Recharge and Refresh: Nurturing Yourself While Nurturing Others
The Tiny Human Toolkit: Understanding and Responding to Challenging Behaviors in the Early Childhood Classroom
Professionalism in Early Childhood Education: Bringing Standard 6 to Life
Using Open Communication and Problem-Solving Strategies to Support Teacher Collaboration
Doctorate in Early Childhood Education? You Can Do It, Too!
Wheels Up! Soaring Through The Clouds, Landing Back to the Basics
Cultivating Collaborative Classrooms: Building the Dream Team
Exploring Careers in Early Childhood Education
Play in Practice: How Field Placement Environments Shape Pre-Service Teachers’ Approaches to Play
Voices of Tomorrow’s Early Childhood Professionals: What Future Educators Want You to Know
Making Connection – How to be a Leader in the Classroom and Beyond
Everyday Advocacy: How Early Educators Can Shape Michigan’s Early Childhood Policies
Ethics in Practice: Understanding the newly updated NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
Celebrating Teacher Assistants
Adult Resilient and Resilient Leadership: Learn Your Strengths and Ways to Grow
Brains Like Ours: Thriving as a Neurodivergent Teacher in Early Childhood
How To Do Self-care in a Selfless Profession: Practical Ways to Minimize the Impact of burnout
Telling Our Story: Building Public Understanding and Support for Early Childhood Education
FOCUS SESSION: Ethics in Action: Implementing the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct in Your Program
FOCUS SESSION: Empowering Educators Through Apprenticeship and Mentorship
FOCUS SESSION: Become a Childhood Crusader!: Mobilizing Advocacy, Partnerships, and Play to Build Thriving Communities

Leadership
Building and Keeping a Dream Team: Recruitment, Onboarding, and Retention Strategies for Early Childhood Leaders
The Strength and Protection in Quality Improvement
"Don't Slow Your Role" - How Education Coaches Can Support Early Childhood Teachers in Their Teaching Journey
The Resistance-Proof Coach: How to Guide, Counsel, and Correct Without the Stress
Making CACFP Work: Provider Voices Leading Policy Solutions
Explore the Leader in You: The Head-Heart-Hands Approach
Leading with Heart: Transformational Leadership in Early Education
Licensing Violations: How to Fix Them and What Are Your Next Steps
Quality Staffing for Your Child Care Business
Leadership and Men in Early Childhood
Don’t Chase the Monkey: A Practical Time- and Task-Management System for Early Childhood Leaders
On Board Power
Who Coaches the Coach
Policies and Practices for Home Based Child Care Providers

Workforce Support/Coaching
"Don't Slow Your Role" - How Education Coaches Can Support Early Childhood Teachers in Their Teaching Journey
The Resistance-Proof Coach: How to Guide, Counsel, and Correct Without the Stress
Who Coaches the Coach
Using Open Communication and Problem-Solving Strategies to Support Teacher Collaboration
Adult Resilient and Resilient Leadership: Learn Your Strengths and Ways to Grow
FOCUS SESSION: Empowering Growth: Inquiry-Based Coaching for Early Childhood and Pre-K Educators