Presenting "Thinking For Tomorrow" Critical thinking as a path to peace in early learning

Name: Presenting "Thinking For Tomorrow" Critical thinking as a path to peace in early learning
Start: 2026-03-12T16:15:00-04:00
End: 2026-03-12T17:15:00-04:00
Location: Hampton Roads Convention Center

Schedule

Thu Mar 12 2026 at 04:15 pm to 05:15 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Hampton Roads Convention Center | Hampton, VA

Thinking for Tomorrow: Critical Thinking as a Path to Peace in Early Learning
Join me for an engaging and reflective professional session designed specifically for early childhood educators.
For over 23 years, I have witnessed something powerful: critical thinking does not begin in elementary school — it begins in infancy. When we intentionally nurture curiosity, fairness, and reflection in children ages birth to five, we are not simply strengthening cognition. We are shaping empathy.
In this interactive workshop, we will explore how critical thinking becomes “empathy in motion.” Together, we will examine developmentally appropriate strategies that can be embedded into everyday routines, play, storytelling, and conflict resolution.
Drawing from my forthcoming book Planting Seeds of Peace and grounded in research-informed practice, this session integrates:
• Empathy-focused learning
• Culturally responsive practices
• Social-emotional development
• Reflective teaching strategies
Participants will:
✔ Define critical thinking in early childhood
✔ Identify its developmental foundations from birth to age five
✔ Learn practical strategies to strengthen inquiry and reasoning
✔ Reflect on how cultural awareness supports children’s decision-making
✔ Develop a personal action plan for their classroom
This session is not about adding more to your plate. It is about refining what you already do — and doing it with deeper intention.
When we give children time to think, we teach them how to care.
I look forward to sharing, reflecting, and growing together as educators committed to preparing thoughtful, compassionate problem-solvers for tomorrow.
Location: Hampton Roads Convention Center
📅 March 12th, 13th & 14th, 2026
🎟️ Register Now: https://vaaeyc.org/events/annual-conference/registration/