The developmental experience of early childhood is one of active engagement and assertiveness as children explore their world and their ability to impact it.  Join us as leading industry experts gather to discuss the unique challenges of developing young learners.  This workshop will examine early childhood learning through the lens of the built environment, as participants consider the ways in which school design can support both developmental and academic goals.

Speakers will offer insights from the fields of youth development, mind-brain education and play-based learning.  Practitioner and industry leaders will connect theory to on-the-ground practice, with activities designed to leverage the collective knowledge of participants to consider design solutions.  The event will conclude with a tour of an Early Childhood campus with innovative early childhood learning environments to offer inspiration and design ideas for future schools.

Understand the essential needs of early childhood from a youth development and brain-based perspective.

Explore connections between the needs of early childhood and the design features of a child-centered learning environment.

Examine the implications for the design process, including stakeholder outreach involving young children, families, and the community.

Learn about design applications to create spaces for future projects that promote the goals of early childhood development