June 2026 Early Childhood Days of Play

Play is a critical foundation for communication, social interaction, learning, and independence. In this session, participants will explore the importance of functional play for students with autism and learn practical strategies for assessing, teaching, and expanding play skills. Through examples and interactive activities, participants will gain tools for using modeling, prompting, reinforcement, and play expansion techniques to increase engagement and create meaningful opportunities for communication and social development.
 

Connect With Playing... Virtually! explores the vital role of play in STEM learning and how it fosters curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Participants will discover how meaningful, hands-on experiences can be created without expensive materials or in-person interaction. Through simple, adaptable strategies, teachers will learn how to incorporate playful learning using everyday items and digital tools. The session emphasizes that play is not an extra, but a powerful pathway to engagement and concept mastery in STEM, accessible in any classroom setting, whether physical or virtual.