June 22, 2021 -  Opening Keynote

Stuart Stotts

The Early Childhood Symposium is excited to announce the opening keynote for Tuesday, June 22, 2021 is Mr. Stuart Stotts, author, storyteller, educator, and songwriter. Mr. Stotts, work with early childhood teachers includes three simple goals.

1. Increase singing with young children.

2. Encourage storytelling.

3. Build a sense of professionalism, advocating for children and those who work with them.

Singing with children provides many of the ideal conditions provided by brain research for enhancing social skills, building creativity and laying a foundation for literacy.  Stuart includes accessible and relevant brain research in his keynotes so that participants have some ideas of the scientific rationale for why these approaches are important and successful.   

Stuart Stotts Website 

June 23, 2021 - Opening Keynote 

Dr. Rebecca Isbell

 The opening keynote speaker for Wednesday, June 23, 2021 is Dr. Rebecca Isbell, author and consultant in early childhood education.  Dr. Isbell is a motivational speaker, prolific writer, and consultant in early childhood education. She has authored thirteen books and numerous articles related to creativity, learning environments, play, the arts and child development.

She is the author of Creatiity and the Arts with Young Children (3rd Edition), a textbook that is widely used in early childhood classes. Other bestselling books include the following.

• Complete Book of Learning Centers (Revised),
• Real Classroom Makeovers, and
• Nurturing Creativity: An Essential Mindset for Young Children's Learning, published by NAEYC.

Dr. Rebecca Isbell's energtic presentations are filled with current research, practical ideas, humerous stories and many opportunities to celebrate the joys of working with creative young children.

 Dr. Isbell's Website