Florida Association for the Education of Young Children

09/09/2026

Which of these keynotes would you most want a front-row seat for? 👀

At this year’s FLAEYC Annual Conference, we’re looking at The Power of Play from three very different perspectives.

💜 Carly Bedard: rediscovering joy, passion, and possibility
🩵 Preston Blackburn: understanding the power of big body play
💛 Ron Mohl: learning how to support play without getting in the way

And these are just the keynotes.

From practical sessions to new ideas, meaningful connections, and a whole lot of play, we’re creating a weekend designed for the people who make early childhood education happen every day.

📍 Jacksonville, Florida
📅 October 16–18, 2026

Tell us below: Carly, Preston, or Ron… whose keynote are you especially excited to hear?

Want to see what else is waiting for you at FLAEYC 2026? Conference information and registration are linked in the comments.

09/08/2026

Our 2026 FLAEYC Award Winners are in the news! 🎉

Patch recently featured this year’s incredible honorees and the work they are doing for young children, families, educators, and communities across Florida. We are so proud to see their contributions recognized and celebrated.

Read the article here:
https://patch.com/florida/west-palm-beach/florida-association-education-young-children-recognizes-award-winners-nodx

And to ALL of our 2026 award winners, congratulations again! 💜 You represent so much of what makes Florida’s early childhood community special.

Now come celebrate with us!

Join us at the 2026 FLAEYC Annual Conference, October 16–18 in Jacksonville, where we’ll come together to learn, connect, and recognize the people making a difference in our field.

🍂 Fall into FLAEYC and save $20!
Use promo code FALL2026 on a Full Conference registration through September 15.

We hope to see you there!

09/08/2026

Fun fact: Before this story came together, the reporter first interviewed FLAEYC Board President Norma Perez Schwartz. During that conversation, Norma introduced her to The Man in the Red Bandanna and shared how the book can be used to help young children begin to understand the tragedy of September 11 in an age-appropriate and meaningful way.

While FLAEYC didn’t ultimately make it into the published article, Norma’s influence did.

Her suggestion helped point the reporter toward a powerful resource that is now being shared with readers across the country, helping bring greater awareness to how educators can approach difficult moments in history with young children.

It’s such a great reminder of the ripple effect our field can have. Sometimes the conversations happening behind the scenes lead to ideas, resources, and stories that reach far beyond us.

We’re proud of Norma for helping spark that connection and for continuing to elevate the important work of early childhood educators.

Twenty-five years later, educators are using this story of heroism to help a new generation grasp 9/11.

09/08/2026

The FLAEYC Conference is all about connection, inspiration, and taking action for early childhood education professionals. It is THE Florida Conference made especially for ECE professionals. Come to the 2026
FLAEYC Annual Conference October 16-18 in Jacksonville where this year's focus is The Power of Play!
Will we see you there? Link in comments to register.

09/07/2026

Challenging behaviors can leave even experienced early childhood professionals wondering, “What should I do right now?”

Next week, we’re bringing together four early childhood experts for a FREE Teachers Teaching Teachers workshop designed to give you practical strategies you can begin thinking about immediately. 💛

Join us September 14 at 7:00 PM ET on Zoom for:

Responding to Behavioral Concerns with Intention: A Leadership Approach in Childcare Settings

You’ll explore ways to better understand behavior, support self-regulation, and respond to children with greater intention.

✨ And there’s more: This workshop is a preview of the full all-day experience happening October 15 during the FLAEYC Annual Conference Pre-Conference sessions in Jacksonville!

Come get a taste of what our presenters have planned.

The workshop is completely FREE, but be sure to register. We’ll put the link in the comments! 👇

Tag an early childhood educator, director, or leader who should join you.

09/05/2026

Conference sessions, connections… and a little time to explore Jacksonville, too! 🌴

Jen is giving us another peek around the Hyatt, including the fitness center, where our junior intern Katie is apparently already training for conference week. 😂

If you’re joining us October 16–18 for the 2026 FLAEYC Annual Conference, start thinking about what you’d like to do while you’re in Jacksonville. Grab dinner with new conference friends, explore the riverfront, see a little more of the city, or maybe even squeeze in a workout!

We’ll put the Visit Jacksonville link in the comments to help you plan your trip.

Jacksonville locals and past visitors: What should our attendees add to their list? 👇

09/03/2026

What if the students who wiggle, blurt out, and struggle to stay focused could become more engaged learners without asking them to change who they are?

Intentional movement can make a powerful difference in the early learning classroom. When movement is built into the day, children’s bodies and brains can begin to feel ready for learning.

Join Preston Blackburn, founder of Pivot to Play, at the FLAEYC Annual Conference to discover practical ways to bring purposeful movement into your classroom right away.

ECE professionals, this session is for you! Learn more about the conference at the link in the comments and tag a colleague who would love this approach.



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09/02/2026

This next chapter? It’s your turn. 💜

Your turn to be inspired.
Your turn to reconnect with why you chose this work.
Your turn to learn something that changes what Monday looks like in your classroom, program, or community.

The 2026 FLAEYC Annual Conference is more than a weekend away. It’s three days of connection, fresh ideas, meaningful learning, and the kind of energy that stays with you long after you head home.

📍 Jacksonville, Florida
📅 October 16–18, 2026

Come for the inspiration. Leave with practical ideas you can use the very next working day.

Ready for your turn?

Register today… link in comments.

09/01/2026

A FLAEYC voice is in today’s Miami Herald! 🎉

We’re proud to share that FLAEYC Board President Norma Schwartz has a letter to the editor published in today’s paper, and her message is one we hope every Floridian hears:

Invest in all kids.

Norma writes about what research and experience continue to tell us: children benefit from trained teachers, high-quality experiences, and consistency, whether they are learning in public pre-K, private child care, or a family child care home.

Quality early childhood education shouldn’t depend on the setting. Every child deserves it, and every educator providing it deserves our investment.

We’re so proud to see Norma bringing the early childhood perspective into the public conversation.

📄 The newspaper text can be difficult to read in a social media photo, so we’ve posted Norma’s full letter in the comments below.

Thank you, Miami Herald, for sharing her voice!

09/01/2026

Strong associations are built through strong connections.

We’re grateful to the Florida Society of Association Executives for creating space for association leaders across Florida to step away from the day-to-day, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.

FLAEYC Executive Director Wendy Occhipinti joined fellow CEOs for a weekend of reflection, collaboration, and conversations about the challenges and opportunities shaping association leadership.

→ Fresh perspectives
→ Meaningful connections
→ Ideas we can bring back to better serve Florida’s early childhood community

Thank you, FSAE, for investing in the leaders who are working every day to strengthen their organizations and the communities they serve.