4C For Children Conference Wrap-Up

If you’ve ever wondered what keeps the teachers and staff at Jelly Bean Junction Learning Centers so connected to the latest in early childhood education, the answer is simple: we never stop learning.

Earlier this month, the entire Jelly Bean Junction team took part in the 4C For Children Leadership and Early Childhood Conference - a three-day event packed with workshops, speakers, and hands-on sessions designed to help educators grow their skills and bring new ideas back to the classroom. 

“We believe continued education is essential,” said Dianna Moore, Area Manager at Jelly Bean Junction. “Our teachers are shaping young minds every day. The best way to do that well is by continuing to learn themselves.”  

Learning Opportunities that Shape Our Curriculum  

During the conference, our educators had the opportunity to select from more than 18 workshops covering a wide range of topics, including classroom behavior management, brain development and health, early literacy, and nature-based learning. 

Other sessions explored neurodiversity, trauma-responsive care, understanding child development, and creating a culture of empathy. 

Because we want our professional development opportunities to directly enhance the learning experiences of the children in our care, we encouraged teachers to choose sessions most relevant to their classroom. 

Some staff dove into sessions on Adapting in Action, which explored evidence-based strategies for making learning environments adaptive and supportive for all children. Others attended Effective Conversations About Children’s Behavior, where they practiced communication techniques that address challenges while building trust with parents. 

“We’re always working towards building stronger partnerships,” Moore shared. “Any practical ways to collaborate with families while maintaining that trust and positivity- that’s so important.” 

Social and Emotional Development: A Key Focus 

A big focus of the conference this year was social and emotional development and how we can help kids build confidence, empathy, and self-regulation. One of the standout sessions, Understanding Child Development: Beyond Piaget and Vygotsky, took a closer look at how children learn both through hands-on discovery and through their interactions with others. 

The Piaget and Vygotsky Theory is a combined approach to teaching children. Simply put, Piaget believed kids learn best by exploring the world around them, while Vygotsky emphasized how much they learn from the people and culture that surround them. Together, their ideas give us a more complete picture of how children grow and make sense of their world. 

Our teachers who attended said it gave them a fresh perspective on child development and new ways to support every child’s learning journey in the classroom. 

Gaining Skills for Unique Situations in the Classroom  

There were also several workshops on understanding trauma - something teachers may not face every day but it is critically important to recognize when it does come up. Many of our teachers attended sessions like Trauma-Responsive Care, which dug into how to spot signs of trauma and respond with empathy, presence, and effectiveness. as well as Creating Safe Reset Spaces, which focused on how to best create calm, supportive environments where children feel seen and secure when they’re struggling to regulate their emotions. 

"These were excellent opportunities for our teachers to build on the caring environment they already strive for in their classrooms,” Moore shared. 

New Tools, Fresh Ideas

Another highlight of the conference is that many vendors present have the latest materials, toys, and other resources for the classroom curriculum. Teachers spent time with vendors testing new learning tools, exploring toys designed to encourage creativity and collaboration, and picking up resources to take back to their own classrooms.  

“We always survey our teachers afterward,” Moore said. “They love getting new ideas and seeing what’s out there, it keeps things fresh and exciting.” 

Inspiration to Keep Growing 

The conference closed with a keynote by William Martinez, whose message about the profound impact teachers have on their students left the team inspired. 

At Jelly Bean Junction, professional growth isn’t just encouraged, it’s built into the culture. The annual 4C for Children Leadership and Early Childhood Conference is one of many ways JBJ invests in its educators, ensuring that every child benefits from the latest, most thoughtful approaches to early learning. 

To learn more about Jelly Bean Junction Learning Centers, please click here for a tour!