Our workshops give educators the tools, strategies and resources to implement PBL successfully in early childhood settings.
We are excited to support your school or community in implementing high quality Project Based Learning with our youngest students. If you are interested in scheduling a workshop, please contact us for pricing as well as to receive information about additional offerings.
All of our workshops are offered either in-person or virtually.
Foundations of Early Childhood PBL
This two-day comprehensive workshop will provide you with everything you need to launch PBL in your early childhood classroom.
Introduction to Early Childhood PBL
Welcome to our two-hour introductory workshop on Early Childhood Project Based Learning (ECPBL). During this session, you can expect to deepen your understanding of constructivist principles and learner-centered practices, two key frameworks that create the foundation for Project Based Learning. We will share strategies for using student interests and wonderings alongside classroom observations to begin visualizing a project for the class. Together we will delve into our Early Childhood Project Planning Outline, offering you a flexible approach to planning that will meet the unique needs of young children. Join us in unlocking the transformative potential of ECPBL and fostering lifelong learners from the earliest years.
Project Planning for our Youngest Leaners
In this workshop, we will share our own learner-centered, inquiry-based approach to planning for a PBL unit. This three-layered approach empowers teachers to create meaningful learning experiences that guide the sustained inquiry process. When children readily engage in research opportunities by way of first-hand, authentic experiences, they discover connections between the content, their interests, and the world beyond the classroom.
This workshop is also offered as a self-paced, online course.
Embedding SEL into PBL: Supporting Independence and Collaboration
In this workshop, we deepen our understanding of social and emotional learning (SEL), specifically focusing on the skills and competencies that lead children to become more collaborative, independent learners. We offer strategies for intentionally integrating SEL into a project plan while leaving the unit open for additional spontaneous learning opportunities.
Residency
Join us for an enriching two-day residency focused on Early Childhood Project-Based Learning (EC PBL). On the first day, an experienced EC PBL facilitator will visit classrooms using our specialized walkthrough tool, designed to address the unique aspects of implementing PBL in early childhood settings. Teachers will have the opportunity to meet individually with the facilitator to discuss specific questions and needs. Following the classroom visits, the facilitator will meet with school leaders to share observations and recommend actionable next steps.
Day two offers a flexible schedule tailored to the needs of the school. It can include individual follow-up sessions with teachers, additional classroom observations, or further meetings with school leaders. The residency will conclude with a professional development session, lasting between 90 minutes and two hours, crafted specifically around the observations and recommendations from the residency.
This residency aims to provide practical insights and personalized support to enhance the implementation of project-based learning in early childhood education.
Community of Practice
Initially designed for California early childhood educators developing Universal PreK programs across the state, our Community of Practice (CoP) is now open to any school community looking to integrate PBL
The CoP begins with an in-person, full-day workshop where participants explore the many benefits of implementing Project Based Learning (PBL) in early childhood education. They will acquire tools and resources to design PBL units aligned with state standards, supporting young children in developing key academic skills and social and emotional competencies that foster greater independence as learners. Following this session, participants engage in three one-hour virtual coaching sessions, scheduled at convenient times throughout the school year. These sessions are tailored to the needs and interests of the community.
Our CoP is ideal for early childhood educators in various settings, including preschool, TK, primary (K-2) teachers, administrators, instructional assistants, child care workers, special education teachers, and staff members in before- and after-school care. It offers a safe, collaborative learning environment for all participants, regardless of their level of experience with early childhood and/or project based learning.
For California educators, our Community of Practice meets the requirements of Focus Area D of the UPK Implementation Plan and the CDE UPK Curriculum Guidance around whole-approach and skills-specific curriculum.
When including the optional book study, participants can earn 1 ECE credit for 15 hours of participation through Cal Poly Humboldt University.
Customize a Workshop
We often customize workshops to meet the needs of schools and communities. Please email us and tell us your hopes and needs, we’d love to hear from you.
“Even though I am comfortable with PBL in general, this workshop (and your book) have really helped me to develop a greater understanding of PBL with young learners - and therefore how to better support the teachers I work with. I wish I could go back and have a do- over with some of them. Thank you for offering this workshop and for your thoughtful planning of the time. The variety of activities, yoga breaks, use of breakout rooms - everything made great use of the time and honored my need for variety.”