Active and Upcoming

The Center annually hosts a series of online discussions moderated by nationally recognized early childhood experts. These online discussions are open to the public. Join the conversation to chat with the people who have written the books and helped shape early childhood policy and practice. Each expert will be the featured guest for a week-long open discussion on issues of interest to early childhood professionals.

The Center also hosts several closed online discussions during the year. These discussions are only available to registered participants of a particular course or training event. They are moderated by the course instructor and indicated in red as PRIVATE.

Mindful Learning: Making the Body-Brain Connection
Hosted by Keith L. Pentz
June 2-7, 2008

Topic description: The relationship between the mind and the brain is significant. In order to optimize learning, proper stimuli must be presented to build neural and memory links. The impact of how "mindful" or "mindless" an activity is will be determined by the physiological and emotional response to the stimuli. In all mindful learning matters, the process is the product. Join the discussion and learn about new brain research and the implications for teaching and learning. Receive practical suggestions on how to make learning mindful and discover how to successfully attain expected goals and outcomes by using "mindful" techniques. Engage with colleagues and learn how to be personally more mindful. Enter June 2 »

About the guest expert: Keith L. Pentz, National Education Advisor for Kaplan Early Learning Company, has been in the field of education for nearly 30 years. Keith began his career by working in child care with infants and toddlers. Later, he taught kindergarten and elementary students. He spent the remainder of his classroom time teaching pre-kindergarten and working specifically with low socio-economic families and inclusion students. Following his experience in the classroom, Keith moved on to teach at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL and at Gordon College in Wenham, MA.

Along with his classroom experience, Keith has been involved in a variety of research and hands-on programs—specifically regarding play therapy and play as a strategy for the development of cognitive processes. The many and varied experiences have provided Keith with the opportunity to speak with groups at the local, regional, national, and international level. His areas of expertise include:

With a real passion for quality early childhood education, Keith works for educational reform, creating positive teaching and learning models, and applying best practices, always with the child as the central focus.