Fall Conference 2026

“The Joy in the Journey: Recharging Our Passion for Play and Nurturing Self-Care”

Holyoke Community College - 303 Homestead Ave, Holyoke, MA 01040

Date: October 24, 2026 | Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Thank you for your interest in presenting our MAAEYC Conference. This form may be used to submit your workshop presentation request. Each presentation requires a separate submission. *Please note: If selected as a presenter, we may duplicate some of these questions on your registration to streamline our forms.

Overview

The Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children (MAAEYC) invites early childhood educators, leaders, advocates, researchers, coaches, higher education faculty, and community partners to submit proposals for the upcoming MAAEYC 2026 Conference, taking place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Holyoke Community College in partnership with the Western Professional Development Center.

This year’s conference theme, “The Joy in the Journey: Recharging Our Passion for Play and Nurturing Self-Care,” is a celebration of the heart of our work. In a field that asks so much of educators every day, we aim to create a space where professionals can reconnect with their purpose, rediscover joy through play, embrace the healing power of nature and outdoor experiences, and prioritize the well-being that sustains meaningful and lasting impact.

We are seeking engaging, reflective, and inspiring presentations that uplift the early childhood profession while offering practical strategies, innovative ideas, and opportunities for connection and growth. We welcome sessions that recognize both the challenges and the beauty of this journey and that honor the humanity of those who care for and educate young children.

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We encourage proposals related to topics such as:
- Play-based learning and joyful teaching practices
- Outdoor play, nature-based learning, and environmental exploration
- Educator wellness, self-care, and resilience
- Leadership development and reflective practice
- Inclusive and culturally responsive education
- Family and community engagement
- Social-emotional learning
- Innovation and creativity in early childhood settings
- Equity and advocacy in early education
- Trauma-informed practices and mental wellness
- Building sustainable and thriving early learning communities

We welcome a variety of session formats, including interactive workshops, panel discussions, research presentations, storytelling sessions, and hands-on experiences that encourage participant engagement, reflection, movement, creativity, and connection.

At MAAEYC, we believe conferences should do more than inform—they should restore, inspire, and remind us that we are not alone in this work. We invite you to share your voice, your experience, and your passion with a community committed to nurturing children, families, educators, and one another.

Together, let us celebrate the joy in the journey.

We look forward to receiving your proposal. 

Please note that all proposals are due by June 20th

We will notify you of acceptance by July 10th

Agenda for the Day

8:00 AM | Doors open

8:15 AM | Registration

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM | Keynote Speaker

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Morning Sessions

12:00 PM -1:00 PM | Lunch

1:15 PM - 2:45 PM | Afternoon Sessions

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Closing remarks and raffles

Conference presenters are expected to pay for any travel and hotel accommodation and arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of their session. 

Classrooms are equipped with a whiteboard, projector and classroom style seating. Please bring any cords you may need to hook up your computer to the projector/smartboard. This would include HDMI, chargers, etc. 

You are also required to bring anything you need to run your session; special requests for water or things like that may not be accomodated.

We ask that if you move the desks/chairs that you return them to their original set up upon leaving. Presenters who present in kind will receive a complimentary registration for one person. If presenters receive an honorarium and want to attend any sessions you will need to register using the reduced presenter rate.

If you have any questions or require further clarification, please feel free to email info@maaeyc.org