2026 TEAM Lowcountry Early Childhood Conference

Sponsored by:First Steps in Allendale, Barnwell, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties, Beaufort Jasper EOC Head Start, SC DSS ABC Quality, Baptist Church of Beaufort, Child Enrichment Center, SC Child Care Resource and Referral

TEAM Lowcountry Conference Planning Committee

Join us in person for the TEAM Lowcountry Early Childhood Conference—fun, learning, and networking all day!

Baptist Church of Beaufort

TEAM Lowcountry Conference Schedule 2026 T.E.A.M. Lowcountry Early Childhood ConferenceTheme: Building Blocks of LearningJoin Us at the TEAM Lowcountry Early Childhood Conference!Get ready for an exciting two-day event focused on early childhood education in the Lowcountry area. This in-person event brings together passionate educators, caregivers, and community members to share ideas, learn new strategies, and connect with others who care deeply about young learners. Don’t miss out on the chance to grow your skills and be part of a supportive network. We can’t wait to see you there!Registration InformationComplete the online registration by selecting day(s) planning to attend. Workshop sessions will be selected on the day of the conference, arrive early to get registered and to review conference brochure. If a session is FULL when you arrive, you will need to go to another session. NOTE: Some sessions are offered multiple times, you will only get credit for attending one of those sessions.Payment can be made online using a credit or debit card. You can also register online by using the Other Payment Option which will allow you to register now and send checks after registration is complete. Mail payment payable to Beaufort County First Steps, P.O. Box 6421, Beaufort, SC 29903...registration is not complete until payment is received.Registration Deadline and FeesRegistration must be received by April 3, 2026. Space is limited, REGISTER EARLY.1-Day Conference (Friday or Saturday attendance). Registration fee is $40.00 2-Day Conference (Friday and Saturday attendance). Registration fee is $60.00Please Note: There is an additional fee of $25.00 for CPR and Pediatric First Aid, if needing to take CPR, please select the correct date for this add-on workshop.Cancellation and Refund Policy:Cancellation requests must be received by April 3, 2026, to receive a full refund. No refunds will be given after April 3, 2026. All cancellation requests must be made by contacting Betty Washington or Megan Shipman at Beaufort County First Steps (843) 379-7837.TEAM Lowcountry Conference ScheduleTopic Key: CU – Curriculum GD – Growth &amp; Development HS – Health &amp; Safety PD – Professional Development CG – Child Guidance NU – Nutrition PA – Program Administration SN – Special NeedsFriday, April 10, 20267:15 AM – 8:15 AM Conference Registration8:15 AM - 11:35 AM CPR and Pediatric First Aid (additional $25.00) First Response; Kerry Hardy NOTE: If taking CPR &amp; Pediatric First Aid do not sign up for any other classes until 12:20 PM8:15 AM - 9:15 AM (KEYNOTE) (Fellowship Hall)<ul><li>The First Building Block: Why Adults’ Wellbeing is the Foundation of Early Learning (PD); Tiffany Gibby</li></ul>9:25 AM - 10:25 AM<ul><li>Blueprint for Brilliance “Empowering Educators, Transforming Early Learners” (PD); Sudena Sturgis</li><li>Budget- Friendly Motor Skill Development (GD); Alyssa Willis</li><li>From Behavior to Belonging: Practical Behavior Management for Early Childhood Setting PART 1(CG); Jill Powers</li><li>From Foundation to Practice: Simple, Research-Based Strategies for Teachers’ Wellbeing and Classroom Calm (PD); Tiffany Gibby (Fellowship Hall)</li><li>Helping Adolescent Families Thrive: Supporting the Development of Teen Parents and Their Young Child (PD); Mayra Toro Baez, Karla Lozada, &amp; Solimar Abbott</li><li>Integrating Trama-Informed Practices into Disaster Response &amp; Preparedness for ECE Provides (PD); Ashley Nelson</li><li>Responsive Care and Early Brain Development (GD); Meg Claffey, Ginger Miller, Becky Merrick</li><li>Supporting Children with ADHD in Early Childhood Settings (SN); Cheryl Scales-Chavis</li></ul>10:35 AM - 11:35 AM<ul><li>Active Supervision (HS); Susan Kear</li><li>Blueprint for Brilliance “Empowering Educators, Transforming Early Learners” (PD); Sudena Sturgis</li><li>Budget- Friendly Motor Skill Development (GD); Alyssa Willis</li><li>Connection Before Correction: Building Trusting Relationships with Infant &amp; Toddlers (CG); Kelly Simmons</li><li>From Behavior to Belonging: Practical Behavior Management for Early Childhood Setting PART 2(CG); Jill Powers</li><li>From Burnout to Balance: Strategies for Your ECE Program (PD); Latisha Wright &amp; Shryell Daniels</li><li>Integrating Trama-Informed Practices into Disaster Response &amp; Preparedness for ECE Provides (PD); Ashley Nelson</li><li>Responsive Care and Early Brain Development (GD); Meg Claffey, Ginger Miller, Becky Merrick</li><li>Supporting Children with ADHD in Early Childhood Settings (SN); Cheryl Scales-Chavis</li></ul>11:35 AM -12:15 PM----Lunch &amp; Door Prizes (Social Hall)12:20 PM - 1:20 PM<ul><li>Bloodborne Pathogens (HS); Betty Ford</li><li>Classroom Management (CG); Susan Kear</li><li>Connection Before Correction: Building Trusting Relationships with Infant &amp; Toddlers (CG); Kelly Simmons</li><li>Creating Safe Spaces: Healthy Touch, Boundaries, and Bystander Intervention (PD); James Morrall &amp; April Cook</li><li>Empowerment Focus, Identity, and Women Building Strong Minds and Self-Worth (PD) Sudena Sturgis</li><li>From Behavior to Belonging: Practical Behavior Management for Early Childhood Setting PART 1(CG); Jill Powers</li><li>Integrating Trama-Informed Practices into Disaster Response &amp; Preparedness for ECE Provides (PD); Ashley Nelson</li><li>Language and Literacy for Young Children in Family Child Care (GD); Teneshia Slempa</li><li>Making Literacy Fun for Children (CU); Shiela Keaise</li><li>Nutrition Medley- Making Healthy Choices (NU); Alyssa Willis</li></ul>1:30 PM - 2:30 PM<ul><li>Bloodborne Pathogens (HS); Betty Ford</li><li>Bringing Literacy into the Classroom (CU); Shiela Keaise</li><li>Creating Safe Spaces: Healthy Touch, Boundaries, and Bystander Intervention (PD); James Morrall &amp; April Cook</li><li>Creative and Collaborative Storytelling (CU); Leigh Ramey</li><li>Empowerment Focus, Identity, and Women Building Strong Minds and Self-worth (PD) Sudena Sturgis</li><li>From Behavior to Belonging: Practical Behavior Management for Early Childhood Setting PART 2(CG); Jill Powers\</li><li>Helping Adolescent Families Thrive: Supporting the Development of Teen Parents and Their Young Child (PD); Mayra Toro Baez&lt; Karla Lozada, &amp; Solimar Abbott</li><li>Integrating Trama-Informed Practices into Disaster Response &amp; Preparedness for ECE Provides (PD); Ashley Nelson</li><li>Nutrition Medley- Making Healthy Choices (NU); Alyssa Willis</li><li>Sound Healing for Teachers (PD); Charity Holland</li></ul>2:40 PM - 3:40 PM (KEYNOTE)<ul><li>Waking Up Small Minds: The Building Blocks for Reading (CU); Dr. Renarta Tompkins</li></ul>End of Day 1 of TEAM Conference (If only attending 1 day, please leave conference attendance sheets at registration area)---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Saturday, April 11, 2026 7:15 AM – 8:15 AM Conference Registration8:15 AM - 11:35 AM CPR and Pediatric First Aid (additional $25.00) First Response; Kerry Hardy NOTE: If taking CPR &amp; Pediatric First Aid do not sign up for any other classes until 12:20 PM8:15 AM - 9:15 AM (KEYNOTE) (Fellowship Hall)<ul><li>The Architecture of Learning: Building Blocks That Are Built to Last (CU); Davina Coleman</li></ul>9:25 AM - 10:25 AM<ul><li>Building Kids One “Tummy Time” At a Time! (GD); Heather Griffin</li><li>Creative and Collaborative Storytelling (CU); Leigh Ramey</li><li>From Birth to Brilliance: The Power of the Basics (GD); Maura Thomas</li><li>From Foundations to Practice: Designing Learning Environments That Last (CU), Davina Coleman (Fellowship Hall)</li><li>Heart Led Leadership for Early Learning Teams: Leadership That Shapes Early Futures (PD); Marcella Shaw</li><li>Law Enforcement Resources (PD); Master Sergeant Robert Herlong</li><li>Lead, Connect, Thrive (PA); Michael Howell Jr.</li><li>Math Through Play: Everyday Math Experiences for Toddlers (CU); Andrea Brown</li><li>Nutrition Medley- Making Healthy Choices (NU); Alyssa Willis</li><li>Smooth Moves: Supporting Seamless Transitions (CG); Anita Lynn Singleton</li></ul>10:35 AM - 11:35 AM<ul><li>Active Supervision (HS); Susan Kear</li><li>Amazing Tools for Successful Guidance (CG); Sherrie Dueno</li><li>Building Kids One “Tummy Time” At a Time! (GD); Heather Griffin</li><li>From Birth to Brilliance: The Power of the Basics (GD); Maura Thomas</li><li>Heart Led Leadership for Early Learning Teams: Leadership That Shapes Early Futures (PD); Marcella Shaw</li><li>Lead, Connect, Thrive (PA); Michael Howell Jr.</li><li>Little Learners, Big Discoveries (CU); Briona Milledge &amp; Latasha McGill</li><li>Math Through Play: Everyday Math Experiences for Toddlers (CU); Andrea Brown</li><li>Nutrition Medley- Making Healthy Choices (NU); Alyssa Willis</li></ul>11:35 AM - 12:15 PM-----Lunch &amp; Door Prizes (Social Hall)12:20 PM - 1:20 PM<ul><li>Amazing Tools for Successful Guidance (CG); Sherrie Dueno</li><li>Beyond Resiliency: A Trauma-Responsive Framework for Caregivers Wellness (PD); Dr. Tamekia Ford</li><li>Bloodborne Pathogens (HS); Betty Ford</li><li>Budget- Friendly Motor Skill Development (CU); Alyssa Willis</li><li>Classroom Management (CG); Susan Kear</li><li>Creating Safe Spaces: Healthy Touch, Boundaries, and Bystander Intervention (PD); James Morrall &amp; April Cook</li><li>Get With the Function…Executive Function (CG); Heather Griffin</li><li>Lead, Connect, Thrive (PA); Michael Howell Jr.</li><li>Making Literacy Fun for Children (CU); Shiela Keaise</li><li>Math Through Play: Everyday Math Experiences for Toddlers (CU); Andrea Brown</li></ul>1:30 PM- 2:30 PM<ul><li>Beyond Resiliency: A Trauma-Responsive Framework for Caregivers Wellness (PD); Dr. Tamekia Ford</li><li>Bloodborne Pathogens (HS); Betty Ford</li><li>Bringing Literacy into the Classroom (CU); Shiela Keaise</li><li>Budget- Friendly Motor Skill Development (CU); Alyssa Willis</li><li>Creating Quality Learning Environments (CU); Sherrie Dueno</li><li>Creating Safe Spaces: Healthy Touch, Boundaries, and Bystander Intervention (PD); James Morrall &amp; April Cook</li><li>Get With the Function…Executive Function (CG); Heather Griffin</li><li>Lead, Connect, Thrive (PA); Michael Howell Jr.</li><li>Little Learners, Big Discoveries (CU); Briona Milledge &amp; Latasha McGill</li><li>Math Through Play: Everyday Math Experiences for Toddlers (CU); Andrea Brown</li></ul>2:40 PM - 3:40 PM (KEYNOTE) (Fellowship Hall)<ul><li>From Secret Sauce to Solid Foundations: The Building Blocks of Learning (PD); Anita Lynn Singleton</li></ul> End of Day 2 (Please leave all attendance sheets at the registration area)Please make sure to scan the QR code on back of the conference brochure to provide feedback.

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}