2026 CSMP UTK Conference - Playful Foundations

Join the California Subject Matter Project in this cross-disciplinary conference focused on inquiry-based learning for Transitional Kindergarten / Pre-Kindergarten students. Educators will be given space to share ideas and resources and will leave with high-quality, play-based, inquiry-centered learning tools for the TK/PK classroom. With California’s UTK program expected to be available to all four-year-olds in the state this school year, this conference will provide an excellent opportunity for all educators in TK/PK spaces to develop further capacity for supporting these young learners. TK teachers and teacher leaders are especially encouraged to attend.

Participants will leave the conference with high quality, play-based, inquiry-centered learning tools for the TK/PK classroom.

Keynote Speakers

Welcome from Yolo County Superintendent Garth Lewis. Keynote Panel with Megan Franke and Deborah Stipek facilitated by Daniel Mendoza

Workshops

• Playful Interactions: An Intentional Strategy for Supporting Multlingual Children's Oral Language Skills Development with Carla Llewelyn-Vasquez & Margaret Peterson
• Emergent Stages of Writing with Marci Haas
• Bubbles and Movement in the TK Classroom with Dianne Wilson-Graham
• Exploring the World Through Play with Emily Schell
• WET! Water Exploration with Michelle Herriage, Jon Kovach, and Maria Samani
• Counting Collections and Problem Solving with Karen Recinos
• Social Studies Foundation through Literature with Kate Bowen
• Exploring the Marketplace with Kate Bowen & Nina Gonzalez
• My Grandmothers Purse with Diana Zargoza
• The Joy of Creative Music and Movement for Young Artists with Armalyn De La O

* * Workshops subject to change **

Registration

October 3, 2025 - January 16, 2026: $145 per person

Payment can be made via credit card, personal check, & school/District check/Purchase orders.

Please use this link to book your discounted room for the conference, for those traveling outside of San Diego County.