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 Speaker

Megan Franke, Professor and Vice Chair of Professional Programs at UCLA who will be in conversation with Karen Recinos from the UCLA Math Project

Workshops

• Social Studies Foundations through Literature
• Counting Collections and Problem Solving
• Movement in the TK Classroom
• Interactive Reading to Spark Writing
• Exploring the World through Play
• Emergent Stages of Writing
• My Grandmother's Purse
• BUBBLES!
• Playful Interactions: An inentional Strategy for Supporting Multilingual Children's Oral Language Skills Development
• The Joy of Creative Music and Movement for Young Artists
• WET! Water Exploration
• Exploring the Marketplace

* * 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.