Fostering Spatial Skills through Playful Hands-on and Physical Learning Activities

Date: July 10, 2025 (7-8:15PM EST / 4-5:15PM PST)

Speaker: Dr. Ashley Lewis-Presser

Hosted by: Dr. Scott Mesh

Format: Online Webinar (Interactive)

Target Audience: Early Childhood Teachers, Therapists, and Professionals who work with Young Children

- Join for FREE: get a Certificate of Attendance at the end.

- CE Certificate/CEUs $9

○ 1.0 CTLE CE Hours (CE Certificate)

○ 1.0 NYSED SW CE Hours (CE Certificate)

REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN CE Certificate/CEUs:

○ You MUST attend the webinar from start to finish

○ You MUST fill out the attendance form (will be sent via email)

○ You MUST answer & submit the evaluation form after the webinar (will be sent via email)

Failure to fulfill requirements may result in delays receiving your certificate/credits, or in some cases, non-receipt of your certificate/credits.

Webinar Description:

This webinar will focus on enhancing preschoolers’ spatial orientation learning through a combination of hands-on and digital experiences. Led by Dr. Ashley Lewis Presser, this webinar will show tips and strategies on how to improve spatial thinking for future academic success and interest in STEM fields. It will introduce the 'Early Math with Gracie & Friends' Spatial Orientation curriculum, which includes mobile apps and activities developed through extensive research and collaboration with educators and families. The webinar will outline specific spatial learning goals, provide an overview of classroom materials and home activities, and discuss the integration of augmented reality (AR) technology to engage children in spatial tasks. Research findings have shown positive outcomes in children’s spatial vocabulary and understanding, emphasizing the feasibility and benefits of incorporating these activities into preschool education.

Objectives:

The participants will be able to…

1. Identify 10 key spatial vocabulary terms in classroom activities

2. Recognize hands-on activities that promote spatial orientation

3. Identify steps on how to organize collaborative play sessions where children work together on spatial tasks, fostering communication and teamwork while using spatial language.

4. Explain how to guide and encourage families to complete home activities related to spatial learning, tracking participation through checklists or feedback forms.

Speaker's Bio

Dr. Ashley Lewis Presser’s work focuses primarily on research and development related to early childhood STEM. Her research focuses on the development and testing of early childhood STEM interventions and the appropriate use of technology in these settings. She is currently the PI for an NSF-funded project to design and test data collection and analysis activities for preK students (4-5-year-olds) that leverage hands-on materials and a digital tool that collects data and creates visual data displays. The goal is to build specific math skills that are naturally engaging for young children (e.g., counting and categorizing) and provide a foundation for later mathematics competencies.

Host's Bio

Dr. Mesh is a clinical psychologist and the co-author of the book “Early Childhood Assessment: A Practical Guide to Psychological and Developmental Evaluations in the Early Intervention Program.” He has worked with families for over 30 years. Dr. Mesh is the Co-Founder and CEO of Los Niños Services, an award-winning Early Childhood Special Education program in New York City, and the Founder of Young Child Learning which provides professional development to teachers and all professionals working with young children. He consults with professionals and parents on the challenges they face in helping young children achieve their full potential. Dr. Mesh is the author of upcoming book Tapas: Tasty Inspirational Poems(www.inspire.nyc).

Cancellation Policy:

If you cancel within 30 days before the event, the registration fee is not refundable. However, you will receive a credit for the registration fee which can be applied to another Young Child Learning event within the following 12 months. The processing fee is non-refundable.

Special Accommodations or Requests.

Individuals with disabilities in need of special accommodations should contact the Admin, Cari Laroza at (212) 787-9700 ext. 3330 to make a request. The Admin will work with the team to provide the necessary accommodations. Requests for special accommodations must be made at least a month prior to the webinar date. Once accommodations are found, the Admin will confirm need for accommodations. Once the individual confirms, the special accommodations will be secured. If the individual finds that he or she is no longer in need of the accommodations, he or she must contact the Admin a week before the webinar date.

Grievance Policy & Procedure

Young Child Learning will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants. The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of Young Child Learning. All grievances must be submitted in writing (via e-mail or mail) within 30 days of the end of the webinar date. Any supporting documents must be included with the submitted complaint. For all grievances, contact information (name, phone number, and email) must be provided in the case that the Young Child Learning team may need clarification.

Submit complaints in writing to Young Child Learning, 505 8th Avenue, Floor 12A Room 02, New York, NY 10018 or via email at learn@youngchildlearning.com. If you have any additional questions or concerns, contact Cari Laroza at (212) 787-9700 ext. 333 or at learn@youngchildlearning.com

This webinar is presented by Young Child Learning & sponsored by Los Niños Services.

About Young Child Learning

Young Child Learning (YCL) organizes Early Childhood Webinars. The mission of YCL is to help all early childhood professionals learn, grow, and help young children get a good start in life and achieve their full potential. YCL carries on the tradition of the Young Child Expo and Conference.

About Los Niños Services

Los Niños Services is an award-winning multilingual agency that has been serving young children with developmental delays and autism for 25 years. Los Niños is one of the leading early chilhood special education providers in NYC and surrounding communities. Los Niños serves all children and families from all communities providing services such as the Early Intervention Program, Preschool Special Education, & Private Services/ABA Private Insurance Services.

If you have further questions, contact Cari Laroza (Administrator) at learn@youngchildlearning.com

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