Heart & Hand
a conference for educators, parents, and caregivers
"Heart and Hand" is a 1-day conference being hosted by Wellan Institute to highlight the importance of emotional connection ("heart") and the link between body and mind ("hand") in supporting child development and learning, particularly among children ages 15 months - 6 years old.
March 29th, 2025
8:30 AM to 2:00 PM Conference Registration: $50
Wellan Montessori School
Information
There are so many conferences in and around Boston, but none o er this type of Montessori-inspired, hands-on opportunity for educators and parents to get more actively and joyfully involved in young children’s lives. Heart and Hand is also ideal for grandparents, au pairs, grad students and assistant teachers… just about anyone looking to increase their awareness and practice of Montessori methods in their everyday lives with kids.
Audience
This dynamic event will feature informative presentations and interactive sessions designed to address the varied needs and interests of adults who spend time with children ages 2-6.
Sessions are catered specifically to classroom teachers and assistants, daycare professionals, in-home caregivers, parents, and grandparents. College students interested in preschool education are also welcome.
Topics
Sessions will focus on educational principles and easy-to-implement practices that will expand your understanding of child development and enhance your interactions with children in ways that support their development. There’s something for everyone: from educator-focused sessions like Introducing a Second Language in the Toddler Classroom to Navigating Challenging Toddler Behavior, which equips caregivers with emotional regulation strategies they can employ with toddlers at home.
Registration
Scan below to register. Conference regristration costs $50, and includes:
• Access to All Conference Sessions
• Morning Co ee and Refreshments
• Boxed Lunch
• Learning Materials
• Certificates of Attendance
8:00 AM
8:20 AM - 8:45 AM
8:30 AM - 8:55 AM
8:55 AM - 9:00 AM
9:00 AM - 9:55 AM
10:00 AM - 10:55 AM
Schedule
Early Check-In
Morning Mini Sessions (optional)
Explore our classrooms or attend one of three morning mini-sessions
Check-In / Co ee & Mingling
Meet and mingle while you enjoy a cup of co ee and light breakfast refreshments
Welcome
Presented by Priya Venkateswaran, Director of Wellan Institute
Opening Keynote
The Genius of Maria Montessori
Presented by Beth Black, Head of Wellan Montessori School
Conference Sessions (choose one of four)
Ready, Set, Move! with Kayla Sti er
Introducing a Second Language in the Toddler Classroom with Anny Espiritu
The Montessori Practical Life Curriculum for Ages 3-6 with Priya Venkateswaran Curating a Diverse Children's Book Collection with Sachi é Karmacharya & Elisabeth Gomez
11:00 AM - 11:55 AM
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
12:40 PM - 1:20 PM 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Conference Sessions (choose one of four)
Navigating Challenging Toddler Behavior with Abby Lapan
The Montessori Language Curriculum for Ages 3-6 with Amanda Cusanno
Teaching the Elements of Art in Early Childhood with Vanessa Irzyk Strategies for Creating an Inclusive Classroom with Sachi é Karmacharya & Elisabeth Gomez
Lunch
Boxed lunches provided by Wellan Institute
Conference Sessions (choose one of four)
Multi-Sensory Story Time Activities for Early Literacy Learning with Naomi Shmueli
The Montessori Math Curriculum for Ages 3-6 with Sandra Fernandes
Recycling Art: Creative Projects with Environmental Benefits with Merav Rosen
Using an Anti-Bias Anti-Racism Lens to Choose Songs for Young Children with Katie Ng
Closing Presentation
Hearts & Hands: How Kids Make Sense of the World
Presented by Beth Black, Head of Wellan Montessori School
Sessions
Ready, Set, Move!
KAYLA STIFFLER | Intended Audience: Anyone interested in child development
Little bodies are built for movement. For children ages 2-6, gross motor development is essential for building coordination, balance, core strength, and confidence.
Learn more about the varying sensory needs of young children. We’ll share creative ways to o er sensory-rich play options that meet the movement needs of toddlers and preschooler. Whether you decide to start building obstacle courses or hosting kitchen dance parties, you’ll leave with easy-to-implement ideas that develop essential skills and keep active kids safe.
Introducing a Second Language in the Toddler Classroom
ANNY ESPIRITU | Intended Audience: Toddler teachers
Research indicates that the sooner a child is introduced to a second language, the more easily they can acquire it. Interested in how you can share your language with toddlers?
We’ll delve into e ective methods for teaching a second language to children, emphasizing fun, consistency, and contextual learning. We will explore how familiar Montessori materials, songs, and movements can be utilized to promote language development. You’ll have the opportunity to watch video examples of a classroom in action, and engage in a real-time Spanish circle.
The Montessori Practical Life Curriculum for Ages 3-6
PRIYA VENKATESWARAN | Intended Audience: Anyone interested in Montessori education
Scooping. Pouring. Washing a baby doll. Slicing bananas. Curious about the educational value of these activities?
Join us for an overview of the Montessori Practical Life curriculum for ages 3-6. We’ll explore how these Montessori materials teach students Care of Self, Care of Environment, Grace and Courtesy, and Controlled Movement.
Sessions
Curating a Diverse Children's Book Collection
SACHI É KARMACHARYA & ELISABETH GOMEZ
Intended Audience: Anyone interested in children’s literature; DEIB focus
Young children are observant and curious. They notice di erences in skin color, gender expression, family structure, religious or cultural celebrations, and more. The right books can help them make sense of the diversity they see around them as well as introduce them to cultures and lifestyles unlike their own.
If you are interested in building a library of picture books that can help young children better understand and appreciate their own and others' identities, this is the session for you! We'll discuss the "mirrors, windows, sliding doors" metaphor that Rudine Sims Bishop, a children's literature professor at Ohio State University, developed to describe the di erent ways literature can help children build self-esteem, gain insight into others' lives, and develop empathy. We'll share some of our favorite titles as well as some useful criteria for making choices when adding to your collection.
Navigating Challenging Toddler Behavior
ABBY LAPAN | Intended Audience: Anyone interested in child development
Your darling toddler suddenly loses it. You are clearly a monster because you cut a sandwich the “wrong” way or poured juice in a green cup instead of the blue cup. Ugh. Now what?!
We can all use new ideas and practice in helping toddlers learn emotional self-regulation and social norms. In this session we will explore the underlying causes of challenging behaviors, including frustration, communication di culties, and the need for independence. You will learn practical, evidence-based techniques to promote positive behavior, set clear expectations, and implement consistent discipline strategies. We will also discuss how to model emotional regulation and foster a nurturing environment that encourages healthy social and emotional development.
The Montessori Language Curriculum for Ages 3-6
AMANDA CUSANNO | Intended Audience: Anyone interested in Montessori education
Sandpaper Letters. Moveable Alphabet. Metal Insets. Curious how students use these Montessori materials to learn pre-reading and pre-writing skills?
Join us for an overview of the Montessori language curriculum for early childhood. We’ll explore how Montessori students are introduced to the correlation between sounds and shapes (which they come to recognize as letters), how they learn to combine letters to form words, and ways they develop the fine motor skills needed to draw letter shapes so they can begin to write.
Sessions
Teaching the Elements of Art in Early Childhood
VANESSA IRZYK | Intended Audience: Preschool teachers, Art teachers, others
Young children love to express themselves by making art through open-ended exploration with di erent artistic media. As teachers, we can build on their natural curiosity to introduce them to famous artists and demonstrate how di erent artistic elements create impact.
The seven “building blocks” of art are: line, shape, form, space, texture, value, and color. Artists use these elements to express themselves and communicate ideas through their artwork. In this session, we’ll explore ways to incorporate the fundamental elements of art and art appreciation into activities children enjoy.
Strategies for Creating an Inclusive Classroom
SACHI É KARMACHARYA & ELISABETH GOMEZ
Intended Audience: Teachers of ages 3-6; DEIB focus
Every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and empowered at school. But what does inclusivity actually look like in an early childhood classroom?
Join us for an exploration of ways to incorporate diverse perspectives into everyday classroom activities, di erentiate teaching strategies, and celebrate each child's unique individuality. You'll walk away with new actionable ideas and a reinvigorated commitment to building a culture of belonging in your classroom.
Multi-Sensory Story Time Activities for Early Literacy Learning
NAOMI SHMUELI | Intended Audience: Toddler teachers
“Once upon a time . . . the end.” If your classroom storytime only includes a read-aloud, your students are missing out on practicing some fundamental early literacy skills.
Learn how to structure an engaging, enjoyable storytime for toddlers that uses the five essential practices of early literacy: talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing. After reviewing sample story time plans, you’ll have time to design your own storytime or collaborate with others using a tested template.
Sessions
The Montessori Math Curriculum for Ages 3-6
SANDRA FERNANDES | Intended Audience: Anyone interested in Montessori education
Spindle Box. Sandpaper Numerals. Golden Beads. Curious how Montessori students learn to move from hands-on manipulatives to abstract math?
Join us for an overview of the Montessori math curriculum designed for young learners. We’ll explore how concrete materials foster a better grasp of mathematical concepts, strengthening neural pathways in children so they can transfer these concrete understandings into abstract equations.
Recycling Art: Creative Projects with Environmental Bene ts
Intended Audience: Adults who work with children ages 3-6 in a home or school setting
Are you snowed in and looking for projects to do with your children using items you already have at home? Are you a teacher looking for an engaging classroom project that promotes
If you want fun projects that encourage appreciation for the benefits of recycling, you’ve come to the right place. You will learn how to choose recycled materials, which types of cardboard are best for your project, and what tools and materials to use when working with recycled items. We’ll also discuss how to introduce a creative project that children can complete successfully, whether through independent exploration or by collaborating with an adult.
Using an Anti-Bias Anti-Racism Lens to Choose Songs for Young Children
KATIE NG | Intended Audience: Anyone interested in children’s music; DEIB focus
Are you unknowingly teaching young children songs that originate from minstrel shows, contain racially insensitive lyrics, or have other problematic histories?
Equip yourself with tools to apply an Anti-Bias Anti-Racism (ABAR) filter so you can make informed choices about which songs to include in your repertoire. In this session, you’ll learn to identify songs that may include adult themes inappropriate for young students, have questionable origin, or contain controversial meanings. Additionally, you’ll receive a curated list of songs that are suitable for young children.
the wise choice for montessori training
