Playing to Learn in Early Childhood Classrooms

Define different methods of play, and understand how play supports student learning across different skills and subject areas.
About this Event

Playing to Learn in Early Childhood Classrooms

Date: September 9, 2025 (7-8:15PM EST)
Speaker: Isabella Sperduto
Hosted by: Dr. Scott Mesh
Format: Online Webinar

- 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)
○ 1.0 ASWB CE Credits (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:
In this webinar, participants teachers and therapists will have an opportunity to define the different methods of play, and understand how play supports student learning across different skills and subject areas. They will identify how to engage in play to drive student learning and apply this learning by observing a video of a teacher supporting student play to identify strategies the teacher uses, and how they might coach the teacher to engage further. Participants will explore how play can be a powerful tool for fostering creativity, problem-solving, and social-emotional development in young children. They will also gain insight into the benefits of purposeful play in early childhood classrooms and learn to recognize the specific conditions that foster effective learning through play. The webinar will offer practical examples of how teachers can create environments that encourage exploration and experimentation. By examining different types of play, participants will deepen their understanding of the role of play in cognitive and linguistic development. They will leave the session with actionable strategies to implement play-based learning effectively and intentionally in their own classrooms.

Objectives:
The participants will be able to…
1. Explain the value of play in an early childhood classroom.
2. Describe the conditions and methods of play that support student learning.
3. Identify strategies that support purposeful play and student learning.

Speaker's Bio
Isabella Sperduto is the Director of Partnerships in NYC at AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation. In her current work, she supports the launch, development, and coaching of NYC partner programs and is passionate about supporting schools to cultivate joyful and impactful pre-K programs for all children. She is excited to continue building a shared learning community for the network of preK partners this year. Isabella has worked in education for 14 years as a teacher, school leader, and program director. Prior to joining AppleTree as a Resident Principal, she worked as a Dean of Teaching and Learning at a public school in Brooklyn that she co-founded. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Georgetown University before joining the Teach for America corps in NYC, where she taught first grade and Kindergarten. She went on to earn her Master’s of Education from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education in 2016 with a special focus on Human Development and Psychology.

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 [email protected]. If you have any additional questions or concerns, contact Cari Laroza at (212) 787-9700 ext. 333 or at [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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