On Friday, September 20th, Feed Me Words and Healthy Kids, Healthy Future—two signature programs of the Alabama Partnership for Children—hosted the Let’s TALK About It Summit: Small Conversations Build Big Futures. Held at the Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel & Conference Center, the free event drew 164 early care and education professionals who were treated to insightful presentations, a variety of exhibitors, fantastic door prizes and even complimentary massages to recharge throughout the day.
The summit kicked off with an inspiring keynote address titled Let’s TALK: Words to Last a Lifetime! delivered by Dr. Lucy Hart-Paulson, Ed.D., CCC-SLP. Dr. Paulson, a respected author and literacy expert, is known for her mission to bridge research and practice in early childhood education. As the co-author of influential works such as Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) for Early Childhood Educators, 2nd Edition, Building Early Literacy and Language Skills, and Good Talking Words, 2nd Edition, her keynote offered actionable insights into building strong oral language foundations. Attendees walked away with practical strategies and routines to support language development in young children.
The day’s breakout sessions spanned a diverse array of topics designed to empower educators with creative tools and approaches. Sessions included inclusive physical activities, dynamic movement play to inspire creativity, yoga for young children, Farm to Early Care and Education activities, and playful learning strategies. Other sessions highlighted essential areas like best practices in emergent literacy, the connection between early literacy and social justice, family engagement, culturally responsive classroom environments, and supporting dual language learners. Attendees also had the opportunity to share their own success stories during a networking lunch, fostering a collaborative spirit.
As the day came to a close, the final keynote speaker, Dr. Diane Craft, Professor Emerita from SUNY Cortland’s Physical Education Department, delivered a high-energy session that brought the audience members out of their chairs to participate in some active play. Dr. Craft, an expert in early childhood physical activity, is renowned for her work in promoting fun, developmentally appropriate active play. Her keynote, Lead Physical Activities to Develop Children’s Movement and Language Skills, encouraged educators to incorporate movement into their teaching to foster both language acquisition and motor skills. Through playful and inclusive activities, attendees learned how to nurture vocabulary, sequencing, and language comprehension while supporting children’s physical development.
For those who couldn’t attend this year’s summit, there are plenty of other opportunities to engage. The Alabama Partnership for Children invites everyone to stay connected by following their social media channels for updates on future professional development events. Next year’s Let’s TALK About It Summit is already scheduled for Friday, July 25, 2025, at the same venue. To stay informed and register early, sign up for the Feed Me Words and Healthy Kids, Healthy Future newsletters.
** The Alabama Partnership for Children extends its heartfelt thanks to the Alabama Department of Human Services, the primary funder of the Feed Me Words and Healthy Kids, Healthy Future programs. We also deeply appreciate the support of this year’s Summit sponsors: Kaplan Early Learning Company, Alabama Family Central, and the Wooley Institute for Spoken Language Education.
