Fourth Annual Summit

Let's TALK About It:

Joyful Learning

July 24, 2026 | 9 AM - 3:30 PM

Montgomery Marriott Prattville
Hotel & Conference Center

2500 Legends Circle,
Prattville, AL 36066

Feed Me Words will host the fourth annual Let’s TALK About It Coaching Summit in Prattville, Alabama on Friday, July 24, 2026. The theme of this year’s event is Joyful Learning. The Summit offers a unique platform for attendees to engage with leading experts in early language & literacy. Through insightful sessions, these experts will deliver timely and practical knowledge, empowering participants to elevate their current efforts, and amplify the impact of their work. This event is designed for Coaches, Mentors, Child Care Administrators, Teachers & Teacher’s Aides, Social Workers, Home Visitors, Early Interventionists, Nurses, and other professionals in early childhood education.

Registration Now Open

In previous years, Feed Me Words was proud to offer this Summit to attendees at no cost. However, due to rising expenses, we will be implementing a modest $25 attendance fee per person this year. We’ve made every effort to keep this fee as low as possible, and it will help offset the costs of food and facilities so we can continue to provide a high-quality experience for all participants.

Registration will close on July 10, 2026 and is limited to the first 200 registrants.

Schedule

8:30-9:00 AM Registration
9:00-10:30 AM Opening Session
10:30-10:45 AM Break
10:45-11:45 AM Breakout Session
11:45-12:45 PM Lunch
12:45-1:45 PM Breakout Session
1:45-2:00 PM Break
2:00-3:30 PM Closing Session

Our Keynote Speakers

Child-led Play: Creating Pathways to Early Literacy

Play does not have to connect directly to a literacy-based activity, to support literacy. In fact, a child cannot play without building the foundations that will support them when it comes to reading and writing. So, let’s embrace all types of play! Discover how young children develop literacy through child-led play and learn to create an environment that supports that. Build your confidence in explaining how play lays the groundwork for literacy and effectively prepares children for school.

Stacy Benge is an early childhood speaker who approaches learning in the early years with practicality and common sense. Standing firm on the truth that children learn best through simple, authentic experiences, she advocates for child-led play to build solid foundations for child development. In addition to a Master of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies, Stacy spent 10 years in the early childhood classroom teaching children ages birth to five. As she has for the past 20 years, Stacy shares her enthusiasm for child development with fellow early learning professionals through enlightening and informative presentations.

Stacy is the author of The Whole Child Alphabet: How Young Children Actually Develop Literacy published by Exchange Press. Located in Texas, she presents virtually, locally, nationally, and internationally.

Building Brains with Music

From the moment the fetus’ heart beats, every baby is musical. Repeatedly, research has shown that music is the only activity that utilizes the entire brain. Combining that with knowing that the early years are the ones where we make the most difference, this workshop demonstrates through movement and activity how to use music to build brains to create children that are competent, capable, and confident.

Maryann “Mar.” Harman is a music teacher, performer, composer, educational consultant and founder of the brain-based, internationally respected Music with Mar. Program. She has produced over 40 children’s recordings and won several national awards, including two Parents’ Choice Awards, a John Lennon Songwriter’s Award, and two Children’s Music Web Awards. She has written music for Kaplan, School Specialty, and Dr. Becky Bailey’s “I Love You Rituals”. The Music with Mar. catalog of songs can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube, and other streaming services as well as on the Music with Mar. website. Maryann has done a TEDx Talk with the same title as her book, Building Brains with Music. You can watch it on YouTube. Maryann continues to work with children, write songs, and travel to share her love and knowledge about music and brain research.