Early Childhood Play Summit
Roots of Play: Growing Strong Futures
through Nature & Joy
August 26, 2025
Bellaboo's Play & Discovery Center | 2800 Colorado St, Lake Station, IN 46405
Are you looking to become a certified PLAY champion? Join us on August 26 for the Early Childhood Play Summit where you can gain valuable insights into the most current and advanced early childhood programming available. This is a unique opportunity to partake in a variety of sessions, including the engaging Invitation to Play, effective strategies for Hosting Early Childhood Events, tips on Fundraising & Sponsorships, and much more.
Agenda
1A: Health First: Chronic Illness in Youth and Childhood Obesity
Linda Curley – Purdue Extension Lake County
Discover fun and creative strategies to help children build lifelong healthy routines. This session will highlight healthy eating and practical approaches to boost physical activity throughout early care and education settings, supporting whole-child wellness from the ground up!
Speaker:
Linda Curley is a Health and Human Sciences Educator for Purdue University Extension. She holds a Master’s Degree in Child Development and Family Sciences from Purdue University. Prior to becoming an Educator, Linda worked with Purdue’s Family Nutrition Program and delivered nutrition education to youth and adults in underserved communities. Curley has been awarded the 2016 Educator of the Year Award for Higher Education from the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children, the 2019 Purdue Cooperative Extension Specialists’ Association Team Award for the Succession Planning Team, the 2018 Ann Hancock Award for Co-Parenting for Successful Kids, the 2021 Purdue University Corps of Engagement Award for Families Tackling Tough Times Together Steering Committee Member, and the 2022 Purdue University College of Agriculture Team Award for the Purdue Extension Succession Planning Team. Curley works closely with early childhood educators to strengthen skills to meet the needs of our most vulnerable populations. She currently serves Lake County, Indiana providing community education and outreach. Her overall focus includes programs highlighting the importance of health and wellness, foods and nutrition, human development and family resource management.
1B: The Growing Brain - Everyday Play
Jennifer Lundin – SPARK Learning Lab
What is happening in our brains when we play? This session will explore the development of play in children, the difference between free and guided play, and the core skills that are developed through play. Learn about what you can do to promote communication, collaboration, critical thinking, content, creativity, and confidence in play skills in children ages birth to five and beyond!
Speaker:
Jennifer is a Trainer with SPARK Learning Lab and has an extensive background in early education within a variety of settings. At SPARK, we design and deliver inclusive, anti-bias, and rigorous approaches to eliminate the gaps between young children’s inherent potential and their achievement in school and life. With our partners, we accelerate child and family outcomes that honor the aspirations and cultures of the communities we serve.
2A: Sensory Serenity: Crafting Calm & Cozy Play Spaces
Discover how to create soothing environments through sensory play. In this session, you'll learn practical strategies and activities to design calm, cozy spaces that promote relaxation, focus, and emotional well-being. Perfect for educators, caregivers, and anyone looking to foster a peaceful atmosphere!
Speaker:
Paula is the founder of Bridges of Possibilities, a pediatric therapy clinic in Northwest, IN. She is also the founder of the MKC, INC, a non-for-profit organization that provides resources and training for families throughout Northwest, Indiana. Paula is also the founder of camp HYPE-Helping Young People Excel-a summer camp focused on building skills for children of all-abilities. Paula is the owner of We Rock the Spectrum- Merrillville, a kids sensory gym for children of all-abilities! Paula, is the author of the book entitled, Sensory Integration, “Now that makes sense!” featured in the Autism Digest and Atlanta Georgia’s Trendsetter Magazine. Paula is a columnist for the Autism Digest. Paula is a registered occupational therapist with 25 years experience with a special focus in the pediatric and geriatric population. She has a combined holistic and nurturing approach to help children/adults maximize their functional independence and achieve developmental outcomes. She enjoys volunteering in community outreach activities, performing professional training, faith-based training and speaking engagements. Paula obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Chicago State University. She was also awarded a Master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix. Paula is a certified autism disorder clinical specialist (ASDCS). Paula is a Certified Advanced Brain Technology provider from “The Listening Program” and a DIR-Floortime Provider. Paula is a graduate of Bill Winston’s- Joseph Business School (2015) Salutatorian.
A native of Gary, Indiana, Paula is a wife and mother of three children. She enjoys spending time with her family, writing and nature. Paula attends Faith Temple of Christ where she serves as one of the leaders for the children’s and marriage ministry while empowering and guiding individuals to reach their full potential.
2B: Learning Forum: Accommodating Abilities in Play
Jennifer Lundin – SPARK Learning Lab
Explore developmentally appropriate strategies for adapting your learning environment to support a variety of developmental needs. We will discuss practical strategies for adapting learning environments, materials, and activities, as well as the difference between adaptations and modifications. Connect with peers and gain valuable resources to support every child's success!
Speaker:
Jennifer is a Trainer with SPARK Learning Lab and has an extensive background in early education within a variety of settings. At SPARK, we design and deliver inclusive, anti-bias, and rigorous approaches to eliminate the gaps between young children’s inherent potential and their achievement in school and life. With our partners, we accelerate child and family outcomes that honor the aspirations and cultures of the communities we serve.
12:15-1:45: Keynote Presentation - Roots of Play: Growing Strong Futures through Nature & Joy
Jen Cullerton Johnson – Green Literacy
Jen Cullerton Johnson is an award-winning children’s author, educator, and environmental advocate. She teaches for Chicago Public Schools, writes about nature and social justice, and founded Books on Benches, a nonprofit bringing books to community spaces. She is the co-author of The Green Literacy Handbook (Solution Tree 2025) a book for educators that helps young people think, read and write critically about environmental issues.
Her children's books, including Seeds of Change (2011) and its Spanish edition Semillas de Cambio (2024), and The Story of An Environmentalist (2019) inspire young readers to care for the planet.
With nearly many years of teaching experience, Jen shares her expertise at conferences nationwide, blending storytelling with environmental education to empower the next generation of changemakers.
3A:Talking is Teaching - Laura Green – First Things First Porter County
Laura Green – First Things First Porter County
Learning begins at birth! When you talk, read, and sing with your children—even before they can use words—you’re building their brains and helping to prepare them for success in school and beyond. To help, we’ve created fun tips and resources to help you talk, read, and sing with your child every day. Organizations, businesses, associations, government offices, and individuals can all play a big role in promoting the importance of talking, reading, and singing. Laura will point you to a library of free materials, all designed to support your efforts in promoting early brain development in your community.
Speaker:
Laura Green grew up in Northwest Indiana and has been passionate about working in the early childhood field for as long as she can remember (she got an early start by following in the footsteps of her mom, a Pre-K educator). She has worked, volunteered, and interned in a multitude of early childhood settings over the past 20 years including childcare centers, preschools, early intervention, and home visiting programs. Throughout this time, she has also enjoyed speaking to students or other groups of professionals about early childhood development and roles in the early childhood field.
Laura graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Early Intervention that specialized her to work with families and children from birth-3. She volunteered on the First Things First Early Learning Collaborative workgroups for over a year before starting her position as the Outreach Coordinator. Laura is thrilled to be working alongside so many amazing professionals serving families in our community to help make Porter County the best place to have and raise a baby.
3B: Seeds of Change/Semias de Cambio: Planting a Path to Peace - Jen Cullerton Johnson – Green Literacy
Jen Cullerton Johnson – Green Literacy
Seeds of Change shares how one woman changed the world by planting trees. Read the book, sing in Swahili, and create scratchboard art celebrating nature.
Speaker:
Jen Cullerton Johnson originally from Dune Acres, Indiana is the co-founder of Green Literacy and co-author of The Green Literacy Handbook. An award-winning children’s book author, her titles include Seeds of Change, Semillas de Cambio, and The Story of an Environmentalist. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, Jen integrates literacy, environmental justice, and critical thinking into her work, inspiring educators and young people alike to read, write, and act for sustainable change.
A
Note! Lake Station is on Central Time!
8:30AM - 9:00AM CST Breakfast and explore Bellaboo’s
9:00AM - 9:30AM CST Welcome, a word from our sponsors (Indiana Parks & Recreation Associate & RCX), ice breaker, etc.
9:30-12:00 Growing Up Wild - Curriculum Certification (#15 Spots Only)
Additional Cost: $15
9:30-10:45: Session 1A & 1B
Session 1A: Cultivating Everyday Wellness: Inspiring Healthy Habits in Young Learners - Linda Curley - Purdue Extension Lake County
Session 1B: The Growing Brain - Everyday Play - Jennifer Lundin – SPARK Learning Lab
11-12:15: Session 2A & 2B
Session 2A: Sensory Serenity: Crafting Calm & Cozy Play Spaces - Paula Simpson
Session 2B: Learning Forum: Accommodating Abilities in Play - Jennifer Lundin – SPARK Learning Lab
12:15-1:45: Lunch & Keynote Presentation
Roots of Play: Growing Strong Futures through Nature & Joy - Jen Cullerton Johnson – Green Literacy
1:45-3 PM: Session 3A & 3B
Session 3A: Talking is Teaching - Laura Green – First Things First Porter County
Session 3B: Seeds of Change/Semias de Cambio: Planting a Path to Peace - Jen Cullerton Johnson – Green Literacy
3-4 PM: Loose Parts – Nature Lab Exploration & Gifts-to-Go
Presented By:
Sponsored By:
Growing Up Wild - Curriculum Certification
This session will be from 9:30- Noon
(#15 Spots Only)
Additional Cost: $15
Growing Up WILD is an early childhood education curriculum that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, Growing Up WILD provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about the natural world and lifelong social and academic skills.
Presenter Bio
Caryn Corriere – Lake County Parks
Getting "paid to play outside", Caryn Corriere has been working in the environmental education and nature play field for over 25 years, 7 of those with Lake County Parks. Experiencing deserts, mountains, seaside shores and more, she has a great appreciation for the diversity and wonder of the natural world and loves sharing it with others, especially little explorers.
