The Marjie Collins Early Connections for Lifelong Learning Conference

November 14, 2026

Student Union Building
Texas Tech University

REGISTER

Presented by the Helen Jones Foundation and the Christine DeVitt & Helen DeVitt Jones Child Development Research Center at Texas Tech

You’re invited to our Early Childhood Conference—a day of learning, connection, and inspiration. This event is designed for educators, caregivers, students, parents, and anyone interested in building strong, meaningful relationships with children.

Participants will also have the chance to:

• Hear from experts at TTU and the South Plains community on topics such as moral development, infant sign language, movement and music, family wellness, outdoor learning environments, occupational therapy, developmentally appropriate practice, autism in the early childhood setting, and more.
• Tour the CDRC classroom environments and meet our teachers.

We look forward to seeing you there.

What to expect:

• Morning pastries and coffee (included in registration fee)
• Boxed sandwich lunch (included in registration fee)
• 6 clock hours of training

Sessions Offered:

• Trash to Treasure: Deepening Play and Experiences With Low to No Cost Materials
• The Developing Brain in a Digital World: Risks, Rewards, and Realities
• What are young children thinking?
• How to Become a More Effective Communicator & Prevent Miscommunication in the Workplace
• Growing Outside: Designing Outdoor Learning Environments for Infants and Toddlers
• SONGS, RHYMES, DANCES
• Gentle Parenting: Old Ideas, New Language, Emerging Evidence
• The Joys of Jazz in Early Childhood Music
• Managing Stress within the Classroom
• Learning is Loud: Why noise, movement, and mess don’t mean chaos
• More Than a Mess: The Magic of Sensory Bins
• The Attachment Dance | Understanding Infant and Adult Attachment
• Beyond Pinterest: From Picture-Perfect Projects to Child-Centered Art
• Born to Be Different: Understanding and Responding to Temperament
• Supporting Language Skills Through Rhythm and Movement
• Indoor Environments for Infants and Toddlers
• Experiences for Infants and Toddlers
• De-Escalating the Drama: How to Stop Accidentally Feeding Difficult Behaviors
• Beyond The Walls: Bringing Nature Into Children's Experiences
• Adventures in Autism: Diagnostic and Educational Eligibility and Supporting Autism in the Classroom
• Beyond the Bite: Learning Through Food Play

Attendee Registration

REGISTER

Please contact CDRC@ttu.edu or 806-742-3016 with questions.

Scholarship Application

We are pleased to offer a limited number of conference registration scholarships to individuals/programs that are not currently CCS providers. (CCS providers are eligible to request registration reimbursement through CCS- contact your mentor for any questions.)

Applications will be considered in the order they are received. You will receive notification of scholarship within 5 business days and will then be prompted to register for the conference.

APPLY

Registration Fees

• Early Registration - $40 (before October 30th)
• Registration - $50 (after October 30th or at the door)