Parking for Thursday Evening: The Summit begins at 4:00. You can use the Adams Center parking lot (LOT P on the map). The Passport app system is available to pay for short-term parking. If you are arriving at 5:00 or later, parking on campus is Free.
4/17 Friday Sessions: All Friday sessions will be held in the PJW College of Education, except for two held in adjacent buildings (signage will be displayed). Breakfast will begin at 8:00, and sessions will start promptly at 8:30.
4/18 Saturday Sessions: All Saturday sessions will take place in the PJW College of Education. Breakfast and registration will be available as early as 7:30 am. Sessions will begin at 8:15. Parking for Saturday Sessions: All parking is FREE. You may park anywhere on campus!
Travel: For those traveling from outside Missoula, book your hotel early! A limited number of discounted hotel rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown. You can use this link to book your rooms.Please usethe code ECE or call the hotel at 406-721-8550 and mention the code and ECE 4th Annual Summit.
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Understand how play functions as a serious learning strategy that supports cognitive development, self-regulation, literacy, and numeracy across Birth–3rd grade.
Explore aligned P–3 instructional practices that bridge early childhood and early elementary learning through shared language, routines, and developmental expectations.
Experience Ray’s “Diamond Model of Learning,” which frames curiosity, mistakes, and imagination as essential building blocks for deep understanding.
Gain practical, classroom-ready strategies for designing guided play and inquiry experiences that connect early learning and early grades.
Reflect on how joyful learning strengthens relationships, equity, and coherence across classrooms, schools, and community systems.
