CL22 - LS-A1, Introductory-Level: Nurturing Problem Solvers: Supporting Early Math Skills In A Toddler/Preschool Setting

Rebecca Parlakian serves as Senior Director of Programs at ZERO TO THREE where she directs a project portfolio related to child development, parenting, home visiting, and high quality teaching. She has also developed five early childhood curricula, including the Early Connections parent education program; Problem Solvers, an early STEM curriculum; and Word Wonders, an early language and literacy curriculum. Rebecca holds a Master’s degree in infant/toddler special education from the George Washington University, where she taught for a decade as an adjunct professor.

Jie-Qi Chen, Ph.D., is Barbara T. Bowman Professor of Early Childhood Education, Funding Executive Director of Early Teaching and Learning Academy, and Funder of Early Math Collaborative at Erikson Institute.  A teacher first, she taught toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners as well as elementary and middle school students.  For the last 30 years, her main effort has focused on teacher professional development.  Dr. Chen has had a long and distinguished career in the early childhood field and has earned an international reputation as an expert in early math education, educational implications of multiple intelligence theory, classroom assessment, and teacher professional development.