2021 Symposium

Design Thinking: Developing Common Language

Virtual broadcast via Seattle, WA

KIDSQUEST CHILDREN’S MUSEUM (PHOTO BY LISA MERRILL)

We will ground the symposium in thoughts about how intention, planning and design thinking can benefit all users of a space, and how kids, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and the community will do better if the spaces they all use are well-designed.

The panel will begin forging the link between professionals in early learning and architecture. We’ll explore the inclusion of kids in the design process, and the creation a common language for collaboration through empathy, flexibility, and impact through design.

Speakers

Jeanne Vergeront, Vergeront Museum Planning

Tiffany Y’vonne, Mobilizing People for Social Impact

Divya McMillin, PhD, University of Washington Tacoma

Marlene Chen, Olson Kundig

Design Lens: Welcoming ALL Kids and Families

Virtual broadcast via Seattle, WA

MULTICULTURAL CHILD & FAMILY HOPE CENTER (PHOTO BY RACHEL HALL)

Inclusion has many facets in early learning, both explicit and implicit. As with many aspects of our daily lives, early learning spaces need to sharpen their focus on welcoming all children and their families, and on the process by which all voices are heard. And at a larger scale, we must ensure that ALL families - and all members of those families - have access to excellent resources during early childhood.

We will consider the role of practitioners, administrators, parents and designers in the development of environments that allow for equitable participation by members of diverse communities.

Speakers

Katie Walters-Krohn, University Child Development School

Gail Neal, Multicultural Children and Family Hope Center

Rebecca Kreth, Early Learning Consultant

Liz Bullard, Seattle Children’s PlayGarden

Dr. Debra Ren-etta Sullivan, PhD, author, Cultivating the Genius of Black Children [video]

Design Lens: Resilient People, Places and Programs

Virtual broadcast via Seattle, WA

TRUPANION MILLENIUM KIDS AT GEORGETOWN (ANJALI GRANT DESIGN)

Resilience is important at all scales. Facilities and programs must be designed to ensure that their facilities, operations and financial models are resilient and sustainable. Resilience must also be cultivated in individuals, in families and in classrooms.

This past year has highlighted our ability (or lack thereof) to pivot, be nimble and cultivate agility. What does it mean to design for resilience? What do spaces for young children look like when they are created with agility and flexibility in mind? What factors test our resilience, and how can we support each other as we prepare for the challenges to come?

Speakers

Jamie Bonnett, KidsQuest Children’s Museum

Anjali Grant, Anjali Grant Design

Sarah Lytle, Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network

Shannon Cruzen, Bertchi School

Design Partnerships: Dialogue Going Forward

Virtual broadcast via Seattle, WA

As we prepare to connect designers and early learning professionals, we will turn our attention to partnerships. We will consider partnerships that include the adults who lead and manage learning environments, as well as designers, builders, agencies, foundations, cities, counties, state governments, and of course the children themselves.

We will touch on the process of building partnerships, engaging design teams, and infusing everything you do with your mission, vision, values and core purpose in mind.

Speakers

Senator Claire Wilson, Washington State Legislature [Introduction]

Juanita Salinas-Aguila, Enterprise Community Partners Inc.

Michael Koetje, Former Early Childhood Center Director

Sally Knodell, Environmental Works

Susan Yang, Denise Louis Education Center

Matt Mazur-Hart, Department of Commerce

Aliza Yair, Washington State Department of Children Youth & Families

Meet the Panelists and Presenters

Jamie Bonnett

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, KIDSQUEST CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Anjali Grant

PRINCIPAL, ANJALI GRANT DESIGN LLC
Michael L Koetje

FORMER EARLY LEARNING DIRECTOR
Sarah Lytle

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PLAYFUL LEARNING LANDSCAPES ACTION NETWORK (PLLAN)
Jeanne Vergeront

PRINCIPAL, VERGERONT MUSEUM PLANNING
Divya McMillin, PhD

PROFESSOR & ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON TACOMA
Liz Bullard

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SEATTLE CHILDREN’S PLAYGARDEN
Rebecca Kreth

MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANT & ADVOCATE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
Marlene Chen

PRINCIPAL, OLSON KUNDIG
Malachi Genki and Tiffany Y'vonne

TALENTED BUILDER + FUTURE LEADER and COMMUNITY CULTIVATION PRACTITIONER
Gail Neal

DIRECTOR, MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN AND FAMILY HOPE CENTER
Matt Mazur-Hart

COMMUNITY FACILITES MANAGER, WA STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Sally Knodell

DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURE & COMMUNITY FACILITIES LEAD, ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS
Aliza Yair

CHILD CARE LICENSING CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT MANAGER, WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES
Katie Walters-Krohn

DIRECTOR, THE STUDIO AT UNIVERSITY CHILD DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL INFANT TODDLER PROGRAM
Juanita Salinas-Aguila

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, EARLY LEARNING, ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY PARTNERS, INC
Susan Yang

DIRECTOR, DENISE LOUIS EDUCATION CENTER
Shannon Cruzen

BERTSCHI SCHOOL
Debra Ren-etta Sullivan, PhD

AUTHOR, CULTIVATING THE GENIUS OF BLACK CHILDREN