Fostering Spatial Skills through Playful Hands-on and Physical Learning Activities

Presented by Dr. Ashley Lewis-Presser

1 HOUR | SELF-PACED | NON-INTERACTIVE | RECORDED JANUARY 2025

This presentation summarizes the research-based preschool spatial skills development program, funded by the National Science Foundation, and developed in collaboration with EDC and WGBH. The program, part of the Early Math with Gracie & Friends curriculum, integrates playful, hands-on, physical activities, books, and selective technology use—including augmented reality (AR) and collaborative tablet apps—to foster spatial orientation knowledge in young children aged 4-5. It emphasizes the importance of spatial skills for future math achievement and STEM interest, highlighting that these skills are malleable and underrepresented in preschool curricula. The curriculum includes an 8-week module with over 20 classroom activities and digital experiences, alongside a family guide to bridge school and home learning.

This course is for Early Childhood Teachers, Therapists, and other Professionals who work with young children.

Get access to this course for 6 months and obtain a CEU certificate for $19.

PURCHASE THIS COURSE ($19)

Objectives

The participants will be able to…

1. Describe Early Childhood STEM concepts that enhance developmentally-appropriate practice.

2. Apply STEM concepts to lesson plans.
3. Create lesson plans and activities that cater to students’ needs and develop STEM skills such as collecting, recording, and discussing data.

Agenda

1. Introduction to Preschool Spatial Thinking
2. Example Hands-on Experiences
3. Digital Tools To Foster Engagement:
4. Research Findings & Wrap Up

DURATION: 1 HOUR, 2 MINUTES

This Webinar offers the following CE Credits/Hours:

1.0 CTLE CONTACT HOURS

New York State Education Department, Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE)

Provider Code #23394

Approval Period: 3/29/22 - 3/29/2027

Young Child Learning is recognized by the New York State Education Department's Office of Teaching Initiatives as an approved sponsor of CTLE for Professional Classroom Teachers, School Leaders and Level III Teaching Assistants.

1.0 NYSED SW CONTACT HOURS

New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work (NYSED SW)

Provider Code #0365

Approval Period: 8/31/25 - 8/31/28

Young Child Learning is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. Young Child Learning maintains responsibility for the program. Social work professionals should contact their regulatory board to confirm course approval for continuing education credits.

1.0 NASP CE CREDITS

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

Provider Code #1111

Approval Period: 4/1/25 - 4/1/28

This workshop provides NASP CPD credit for school psychologists. Young Child Learning is approved by NASP (National Association of School Psychologists) to offer continuing education for school psychologists. Young Child Learning maintains responsibility for the program. Contact Young Child Learning with any questions or concerns at (212) 787-9700 ext. 3330 or via email at [email protected].

PURHCASE THIS WEBINAR ($19)

How to obtain your certificate:

You MUST watch all the video lessons. Afterwards, you will automatically be given access to the post-test and the evaluation form.
You MUST pass the post-test (75% passing grade). You are able to take the test multiple times until you pass.
You MUST answer and submit the evaluation form.

You will receive your certificate within 1-12 business days after fulfilling the above requirements via email.

Contact [email protected] for any issues/concerns.

Speakers' Biography

Dr. Ashley Lewis Presser’s work focuses primarily on research and development related to early childhood STEM. Her research focuses on the development and testing of early childhood STEM interventions and the appropriate use of technology in these settings. She is currently the PI for an NSF-funded project to design and test data collection and analysis activities for preK students (4-5-year-olds) that leverage hands-on materials and a digital tool that collects data and creates visual data displays. The goal is to build specific math skills that are naturally engaging for young children (e.g., counting and categorizing) and provide a foundation for later mathematics competencies.

Host's Biography

Dr. Scott Mesh is the Director of Young Child Learning and the CEO and Co-Founder of Los Niños Services which serves 2,000 young children with special needs each year through homecare and center services. He is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience working with young children and their families and is an expert on assessing young children for developmental disabilities and autism. He has helped thousands of parents over the years make the transition to gaining help for their children through early childhood special education services. He is a leader in early childhood development and working effectively with parents.

PURCHASE THIS WEBINAR ($19)

Cancellation Policy

All purchases of recorded courses are final and non-refundable. Should you have any questions about your registration, access, or technical questions please contact our Administrator, Cari Laroza, at this email [email protected]. Thank you!

System Requirements

You can access this webinar from various devices and platforms, on both PC and Mac desktops/laptops, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices. Our system requirements for these follow below.

Minimum system requirements

Browser: The latest Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or Opera for desktop/laptop
A broadband connection with a minimum speed of 5 Mbps

PC specific requirements

Platform: Windows 8.1 or higher with the latest updates installed
RAM: 4GB or more
Video: Graphics output capability
Sound: Sound output capability

Mac specific requirement

Platform: Mac OS X 10.12 or higher with the latest updates installed
RAM: 4GB or more
Video: Graphics output capability
Sound: Sound output capability

Mobile specific requirements

iOS 15.0 and above
Android 7.0 and above

Grievance Policy & Procedure

Young Child Learning will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants.

The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of Young Child Learning. All grievances must be submitted in writing (via e-mail or mail) within 7 days after purchase of the webinar. Any supporting documents must be included with the submitted complaint.

For all grievances, contact information (name, phone number, and email) must be provided in the case that the Young Child Learning team may need clarification.

Submit complaints in writing to Young Child Learning, 505 8th Avenue, Floor 12A Room 02, New York, NY 10018 or via email at [email protected].

Special Accommodations or Requests

Individuals in need of special accommodations should contact the Admin, Cari Laroza at (212) 787-9700 ext. 3330 to make a request. Include name, contact info, webinar details, and accommodation needs. Our team will review requests and respond within 7-12 business days. Confidentiality is maintained. Compliance with ADA is assured.

Requests for special accommodations must be made prior to purchasing the webinar.

Individuals will be informed if the request can be accommodated. Once the individual confirms, the special accommodations will be secured. If the individual finds that they no longer need of the accommodations, they must inform the Admin.