Foundations of
Early Childhood PBL
“I learned how engaging PBL can be and how much power it gives to the kids that are learning through the process. It provides them so much ownership over their own learning and allows them to be the little geniuses that they are!”
—Brooke H.
Pre-kindergarten teacher
I am so excited to embed and model PBL as a teaching strategy in my undergraduate ECE methods course. I know this will be both meaningful and valuable as these students learn about PBL methods themselves and then apply their new learning in their practicum classrooms, who are also utilizing PBL! So many opportunities for valuable models and connections. Sara was absolutely fantastic and went above and beyond to facilitate meaningful engagement and challenge new ways we could enhance existing practices within our classrooms.
— Dr. Allison Wilson, Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education
Workshop Description
Our Foundations Workshop Series is a two-part professional learning experience designed to support early childhood educators in understanding, designing, and implementing high-quality Project-Based Learning (PBL). Part One introduces the core principles of learner-centered, inquiry-driven practice and guides participants through the early stages of project planning. Part Two builds on this foundation by exploring how to deepen project work through intentional integration of literacy, social-emotional learning, reflection, assessment, and public products. Educators can attend both parts together or separately, depending on their needs and experience.
Part One
This full-day session introduces core principles of Project Based Learning in early childhood. Educators will learn how to use classroom observations, student questions, and interests to guide meaningful project work. Participants will begin to thoughtfully plan one project and explore strategies to sustain inquiry and integrate PBL into existing routines and classroom structures.
Workshop Focus:
Constructivist principles and learner-centered practices
Leveraging observations and interests for project planning
Integrating PBL with your curriculum and schedule
Sustaining inquiry and redefining "research"
Introducing the EC PBL Project Planning Outline
Part Two: Deepening Your Practice
This session builds upon the first, guiding participants to refine their project planning through deeper dives into literacy, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), assessment, and public products. Educators leave with strategies and tools to elevate engagement, support development, and document learning in authentic ways.
Workshop Focus:
Embedding literacy-rich experiences in project work
Supporting SEL through collaborative learning
Facilitating reflection, feedback, and revision
Designing authentic assessments and public products
Continued use of the EC PBL Project Planning Outline
What You Can Expect…
Before…
Pre-Workshop meeting with your facilitator to learn more about your needs, the participants, workshop timing and whether you want to hold your workshop virtually or in-person
Exclusive Routledge discount code for our EC PBL book, Implementing Project Based Learning in Early Childhood
Join our EC PBL Facebook Group
During…
Expert facilitation from one of the co-authors of our book
Content specific to young learners
Strategies, tools and resources.
Access to our EC PBL Project Planning Outline
After…
Certificate of Completion
On-going access to the EC PBL team
On-going support from the members of our Facebook Group
Access to our comprehensive ECPBL resource document