Early Learning Coalition of Manatee Hosts Transition to Kindergarten Training for Local Educators
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County hosted its annual Transition to Kindergarten professional development event on Saturday, October 4, at Manatee Technical College, bringing together approximately 130 early childhood educators for a morning of learning and collaboration.
The event began with a breakfast and keynote presentation by certified school counselors Shawn Griffon and Candace Shim, titled “Little Hearts, Big Feelings: A Guide to Emotional Regulation.” Their session focused on the importance of helping young children recognize, understand, and manage emotions—an essential skill for success in both school and life.
Following the keynote, attendees selected from a series of breakout sessions covering topics such as self-regulation, co-regulation, developmental milestones, emotional intelligence, and social-emotional learning. Each session was designed to provide educators with practical strategies that they can bring back to their classrooms to support children’s emotional growth and school readiness.
The Transition to Kindergarten initiative, led by the Early Learning Taskforce of Manatee County, aims to strengthen the bridge between preschool and kindergarten by equipping teachers with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to nurture the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally.
