The Future Starts Small:
Early Childhood Education in an Evolving World
March 16-18, 2026 
This session will be conducted in English only

Rethinking Early Learning in the 21st Century

• Emerging theories in early childhood pedagogy

• Shifting definitions of “school readiness”

• Learning through play vs. structured instruction

• Global benchmarks and their local implications

• Cultural perspectives on early learning

• Balancing tradition with innovation in classrooms

• Reimagining curriculum for modern learners

• The influence of neuroscience on early education policy

The Role of Technology in Early Development

• Screen time and child development research

• AI and adaptive learning tools for preschoolers

• Digital literacy in early education

• Using tech to bridge early learning gaps

• Ethics and equity in early tech exposure

• Training educators in responsible tech integration

• Balancing human connection and digital innovation

• Case studies of successful tech-supported programs

The Early Years Workforce: Training, Retention, and Well-Being

• Global teacher shortages in early childhood

• Professionalization of early childhood educators

• Supporting educator mental health and resilience

• Leadership pathways in early childhood settings

• Continuous professional development models

• Gender and pay equity in the early years sector

• Building collaborative teaching communities

• Recognition and reward systems in early education

Education and Children’s Rights

• The Voice of the Child: Listening and Participation

• Children’s Rights in Policy and Law

• Equity and Inclusion in Education

• Health, Well-Being, and Safety in Schools

• Teaching for Human Rights and Citizenship

• The Legacy of Janusz Korczak and Child-Centered Pedagogy

• Global Challenges and Children’s Rights

• Future Directions in Education and Children’s Rights

Health, Wellness, and the Whole Child

• The intersection of health and learning in early years

• Nutrition and cognitive development

• Childhood mental health and resilience

• Trauma-informed approaches in early education

• Physical activity and outdoor learning

• The impact of sleep and routine on learning outcomes

• Access to pediatric and developmental health services

• Creating wellness-oriented early learning environments

Inclusion, Equity, and Access

• Equity in early learning opportunities

• Supporting children with disabilities

• Socioeconomic barriers to early education

• Gender, language, and cultural inclusion

• Policy innovations for equitable access

• Anti-bias and anti-racist education in early years

• Inclusion through arts, play, and storytelling

• Measuring and sustaining inclusive practices

Policy, Leadership, and Global Perspectives

• Comparative education policy in early childhood

• International models of quality assurance

• Public and private sector partnerships

• The economics of investing in early education

• Global education goals and early learning alignment

• Evidence-based policymaking for the early years

• Leadership development in early childhood organizations

• The future of global early education networks

Innovation and the Future of Early Education

• Reimagining preschool design and environments

• Interdisciplinary collaboration in early learning

• Innovation labs and pilot programs

• Early education’s role in sustainable development

• Creative learning through arts and storytelling

• New models for funding and delivery

• Future skills: curiosity, empathy, and adaptability

• Visioning the next generation of early childhood systems