Educators and Community Organizations Discuss Early Childhood Best Practices at Niagara University Summit

Niagara University's Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement welcomed educators and members of community organizations to the 2025 Early Childhood Summit on Oct. 25. The event, which was generously funded by the Peter and Elizabeth Tower Foundation, focused on collective impact for early learners and fostered collaboration among the participants.

"Our collective contributions build the most comprehensive systems for lasting impact," said Rhonda Bivins-Talley, executive director of the Levesque Institute. "The summit brought educators, community partners, and parents together to share innovative ideas, lived experiences, and best practices-strengthening the foundations of development and learning in early childhood. Events like these, working with NU students and faculty, advance Levesque's mission and bring Niagara's Vincentian values to life."

Anthony Toombs Sr., founder of The Life is Good Playmaker Project, delivered the morning keynote address, "The Power of a Playful Mindset." Using storytelling and science, Toombs shared why play is the most powerful tool to tackle the growing mental health crisis.

The afternoon's keynote address, "Collective Action for Early Childhood: What the Data Tells Us and What We Can Do About It," was given by Sheri Scavone, CEO of the WNY Women's Foundation.

The day also featured a number of workshops on topics including:

• The Pyramid Model - Gimme Five: The Big Five Practices to Prevent Challenging Behaviors
• Developmental Milestones/Components of Pre-school and Special Education Evaluation
• Cultivating Joy, Connection, and Communication Through Play
• Partners in Learning: Empowering Teachers to Engage Parents
• Building Strong Foundations: The Science of Reading in Early Childhood
• Chew and Chat: Conversations During Mealtimes
• Beyond the Page: Critical Thinking and Social Justice in Picturebooks
• Supporting Neurodivergent Students with Self-Regulation & Classroom Strategies