Lecture & tour

Early Childhood Education: the importance of nutrition and trauma-informed care of children

Presentation and tour by AbbI Kruse

The lecture will be followed by a tour of The playing field preschool

November 6, 2023

Lecture: 1:30 pm to 2:30  pm

Tour: 2:30 pm to 3:30  pm

at Bethany United Methodist Church

           3910 Mineral Point Road

           Madison, WI, 53705   

About Abbi Kruse

Abbi Kruse is the founder and Executive Director of The Playing Field in Madison, Wisconsin. The Playing Field is nationally known and serves children from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds, including those experiencing homelessness alongside those from far more advantaged families. Abbi is passionate about providing high quality early education and care to children from all backgrounds and has extensive experience working with diverse populations. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and has nearly completed a Master’s Degree in Curriculum Development with an Early Childhood Emphasis.

Abbi is also a Conscious Discipline® Certified Instructor and travels throughout the country to train early educators on social emotional learning.

About The Playing Field

"The Playing Field is partnering with local public and private agencies to provide a child care and early education program in Madison. We seek to create a unique model that will educate children experiencing homelessness right alongside children from more advantaged backgrounds. We believe this model will be a step toward minimizing the disparity between white and minority children.

"Traditional education settings are based on a factory model where each child receives standardized care and instruction. The Playing Field is built, however, on the School Family model where each child can have their individual needs met – even if those needs are very different. Equity isn’t about giving each child the same thing but about giving each child what he or she needs to be successful.

"Play Based Learning – We know so much more about how young children develop. Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs should be intentionally designed around this knowledge. Programs modeled after schools for older children expect children to sit, pay attention, and learn. Yet, we know young children learn through exploration. Our name, The Playing Field, has two meanings. First, we want to level the playing field in early education. Second, we are committed to the rights of children to play."

There will be an opportunity for Q&A after Abbi's presentation and a tour of the Preschool.

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

Do you have questions about the lecture content or about PLATO?

Please contact Rod McKenzie, 608-444-5935 .