Thank you to the more than 1,800 Early Childhood Professionals who joined us for the 53rd Conference on the Young Years (CYY)! 

This year’s event continued its strong tradition of offering meaningful learning opportunities for those working with children from birth through third grade and their families. With over 120 breakout sessions and 52 exhibitor booths, attendees had access to a wide range of resources designed to inspire educators, encourage lifelong learning, and support ongoing professional growth. 

We were excited to welcome an outstanding lineup of keynote speakers including Dr. Jessica Cabeen, Jill Molli, Steve Spangler, Amy Nelson, and Dr. Anne Meeker Watson. 

The conference also featured the 4th annual gala, hosted by the Missouri Association for the Education of Young Children, which drew more than 1,000 attendees. 

Mark your calendars for the 2027 Conference on the Young Years, tentatively scheduled for March 4–6, 2027.

A call for presentation proposals for the 2027 conference will open in May 2026. Watch the CYY webpage for updates.