Conference on the Young Years (CYY)

Conference on the Young Years Logo

The 2026 Conference on the Young Years will be March 5-7, 2026 at Tan-Tar-A Conference Center in Osage Beach, Missouri.

The Call for Presentation Proposals for CYY 2026 is now open, please see below for information. Proposals are due by July 1, 2025.

Call for Proposals
The Office of Childhood is now accepting presentation proposals for the Conference on the Young Years (CYY) 2026. The conference dates are March 5-7, 2026, at Tan-Tar-A Conference Center in Osage Beach, MO. 
 
Our goal is to provide participants with the opportunity to discuss appropriate practices, share ideas, and receive developmental information on early childhood (Birth-3rd grade). All sessions should be one hour in length. 
 
If selected, the presenter receives complimentary registration. All other costs, including lodging, will be at the presenter’s expense. 
 
Please note that selling or promoting materials during the presentation is strictly prohibited.  Presenters may rent a booth space in the exhibit hall for this purpose. 

The deadline to submit a proposal is July 1, 2025. Fill out the electronic form here to submit a proposal via Wufoo.

Please contact 573-526-8273 with any questions. 
Conference Schedule

2026 Conference on the Young Years Schedule

Wednesday, March 4Thursday, March 5Friday, March 6Saturday, March 7
6:00 pm-8:30 pm Registration Desk Open7:00 am-6:00 pm Registration Desk Open7:00 am-6:00 pm Registration Desk Open6:15 am-7:45 am Breakfast
 8:00 am-8:15 am Announcements8:00 am-8:15 am Announcements7:00 am-11:00 am Registration Desk Open
 8:15 am-9:45 am Opening Keynote8:15 am -9:45 am Opening Keynote8:00 am-8:15 am Announcements
 10:05 am-11:05 am Breakout Session I10:05 am-11:05 am Breakout Session V8:15 am-9:45 am Opening Keynote
 

11:20 am-12:20 pm Breakout Session II or lunch

Learning Lounge Open

11:20 am-12:20 pm Breakout Session VI or lunch

Learning Lounge Open

10:05 am-11:05 am Breakout Session IX
 

12:35 pm-1:35 pm Breakout Session III or lunch

Learning Lounge Open

12:35 pm-1:35 pm Breakout Session VII or lunch

Learning Lounge Open

11:15 am-12:15 pm Breakout Session X
 1:50 pm-2:50 pm Breakout Session IV1:50 pm-2:50 pm Breakout Session VIII 
 2:50 pm-3:20 pm Networking in Exhibit Hall and Learning Lounge2:50 pm-3:20 pm Networking in Exhibit Hall and Learning Lounge 
 3:25 pm-5:00 pm Closing Keynote3:25 pm-5:00 pm Closing Keynote 
 5:00 pm-6:00 pm Book signing5:00 pm-6:00 pm Book signing 
 Exhibits Open 11:20 am to 5:30 pm7:30 pm-10:00 pm Annual Bash hosted by MOAEYC 
  Exhibits Open 11:20 am to 3:30 pm 
Lodging

The Conference will be held at Tan-Tar-A Conference Center. More information coming soon.

Registration

Conference Registration will open in December 2025. The conference brochure will not be available until registration opens.

Registration will close on February 12, 2026, or prior if we meet capacity.

2026 Conference on the Young Years Fees

Conference Options

Early Bird Registration Fee

Ends 1/31/2026

Regular Registration Fee

Begins 2/1/2026

Ends 2/12/2026

What is Included? 
Thursday Only$125$135

7 clock hours

 

Complimentary lunch on Thursday

Friday and Saturday Only$200$220

10.5 clock hours

Complimentary lunch on Friday.

Complimentary breakfast on Saturday

All 3 days

(Thursday, Friday, and Saturday)

$300$320

17.5 clock hours

Complimentary lunch on Thursday and Friday

Complimentary breakfast on Saturday

For More Information

Contact: Professional Development Team
Email: MOPD@dese.mo.gov
Phone: 573-526-8273

Highlights from Past Years