Conference on the Young Years (CYY)
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 4 Thursday, March 5 Friday, March 6 Saturday, March 7 6:00 pm-8:30 pm Registration Desk Open 7:00 am-6:00 pm Registration Desk Open 7:00 am-6:00 pm Registration Desk Open 6:15 am-7:45 am Breakfast 8:00 am-8:15 am Announcements 8:00 am-8:15 am Announcements 7:00 am-11:00 am Registration Desk Open 8:15 am-9:45 am Opening Keynote 8:15 am -9:45 am Opening Keynote 8:00 am-8:15 am Announcements 10:05 am-11:05 am Breakout Session I 10:05 am-11:05 am Breakout Session V 8:15 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 IV 1:50 pm-2:50 pm Breakout Session VIII 2:50 pm-3:20 pm Networking in Exhibit Hall and Learning Lounge 2:50 pm-3:20 pm Networking in Exhibit Hall and Learning Lounge 3:25 pm-5:00 pm Closing Keynote 3:25 pm-5:00 pm Closing Keynote 5:00 pm-6:00 pm Book signing 5:00 pm-6:00 pm Book signing Exhibits Open 11:20 am to 5:30 pm 7:30 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