Hosted by
PhD Austeja Landsbergiene
April 24-25
Vilnius
Lithuania
The Early Childhood Education Summit is an unmissable two-day event focused on shaping the future of early childhood education.
This year’s conference, “Nurturing Futures: Wellness for Children and Educators”, will bring together educators, researchers, and wellness professionals from across the Baltic and Nordic regions, creating a platform for cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.
Proudly hosted by Austėja Landsbergienė, PhD, founder of 13 successful modern schools and a visionary in contextual and early childhood education, the conference highlights her dedication to promoting wellness and innovation in education. A best-selling author and passionate advocate for no-drama parenting, Austėja Landsbergienė, PhD, is recognized as a leading voice in the field.
The event will take place in Vilnius, Lithuania, located in the heart of the Baltics. Known for its picturesque architecture, the city beautifully blends historic charm with modern innovation, providing the perfect setting for this gathering.
INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS
Hands-on sessions that equip attendees with practical tools and strategies for impactful early childhood education.
EXPERT INSIGHTS
Presentations from leading experts in early childhood education and wellness, sharing their knowledge and innovative approaches.
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Connect with professionals from across the Nordic and Baltic regions who share your dedication to shaping brighter futures.
SCHOOL VISITS
Explore best practices in action through visits to local schools, offering a unique chance to witness successful strategies in early childhood education and wellness.
Inspiring talks, hands-on workshops led by experts, opportunities for networking, lunch and an engaging evening program with dinner. All included in your ticket price!
08:00 – 9:30 | MORNING WELCOME & COFFEE |
09:30 – 09:45 | WELCOME & INTRODUCTION |
09:45 – 10:05 | KEYNOTE:
Leadership for Well-Being |
10:05 – 10:25 | TALK:
Thriving Together: How Professional Learning Communities Build Healthy Schools |
10:25 – 10:45 | TALK:
How We Built a School that Nurtures Wellbeing and Learning |
10:45 – 11:05 | TALK:
Vilnius Is a School: Urban Spaces That Nurture and Inspire Children |
11:05 – 11:40 | COFFEE BREAK |
11:40 – 12:00 | TALK:
Children of War: How to Restore a Safe World |
12:00 – 12:20 | TALK:
Talking in Class: How Communication Skills Shape Lives |
12:20 – 12:40 | TALK:
The Magic of Music: Unlocking Social-Emotional Wellness in Children |
12:40 – 13:40 | LUNCH |
12:10 – 13:40 | Workshop “Imagine” (Optional, no registration required) |
13:45 – 14:30 | WORKSHOPS |
14:30 – 14:45 | Workshop Transition Break |
14:45 – 15:30 | WORKSHOPS |
15:30 – 16:00 | COFFEE BREAK |
16:00 – 16:30 | CLOSING DISCUSSION: Key Takeaways and Future Directions |
18:00 – 19:30 | Guided Tour of Vilnius Old Town |
20:00 | Traditional Lithuanian Dinner |
Guided visits to schools to observe best practices and innovative approaches in early childhood education. Transportation will be provided.
10:00 – 12:00 | Visits to schools |
12:00 – 12:30 | Reflection & Wrap-Up |
Austėja Landsbergienė, PhD, is a best-selling author, educator, and the founder of 13 successful schools. A visionary leader in Contextual and Early Childhood Education, she is widely recognized as a pioneering female leader in the field.
Keynote: “Leadership for Well-Being”
In this keynote, Austėja Landsbergienė will explore the crucial role of leadership in fostering well-being within schools and communities. She will discuss how effective leaders can create environments that prioritize emotional, mental, and physical wellness, empowering both themselves and others to thrive. Drawing on the latest research and practical strategies, this keynote will focus on how leaders can model resilience, build supportive cultures, and implement systems that nurture the well-being of individuals at every level.
LaTyia Rolle is the Elementary School Head at the International School of Brussels in Belgium. Prior to this, she served as the American Elementary School Principal and Managing Director at the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin, Germany.
With a strong commitment to fostering healthy school communities, LaTyia is passionate about creating environments where both students and educators can thrive.
Talk: “Thriving Together: How Professional Learning Communities Build Healthy Schools”
This talk will explore how Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) can play a vital role in promoting a healthy, supportive school environment. Through practical examples, we’ll highlight how having well-structured teams build trust, motivation and create a culture that drives shared goals. You’ll see how these communities inspire collaboration and energize educators to achieve a common vision.
Workshop: “Building and Sustaining Wellbeing within Professional Teams”
In this workshop, LaTyia Rolle will provide practical tools to help educators build and strengthen Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) within their teams. Participants will explore how well-structured PLCs foster trust, motivation, and a supportive culture. Through tangible examples, attendees will learn how to inspire collaboration, enhance educator wellness, and understand how a thriving community leads to better outcomes for both educators and students.
Laura Kahwati is the Education Manager for the Thought Leadership strand of Cambridge’s Education Directorate. She holds two postgraduate certificates from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Teaching from University College London.
With 16 years of experience in education, Laura specializes in oracy and is passionate about integrating speaking and listening skills into education to support both cognitive and emotional development.
Talk: “Talking in Class: How Communication Skills Shape Lives”
Speaking and listening skills are essential to a child’s education, shaping their learning, social-emotional development, and overall wellbeing. In this talk, Laura will explore how a strong foundation in oracy from an early age can positively impact children’s education and well-being at primary, secondary, and beyond. Laura will draw on her extensive experience as a teacher, as well as Cambridge’s approach to Early Years and Wellbeing.
Gróa Axelsdóttir is the Principal of Stapaskóli in Reykjanesbær, Iceland, where she focuses on creating a school that prioritizes children’s well-being as the foundation for their success.
Gróa holds a B.Ed. and an MA in Cultural Management. Gróa is dedicated to fostering environments where children can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.
Talk: “How We Built a School that Nurtures Wellbeing and Learning”
In this talk, Gróa Axelsdóttir will share how a school was designed to nurture both well-being and learning, with a focus on individualized education. Drawing from her experience in progressive education, she will explore how diverse teaching methods, flexible spaces, and integrated projects support students’ unique needs. Gróa will highlight the importance of creating an environment that adapts to students’ evolving needs, fostering independence, collaboration, and initiative. It’s time to rethink education and shape environments that truly support the needs of today’s children.
Workshop: “Building Wellbeing in Schools: Methods for Understanding Students and Ourselves”
In this workshop, Gróa Axelsdóttir will introduce an innovative method to help educators understand children’s needs and promote socio-emotional well-being. Participants will discover their unique symbol through a test, then create a reflection of their insights. The goal is to equip educators with tools to apply this approach with students, enhancing understanding and collaboration. This hands-on experience will empower attendees to use the method in their own environments.
Hanne Orrenmaa, Honorary Consul for Lithuania, is a music and drama teacher at Nurmo High School and Junior High, Finland.
With a Master of Music and a Diploma in Drama Education, Hanne is also deeply involved in charity work, organizing concerts and fundraisers. Hanne’s work is centered around using music to promote wellness in children.
Talk: “The Magic of Music: Unlocking Social-Emotional Wellness in Children”
Hanne Orrenmaa explores the transformative power of music in supporting children’s mental and emotional health. With her background as a music and drama educator, Hanne will reveal how music creates a magical environment that fosters social-emotional wellness, builds resilience, and enhances overall well-being in young learners.
Workshop: “Experiencing the Magic of Music”
In this engaging workshop, Hanne Orrenmaa will provide hands-on opportunities to explore the magic of music in promoting social-emotional wellness in children. Participants will actively engage with techniques designed to enhance emotional expression, build resilience, and support mental health, equipping them with practical tools to use in their own work with kids.
Hanna Horbachova is a primary school teacher at Gravitas School in Vilnius, Lithuania. Originally from Ukraine, she has over 30 years of experience working with children.
When the full-scale war started, Hanna moved to Lithuania. She is passionate about helping children discover their talents and believes in creating an environment where every child can thrive. Hanna finds inspiration in seeing children smile and grow, and is dedicated to fostering self-belief and joy in learning.
Talk: “Children of War. How to Restore a Safe World”
When we care for the safety of our children and staff, it’s essential to see a broader context. In this talk, Hanna, a teacher from “Gravita Schola,” will discuss how Lithuania is helping to create safe schools for children affected by the war in Ukraine. Having completed a two-year British “Trauma Informed Schools” training program, she will share practical strategies for restoring a safe environment in schools. It’s crucial to be prepared for the possibility that one day, a child with the trauma of war may enter our classrooms. Let’s get ready to support them.
Unė Kaunaitė is a writer and public figure. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Cambridge and has worked in various educational and governmental roles, including as an advisor to the Lithuanian Prime Minister.
Unė is responsible for the “Vilnius yra mokykla” program, promoting innovative education in the city. She is the author of several books that explore themes of identity, emigration, and social issues, using her work to inspire dialogue and social change.
Talk: “Vilnius is a school: urban spaces that nurture and inspire children.”
“Vilnius is a School” is a project that won a million-dollar grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Global Mayor’s Challenge. Through this initiative, Vilnius aims to modernize its education system by moving at least 10% of lessons from traditional school buildings into urban spaces. Experiencing education in the city not only sparks creativity in children’s learning but also fosters a sense of safety and pride in their city. Join us to learn how Vilnius achieved this and gather inspiration for your own cities!
Donatas Puslys is a philosophy and public speaking teacher at Queen Morta School. He hosts a weekly radio show, Paribio pokalbiai, on LRT Klasika, a Lithuanian national radio and television station.
Additionally, Donatas leads the Media and Democracy program at the Vilnius Institute for Policy Analysis. His primary areas of expertise include media and information literacy, as well as the impact of authoritarian threats on democracy.
Presenter: LaTyia Rolle (Belgium)
In this workshop, LaTyia Rolle will provide practical tools to help educators build and strengthen Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) within their teams. Participants will explore how well-structured PLCs foster trust, motivation, and a supportive culture. Through tangible examples, attendees will learn how to inspire collaboration, enhance educator wellness, and understand how a thriving community leads to better outcomes for both educators and students.
Presenter: Gróa Axelsdóttir (Iceland)
Gróa Axelsdóttir will introduce an innovative method to help educators understand children’s needs and promote socio-emotional well-being. Participants will discover their unique symbol through a test, then create a reflection of their insights. The goal is to equip educators with tools to apply this approach with students, enhancing understanding and collaboration. This hands-on experience will empower attendees to use the method in their own environments.
Presenter: Hanne Orrenmaa (Finland)
In this engaging workshop, Hanne Orrenmaa will provide hands-on opportunities to explore the magic of music in promoting social-emotional wellness in children. Participants will actively engage with techniques designed to enhance emotional expression, build resilience, and support mental health, equipping them with practical tools to use in their own work with kids.
Presenter: Daina Kājiņa (Latvia)
Staying calm during conflicts is a challenge for many of us. Our daily lives are not only shaped by children’s education but also by the high expectations of parents. Conflicts are often inevitable. In this workshop, you will learn about the most common types of conflicts that disrupt our balance, how to respond constructively, and how to avoid taking things personally so that you can continue to collaborate peacefully with families.
Presenter: Anneli Mõtsmees, Vieno Rjabova (Estonia)
In this interactive workshop, you will learn effective approaches to supporting children’s emotional development and helping them cope with strong feelings, based on methods used at Soinaste Kindergarten Laululind. You will gain practical tools and techniques to nurture emotional resilience and have the opportunity to try one of these methods firsthand, providing ideas to integrate into your daily routines.
Presenter: Emilija Malinauskaitė – Sigurdarson (Lithuania / Denmark)
In this workshop, we’ll explore how to create a language-rich environment that supports communication and literacy. Learn to use thoughtful questions during storytime to spark discussions, helping children enhance their reading skills and internalize important values. We’ll also look at ways to connect illustrations with text to support storytelling. Join us to discover new approaches to inspire curiosity, communication, and wellbeing in your classroom. Emilija is a mentor for new teachers at Karalienės Mortos Primary School and has years of experience as the education manager at the “Vaikystės Sodas” early childhood schools.
Presenter: Gustė Kairytė (Lithuania)
Reflection, calmness, and focus are skills that can be taught from an early age. It’s important to help children develop these abilities. In this workshop, you’ll try out reflective activities using sand and blocks and learn how to integrate these practices into children’s daily routines. Gustė is a pre-school teacher and mentor at “Vaikystės Sodas”, as well as the deputy head of education.
Presenter: Daiva Palubinskaitė (Lithuania)
Join Daiva Palubinskaitė, the head of the wellness studio “Ginsvė,” a lecturer at Klaipėda Higher Education Institution and the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, in this workshop where you’ll learn to introduce yoga and mindful breathing to children in a playful way. Explore “Vaikystes Sodas” yoga and breathing cards, designed to strengthen bodies, improve posture and coordination, and enhance focus, memory, and mindfulness in young minds.
Presenter: Milda Brėdikytė, PhD, Monika Skerytė-Kazlauskienė, PhD, Agnė Draučikaitė (Lithuania)
Narrative play is a creative role-playing activity where children and adults build stories together, helping children explore emotions, develop self-regulation, and manage feelings. In this workshop, we’ll create and improvise play adventures based on familiar stories to experience these benefits firsthand. You’ll discover how narrative play can support emotional growth and social development. Presenters include Milda Brėdikytė, PhD, a researcher in early development, narrative play, and puppetry at Vytautas Magnus University; Monika Skerytė-Kazlauskienė, PhD, a developmental and educational psychologist at Vilnius University; and Agnė Draučikaitė, a pre-school educator at “Gintarėlis” kindergarten, who pioneered narrative play methods and shared her work internationally.
Presenter: Laura Kahwati (United Kingdom)
Recognizing and naming emotions is an important step towards wellbeing and self-awareness. This workshop will explore how language shapes children’s emotional wellbeing and how unmet needs sometimes results from unknown words. We will also discuss common misunderstandings and challenges, focusing on how we can help children talk from the heart.
Join us at the “Nurturing Futures: Wellness for Children and Educators” conference!
Welcome to Vilnius
The conference will be held in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, a city known for its unique blend of historic charm and modern innovation. With picturesque architecture, a vibrant cultural scene, and a welcoming atmosphere, Vilnius offers the perfect backdrop for our event. Although compact in size, the city is rich in history and creativity, making it an exciting destination.
Transport to the Conference
The event will take place at Queen Morta School, located at Lukšinės Street 29, in a peaceful residential area of Vilnius. To ensure easy access, we will provide shuttle buses between the venue and selected hotels. A registration form will be sent closer to the conference date to confirm your preferred pick-up location. Bolt and Uber are also available for private transport options.
Transport to/from the Airport
Vilnius Airport offers various transportation options, including taxis, public buses, and a train service to the city center. For detailed information, visit the Vilnius Airport website.
Public Transport in Vilnius
For those using public transport, visit the Vilnius public transport website for detailed routes. You can also use the Traffi app or Judu app for schedules and ticket purchases.
We are pleased to offer our conference attendees a range of accommodation options in Vilnius, catering to different preferences and budgets. Hotels are centrally located, and the conference bus will pick up and drop off attendees at these locations in the evening.
Below you will find descriptions of special price and discount options available exclusively for our conference attendees. Please note that these offers are valid while rooms are available. To make a reservation, kindly book directly with the hotels using the contact details provided.
We recommend booking early to secure your stay at these special rates.
Availability is limited, and reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
AMBERTON CATHEDRAL SQUARE HOTEL VILNIUS
The hotel is located in the very heart of Lithuania with a magnificent view of the Cathedral Square and situated in the charming Old Town of Vilnius with its city spirit. Amberton Cathedral Square Hotel Vilnius offers spacious rooms and a restaurant with stunning views of Cathedral Square.
- Room rates: 15% discount on daily rates;
- Additional charges: Breakfast, city tax of €2 per person per night
- Discount code: WELLNESS
- Reservation link: Amberton – Conference Offer
- More information: Amberton Cathedral Square
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT VILNIUS CITY CENTER
A modern and stylish hotel located in the heart of Vilnius, just a short walk from the Old Town and major attractions. Courtyard by Marriott offers comfortable rooms, a fitness center, and an on-site restaurant. Guests appreciate its welcoming atmosphere and convenient location.
- Room types and rates:
- Single room: €105 per night | Double room: €115 per night
- Included: Breakfast
- Additional charges: City tax of €2 per person per night
- Reservation link: Courtyard by Marriott – Conference Offer
- More information: Courtyard by Marriott
IBIS VILNIUS CENTRE
Located near the city center, Ibis Vilnius Centre offers a comfortable and budget-friendly stay. This modern hotel features cozy rooms, a restaurant serving international cuisine, and friendly service. The location provides easy access to Vilnius’ main attractions and public transport.
- Room types and rates:
- Single room: €61 per night | Double room: €71 per night
- Included: Breakfast
- Additional charges: City tax of €2 per person per night
- Reservation: e-mail ha1j1@accor.com using the discount code WELLNESS
- More information: Ibis Vilnius Centre