Addison County & Middlebury Region VECN: Addison Early Childhood Summit 2026

The 3rd Annual Addison County Early Childhood Summit brings together educators, families, and community professionals for an afternoon of learning, connection, and shared purpose. This year's focus — Brain Development & Managing Big Emotions — anchors a keynote and interactive workshop designed to deepen our understanding of how children grow, feel, and flourish. Dr. Jody Brakeley will lead the keynote on brain development focusing on stories and connections to behaviors and big emotions. Jeanine Fitzgerald will lead the workshop "No Small Emotions." Whenever we are around children, we cannot help but notice a whole range of emotions. Understanding and working with emotions can be a very complex process. This session examines the question many wonder about, "What Do I Do When Enough is Enough?" The focus is on effective approaches to draining off high intensity once the trigger had been set in motion. The summit reflects our region's ongoing commitment to connecting the people and systems that support young children, from families and classrooms to workplaces and communities. Strong early childhood communities build a stronger Vermont. This in-person event brings together early childhood educators, health professionals, family service providers, and community leaders to explore how we can strengthen the systems that support children and families — especially in the moments that matter most, when big emotions and challenging behaviors are part of the picture.