Keynote & Breakout Speaker · Early Childhood
The keynote your educators are still using on Monday.
I’m Jocelyn Manzanarez. For more than 25 years I’ve taught young children through movement, music, and play, and I’m still in classrooms every week. I bring that to your stage: brain-based, practical, and warm.
See a Training in Action
Visit a training with Jocelyn.
A director, a room of teachers, and what they said afterward. This is the day from start to finish.
Signature Keynotes
Three talks your team can put to work.
Each one is built on the Engage, Move, Learn™ framework and tailored to your theme, your time block, and your group.
01
The Second Floor Problem
Why Executive Function, Not IQ, Predicts Success, and How Play Builds It
We keep building the second floor of a house with no foundation. Academics are the second floor. Executive function is the foundation, and play is how it gets poured.
02
The Brain’s First Language
What Rhythm and Music Teach the Brain Before a Single Letter Does
Before a child reads a single word, their brain has already been rehearsing reading for years, every time they clapped a nursery rhyme.
03
Stop Waiting for Calm
Why Movement Is the Missing Piece in Focus, Behavior, and Regulation
We keep asking dysregulated bodies to sit still so they can calm down, when calm is what movement produces, not what stillness demands.
Also available as breakouts and hands-on workshops. Popular sessions include From Chaos to Calm, Reading Rocks, and Bring Joy Back to Teaching.
Still in Classrooms
I never left the classroom.
Every week I’m still with children, singing, moving, and testing what works. It’s why the strategies I bring to your team hold up on a real Tuesday morning, with real children and real schedules.
What Booking Looks Like
Pick the format that fits your event.
Every session flexes to your schedule. Here’s the shape of what’s available.
Keynote
45 to 75 minutes. Opens or closes your event.
Breakout Session
60 to 90 minutes. Focused and hands-on.
Half-Day Workshop
Deeper practice with your team.
Full-Day PD
A complete training built around your goals.
In Person or Virtual
Both work well for early childhood audiences.
Travel
Based in the Seattle area, available to travel.
Kind Words From the Front of the Room
What organizers and educators say.
“We had several teachers give positive feedback the next day, and I saw immediate implementation in one classroom I was observing. It was great to see.”
Clara, Center Director · Goddard School, Issaquah
“My staff was so excited after your training. Some had been to many trainings and came in skeptical. I promised it would not disappoint, and I was right. The ideas have been flowing.”
Traci Waugh-Rinehart, Director · St Matthew Preschool, Lee’s Summit, MO
“I would like to have you come to my center at least once a year. You are so passionate and dedicated when it comes to early childhood. My staff would be better for it.”
Patrick Davidson, Director · Greenwood Early Learning Center, Seattle
“It is rare that I take something from a STARS training I can actually use. I implemented so many of your songs, games, and ideas the very next day.”
Taryn Henning, Preschool Teacher · Seattle, WA
Where She’s Spoken
Trusted by conferences and programs.
Let’s get a date on the calendar.
Tell me about your event and I’ll be in touch. The form takes about a minute.
Open the Booking FormHelpful to have handy: event name · date · location or virtual · group size · format you have in mind