Connecticut Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference 2025 Featured Speakers
Anthony (Ant) Toombs Sr. is a trauma counselor and Founding Member, Growth & Expansion Strategist with the Life is Good Playmaker Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to spread the power of optimism to help kids heal. Throughout his 16+ years with The Playmaker Project Ant has partnered with thousands of childcare professionals across the United States and Haiti to help create more safe, loving and joyful environments for kids to engage, connect, and explore. Ant (along with the entire LiGPP team) believes that when children grow to see the good in themselves, the good in others and the good in their world - their social, emotional, and cognitive superpowers emerge. However, for the seeds of optimism to take root, they must be nurtured. Sadly, in toxically stressful environments that can result from poverty, violence and illness, the seeds of optimism often die. Ant has committed his career to growing the good and supporting the childcare professionals, that The LiGPP call Playmakers – those men and women who dedicate their lives to helping kids heal. Ant is an inspirational and passionate speaker whose lessons help his audience access their own playfulness, energy and creativity to reach their full potential.
Ant Toombs Saturday Keynote
The Healing Power of Play and Optimism Optimism is powerful. When human beings strengthen their ability to see and focus on the goodness and value in themselves, others, and the world around them, their social, emotional and cognitive superpowers emerge. Optimism, however, is fragile. Chronic stress, fear and overwhelming adversity can weaken and destroy our capacity for optimism. This inspiring presentation by Ant Toombs, helps Early Childhood Professionals discover the power of optimism to create safe, loving, joyful, and engaging environments where kids can heal, grow and thrive. Using research, humor and personal stories from 30+ years of work with kids and their caretakers Ant will share how practicing optimism can bring out the best in ourselves, our colleagues and our children.
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