8 New Keynotes for 2023!
Scroll down to find our 2023 bios, conference talks, reviews, and product list.
The last few years have been hard on the homeschool world! Although the team at The Homegrown Preschooler have found ways to connect with homeschool families through writing, online events, and podcasts, they are ready to return to conventions and connect personally with the families they serve. Kathy and Lesli have always been well-received in the homeschool community, and they have nine exciting new keynotes and speaking sessions for 2023.
Many of you know that Kathy lost her 20-year-old son to leukemia in 2020, along with both her parents. Lesli lost her dad and has spent time caring for her aging mother and stepmother. It has been several years of learning and growing through hard seasons while continuing to homeschool. Although it has been a heartbreaking season, God has given them much to share that will be of value to your attendees.
Below you will find our press kit with our updated sessions for 2023. Kathy and Lesli can adjust sessions for presentation as keynote, workshop, or panel discussions. Please contact us for further information regarding Kathy and Lesli’s speaking fees and availability.
We look forward to seeing you in 2023!
Blessings,
Graeme and the Homegrown Preschooler Team
Bios
Lesli Richards
Lesli Richards is the award-winning author of The Homegrown Preschooler, A Year of Playing Skillfully, and A Summer of Playing Skillfully. As a mother of five, she enjoys encouraging other homeschooling families to cultivate wonder in their children through intentional play. Lesli is a strong advocate for special needs families as they navigate the best educational opportunities for their children. With over 20 years of homeschooling experience as a teacher and 12 years as a Classical Conversations Challenge Director, she brings knowledge, humor, and a passionate voice of encouragement to her sessions.
Kathy Eggers
Kathy Eggers is an award-winning author and keynote speaker in the US and abroad. As a child development specialist, she has almost thirty years of experience in the field of early childhood education. Kathy has homeschooled her large family from day one and is preparing to send her youngest off to college next year. She enjoys sharing her imperfect journey of motherhood and commitment to play with young families and is often described as a passionate, humorous, and authentic presenter.
2023 Presentation Topics
Kathy Eggers and/or Lesli Richards
Presentations can be adjusted to meet the needs of your participants. Presentations can be in form of keynote/round table/panel talk or workshop.
Preschoolers at Work - Harness The Power of Play to Wire the Brain for Lifelong Learning
Most parents do not realize the long-term effects of a rich play life in a child. Filled with practical tips, the latest research, and creative activities you can implement in your own home, this workshop will motivate you as you plan for the coming year.
THe Homegrown Preschooler 101
In this fun and creative workshop, you will learn how to create an amazing preschool experience while keeping your child at home. From the latest in scientific research to the organization of supplies, this information packed workshop will help you prepare your child for lifelong learning and make wonderful memories along the way.
Where the Wild Things Are - How to Motivate, Educate and Guide Your Spirited Learner
Wouldn’t it be great that instead of being overwhelmed by your wild child’s spirit, you could embrace all that they are? In this session, we will share our personal experience and knowledge in hopes of encouraging and providing practical strategies that will meet the needs of your child while keeping your sanity.
Homeschooling Through the Hard
Despite our best laid plans, sometimes life is hard and messy, and there is no perfect homeschool family. Many homeschool families deal with hard things, such as special needs, marital struggles, adoption, illness, loss of a child, mental illness, eating disorders and addiction. All of these things can be very isolating and paralyzing for parents. If you have ever felt alone in your hard times, while everyone else looks perfect, this session is for you. In this workshop, we explore the things that no one talks about, and provide encouragement and resources.
Help! I Don’t Like Playing with My Preschooler - Parenting Through Stages That Are Not Your Favorite
Everyone has their favorite stages of parenting, and most parents really struggle through some of them. Come learn coping strategies for seasons that are not your strength. From babies to young adults, this workshop will encourage and equip parents wherever they are.
Beyond Preschool - Continuing the Hands-On Learning Process in the Elementary Years
The value of hands-on sensory experiences is still significant for the early elementary years. While our attention turns more to building phonics skills and learning math facts, most children don’t love the transition from all fun to more traditional schoolwork. This workshop will help you balance structured lessons with the sensory input and engaging learning activities children need to love school.
A Wonder Filled Math and Language Arts for Preschoolers
Math and Language arts are two of the most important building blocks in the early education of our children. In this research-based workshop, Parents will learn to approach these topics playfully with their children, while watching for readiness for next steps. Handouts will include useful developmental guidelines, resource suggestions, and book titles.
The Resilient Child - The Value of Including Character Development in Your Lesson Plan
Intentionally teaching character traits and habits, while encouraging emotional growth will help your child thrive, overcome, and adapt in what is often a turbulent world. Combining the latest neuroscience research with biblical truth, this workshop will equip parents to confidently nurture their child’s emotional well-being and character development.
“[Their] words were not only affirming but actually doable and freeing to me as a mom. You can tell through the stories and years of experience that they love children and really “get” them. After implementing their advice I found myself less stressed in the day to day and empowered to tackle the challenging parts of parenthood while still saying Yes! to my kids. ”
“Kathy has been the biggest blessing in my homeschool. She is chalk full of ideas and has the education, knowledge, and life experience to be an enormous help to families. Kathy helped me with my reluctant reader giving me ideas to inspire her and she loves reading so much that she always carries a backpack around with a book in it. I cannot thank Kathy for giving me the freedom to take the time and inspire my children and give them a desire to learn and memories of learning in the early years that we all think back to with love.
”
“Its amazing to me now that once upon a time, I felt I needed permission to have the year we just had. I didn’t realize just how deep the tentacles of modern education had penetrated my perspective as a parent and teacher. When I bought this curriculum at last year’s FPEA convention, I was a weepy, frightened mess. . . . After hearing both Lesli and Kathy speak at FPEA (and crying all over them!) I came home with a bag full of curriculum and a boatload of hope.”
Some of our listener’s Favorite Podcast Episodes
0ur 2023 Product list
A Year of Playing Skillfully - A Year of Playing Skillfully is a wonder based, developmental school-year curriculum designed for children ages 3-7. Concrete themes and character traits have been carefully chosen for children to explore. Research-based learning opportunities address the needs of the developing brain in the following areas: Language and Literacy, Math and Manipulatives, Science and Sensory, Art and Music, Gross Motor and Outdoor Play, and Social-Emotional and Home Life.
A Summer of Playing Skillfully - The wonder of A Year of Playing Skillfully continues with A Summer of Playing Skillfully. Kathy and Lesli resume the journey of saying yes with an opportunity for your children to explore and discover during the summer months. As the weather warms, an invitation is given to experience the beauty of The Great Outdoors, the fascination of Oceans, Lakes, and Streams and the captivation of Our Animal Friends. This delightful addition to our school year curriculum will continue to ignite your child’s natural curiosity, while enriching your family culture.
A Year of Planning Skillfully - Planning your school and home life just became easier and lovelier with A Year of Planning Skillfully. As veteran homeschoolers, Kathy and Lesli have seen their share of planners and wanted to create something that was unique, beautiful, and practical. They are confident that A Year of Planning Skillfully checks all of those boxes and more. In this planner you will find plenty of space to jot down notes, plan out school days, dream about weekend trips or child free trips to the grocery store.
The Homegrown Preschooler - This book is the leading resource for parents of young learners. It provides everything you need to prepare your child for lifelong learning.
Ready to get started?
Fillout the form and contact us today!
Make sure to include the relevant sates, location, and if there is a specific topic from the list above that you would like Kathy or Lesli to speak on.