Tools co-founder Dr. Deborah Leong reveals the power of Tools at national AASA event

School system leaders gather to learn in Denver

The School Superintendents Association (AASA) recently hosted a 3-day event in Denver, Colorado, for members of their Early Learning Cohort, a professional learning group focused on “unlocking the transformative power of early childhood education.” The Cohort, comprised of several dozen superintendents and early childhood directors from all over the country, convened in Denver to learn more about executive functions and self-regulation in PreK and their powerful impact on the PreK-3 learning trajectory. 

Building Children’s Brains, Building Children’s Futures

Ahead of visiting classrooms to see the approach firsthand, attendees heard from Tools co-founder Dr. Deborah Leong, who delivered the event’s keynote address, Building Children’s Brains, Building Children’s Futures: Avoiding the PreK fadeout by continuing to promote regulation-related skills through primary grades. 

Dr. Leong emphasized that a focus on self-regulation, central to Tools curriculum, supports early learning. She spoke about:

• How young children learn best
• The executive functions needed to develop self-regulation
• Play as a leading, motivating activity for self-regulation
• Embedding self-regulation into learning activities throughout the day

On-site in Tools classrooms

Groups of administrators visited one of three Tools of the Mind classrooms, where Denver partners showcased the power of Tools. Dr. Leong and Tools staff served as guides at each Tools location, fielding questions about Scaffolded Writing, Play Planning, and other key activities and elements of Tools practice.

Visiting administrators were struck by the positive classroom climate, acts of kindness between children, and the integration of children with a variety of learning needs. One participant said he understood for the first time why play is so important.

Tools in Denver, then and now

In 1996, Tools co-founders began collaborating with a Denver teacher, making Denver the very first district to implement the Tools curriculum. Nearly 30 years on, many Denver educators and administrators rely on Tools to support them in providing their children with important, foundational self-regulation and academic skills. A leader at one Denver site noted to visitors that Tools scaffolds designed specifically for children with disabilities give her teachers readily available strategies to support every child in their classrooms. Other Denver Public Schools staff praised Tools as “the very best program for children AND teachers.”

“Tools is the very best program for children AND teachers.”
- Denver Public Schools administrator

Tools Takeaway

Dr. Leong’s research-based presentation paired with a look inside real Tools classrooms gave school system leaders around the country, from Kansas to New York to Utah to Texas, a roadmap for realizing high-quality early learning.