2024 Mad Hatter Tea Party

Get Inspired by Kristen Peterson with an all-day training “Wonderland of Play”.

Wonderland of Play (4 KDHE hours) presented by Kristen Peterson.

Kristen Peterson

Kristen RB Peterson is the retired founder of a magical place called Butterfly Hill Nature Preschool. In her quest to create a place full of play, learning, nature, emotions, and yes moments, Kristen discovered that play based learning is a MUST for all early childhood environments and is an advocate for play in early childhood.

She is not just a teacher and life long learner. She has four children, loves donuts, reading everything and traveling to new places.

Now a podcaster, keynote speaker, and online entrepreneur, Kristen uses her experience and B.A. in Education with an emphasis in ECE to help early childhood educators find play, settle in, and enjoy the journey through training and digital courses.

This day with Kristen will:

  • inspire you to release the fear and to trust your cape as you head back into the world to care for children.
  • help you apply Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to your every day routine with young children as well as dig into the buzzword: DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practice) and what this REALLY means.

Early childhood professionals will leave the session inspired and ready to Kristen’s Cabinet of Curiosity & Creativity ideas with them!   

Don’t forget about the Mad Hat Contest!

Participate in the best competition of the year! Bring your maddest hats for the Mad Hat Contest: store-bought, handmade, or created with the help of tiny fingers – we want to see them all! Top three hats win free registration for next year’s event.

2023 Mad Hatter Hat Winners
K-State Alumni Center Ballroom

When:

  • Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    • Check-in starts at 8:00 AM
    • Speaker 8:30 AM
    • High Tea (snack) 10:00 AM
    • Speaker 10:30 AM
    • Lunch 12:00 PM
    • Recognition and Speaker 1:00 PM
    • Certificates & Closing 2:30 PM

Where:

  • Venue: K-State Alumni Center; 1720 Anderson Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502
  • Nearby Hotels:
  • Parking: Free parking is available in the west lots next to St. Isadore’s Catholic Church. You can also use the University Parking Garage to the East of the Alumni Center which may have an hourly fee at the time.

Registration:

  • $40/person
  • Includes mid-morning high-tea, lunch, training resources and a Mad Hatter event t-shirt! Soda, water and coffee will be provided. (no breakfast)
  • Receive a Certificate for 4 KDHE Approved Hours upon completion.
  • Scholarships Available: If you work in a licensed Kansas child care facility, you can apply for a scholarship that covers the cost of registration, travel, and lodging. Visit https://kccto.org/providers/scholarships/ for more information. Scholarship applications will be accepted before or after (for reimbursement) the event.
  • Group Registrations: Not Available
  • Registration transfer requests: Not Available
  • Event registration closes Friday, February 9, 2024 or until event is sold out.
  • Refunds Are available until February 5th.
  • For Dietary Restrictions, Language or Disability-related Accommodations, please contact KCCTO at kccto@ksu.edu or call 785-532-7197.

Register Today!


Health Statement:

As many illnesses continue to spread, we are cautiously optimistic and prepared to manage our Mad Hatter event in person, with the health and safety of you, our guest speaker, vendors, and staff in mind. We are mindful of the young and vulnerable population that you work with every day and strive to ensure their safety and well-being as well.  

We recognize our shared responsibility to be vigilant of potential COVID and illness systems. As such, should you develop and symptoms in the days leading up to the event, notify our staff to discuss your options, including our extended reimbursement policy.