FAQs

Playful, joyful, and unhurried childhoods for all children.

Promoting play, defending childhood, and empowering caregivers.

Promoting Play means advocating relentlessly for REAL play.

Real play is vital for the well-being of children and adults. For children, it’s increasingly replaced by play-like activity and adult-driven busy work. For adults, hectic schedules and the general busyness of life leave little time for it. Through the training sessions offered here and the content we create and curate at Playvolution HQ, we work to help bring more play into the lives of children and adults.

Defending Childhood means slowing the rush through childhood.

In addition to the loss of play in their daily lives, children are over-scheduled, pushed towards formal academics before they are developmentally ready, and generally hurried through their childhoods. It’s as if the job of two-year-olds is to zip to being three, and the job of three-year-olds is to rush on to being four. It’s developmentally inappropriate, unethical, and immoral. The training offered on this site and our collection of early learning resources at Playvolution HQ are intended to help slow that rush.

Empowering Caregivers means creating resources and offering support.

Supporting children’s growth and development can be challenging for professional caregivers and parents. Via the trainings here at Explorations Early Learning and the content we create and curate at Playvolution HQ, we help adults who live and work with children stay informed, hone their skills, and make time for self-care.

I’m Jeff A Johnson. I’m an early learning trainer, podcaster, author, advocate, and former toy maker–you’ll find details on the site’s About page.

What’s going on here at explorationsearlylearning.com is early learning professional development–primarily online but sometimes in-person.

Check out playvolutionhq.com for early learning resources–podcasts, observation and operating forms, informative handouts, an early learning glossary, DIY ideas, and more.

At myplayhaven.com, you’ll find Play Haven, my new early learning community, a place to connect with peers and talk shop.

Sure thing. You’ll find PDF versions of my bio, resume, and publication list at the links below:

• Jeff’s Biography
• Jeff’s Resume
• Jeff’s Publications List

My professional development sessions focus on 4 general areas, although there’s a lot of overlap. Those categories are Play and Early Learning, Self-Care and Relationships, Policies and Procedures, and DIY Learning Ideas. You’ll find a complete list of session titles, descriptions, learning goals, and more here.

I’ve provided live and pre-recorded online early learning professional development since 2006 via several platforms and have made it a focus since 2018. My online training is pre-approved or accepted in at least 9 US states and some Canadian provinces.

I did my first presentation in the fall of 2000 at the Iowa AEYC annual conference. That went well, and gigs as an unpaid speaker led to paid speaking gigs. Since then, thanks to word-of-mouth promotion from satisfied attendees, I’ve presented across the United States, Canada, and Australia (more on that in the following FAQ). Attendees described my sessions as heartfelt, inspirational, high-energy, and humorous.

Exhausted and homesick from spending up to six months a year on the road, in late 2017, I decided to cut back on live and in-person events and focus on online training.

Since starting way back in 2000, I’ve presented across the United States, Canada, and Australia. I’ve lost track of all the events, but here’s an overview:

A few highlights:

• I’ve keynoted the NAFCC national conference
• I’ve keynoted many state AEYC conferences
• I’ve keynoted the IFDCA International Conference in Cork, Ireland
• I’ve presented at the NAEYC national conference

Here’s a relatively current list of the states, provinces, and territories where I have keynoted in-person events:

United States

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey

• New York
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Canada

• Alberta
• British Columbia 
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan

Australia

• New South Wales
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Victoria
• Western Australia
• Northern Territory

It all started back in 2003 when Explorations Early Learning was the name of our family child care program. Over the years, the business has evolved, but the name has stayed the same.

After 16+ years, in a moment of frustration and exhaustion, Jeff quit a job he loved with a large non-profit agency. He walked in the door as a volunteer and ended up directing a child care program and community center that served hundreds of children a day.

Twenty minutes after quitting, he realized he was burned out and unemployed. His wife, Tasha, assistant director of the child care center, quit the next day–she had been burned out for years.

They quickly started a family child care program focused on child-led play and learning.

They ran the Explorations Early Learning family child care for 10+ years. During that time, Jeff had the opportunity to write some books for Redleaf Press that focused on play, relationships, and caregiver self-care. He also began to spend a lot of time traveling as an early learning speaker.

In 2013, they closed their program to focus full-time on providing early learning training as well as creating and curating digital content promoting play, child-led learning, and caregiver self-care.

I did my first presentation in the fall of 2000 at the Iowa AEYC annual conference. That went well, and gigs as an unpaid speaker led to paid speaking gigs.

Since then, thanks to word-of-mouth promotion from satisfied attendees, I’ve presented across the United States, Canada, and Australia. I’ve also done online training since 2006 and made it a focus since 2018. Attendees describe my sessions as heartfelt, inspirational, high-energy, and humorous.

I currently host the weekly Playvolution HQ Podcast.

I began podcasting in 2013. In addition to my original show, The Child Care Bar And Grill, I’ve hosted and produced several early learning-focused shows featuring popular early learning authors like Lisa Murphy, Heather Shumaker, Angela Hanscom, Mike Huber, Heather Bernt-Santi, and Dan Hodgins.

Over 12 years and 1200 episodes, The Child Care Bar And Grill was the longest-running and most prolific early learning podcast available.

I’ve had a hand in the production of over 2500 early learning podcast episodes, totalling over 1000 hours of content. You’ll find archived episodes here, most are available via your favorite podcast app.

Yep. While I currently prefer the ease and immediacy of sharing content in digital short-format forms, such as podcasts and blog posts, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to write some books back when I favored that format, mainly during my time at the Explorations Early Learning family child care.

Here are my titles:

2006
Do-It-Yourself Early Learning | Redleaf Press

2007
Finding Your Smile Again | Redleaf Press
The Child Care Alphabet Book of Early Learning | Self-Published

2008
Everyday Early Learning | Redleaf Press
The Child Care Alphabet Book of Manipulatives | Self-Published

2009
Babies In The Rain | Redleaf Press

2010
Keeping Your Smile | Redleaf Press

2012
Let Them Play | Redleaf Press

2013
Let’s Play | Redleaf Press

2015
Let’s All Play | Redleaf Press

It’s a place where I create and curate early learning resources. It’s what I do now instead of writing books.

In 2016, I founded Playvolution HQ as a companion site to the Explorations Early Learning site and a home for original and curated early learning content. The site now houses all those podcast episodes mentioned in another FAQ as well as thousands of early learning quotes, do-it-yourself projects, articles, free handouts, and more.

Yeah, that happened.

I spent over a decade making low-tech, high-think wooden toys. It started after I started sharing ideas in trainings that would become my books Do-It-Yourself Early Learning and Everyday Early Learning. Busy caregivers exclaimed they did not have time to DIY and asked me to start making things they could buy. I did. It was a fun, creative outlet.

While it was enjoyable and rewarding, it also took up lots of time and space, and the toy-making ended in 2020 to make room for other projects.

Here are some examples of what I made:

My live online professional development sessions take place on the ZOOM meeting platform. I’ve used many platforms and find ZOOM the most versatile, user-friendly, and reliable option.

Yes, all my live online sessions are recorded for archival purposes, allowing me to verify attendee attendance and participation if necessary.

After registering, you’ll find links to your trainings on the Explorations Early Learning website Dashboard‘s Enrolled Trainings page. 

It’s best to sign in 5-10 minutes before the session’s scheduled start time so you can adjust your audio and video settings, sign in via the Chat, and settle in for the session. This also allows time to address any technical issues you may encounter.

I occasionally share discount coupons via my mailing lists.

The coupon code WELCOME ($20.00 value) is good for a complimentary training session.

Only if:

• You have feedback–good or bad–you want to share about the training
• You want/need a certificate of completion

Attendees should sign in via the Zoom chat when they log on for training.

If your internet connection goes out, your battery dies, or some other unforeseen issue prevents you from completing a session, I can usually make a video of the session available so you can see what you missed. In some cases, I am unable to issue training certificates when this occurs due to state policies.

If the technology fails on my end, I will reschedule the session as soon as possible and/or make a recording of the session available to all registered attendees.

You’ll find my currently available training here.

After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing a link to your user dashboard, where you can access all your trainings. If you’re new to the site, you will also receive an email with your username and a link to set a password. You must be logged in to the site to access your trainings.

Just contact me to start the booking process. Let me know the date or timeframe you’re interested in, as well as an idea of what topic(s) you’re interested in. You can also let me know what questions you have.

Sure, not a problem. Just ask when you contact me about booking the event. I’m happy to pencil in your date while you make a decision.

My rate for live online training is $600 an hour.

Contact me if you have questions.

VERY rarely, but I may impose an additional service charge if I’m required to spend time completing a stack of paperwork from your end. I hate doing paperwork.

I did for years, but no longer do. That said, I’m happy to pull together a contract or memo of understanding if you need one.

As far in advance as possible is always best, at least 30-90 days is ideal. That said, online events are simple to set up and require no travel arrangements, so if I have an opening in my schedule, I can sometimes make short-notice bookings work.

I prefer payment via bank transfer, credit/debit card, or check. Still, I could be persuaded to exchange training time for a supply of good rum, electric guitars, an adorable Labrador Retriever puppy, or similar items.

Sure thing! I invoice via Stripe. After booking an event, send me your agency details and where to email the invoice.

I don’t have any physical items for door prizes, but I can provide coupon codes for free access to online training at Explorations Early Learning or offer one-on-one consulting time as a door prize.

Just contact me to start the booking process. Let me know the date or timeframe you’re interested in, as well as an idea of what topic(s) you’re interested in. You can also let me know what questions you have.

Sure, not a problem. Just ask when you contact me about booking the event. I’m happy to pencil in your date while you make a decision.

VERY rarely, but I may impose an additional service charge if I’m required to spend time completing a stack of paperwork from your end. I hate doing paperwork.

I did for years, but no longer do. That said, I’m happy to pull together a contract or memo of understanding if you need one.

I prefer payment via bank transfer, credit/debit card, or check. Still, I could be persuaded to exchange training time for a supply of good rum, electric guitars, an adorable Labrador Retriever puppy, or similar items.

Sure thing! I invoice via Stripe. After booking an event, send me your agency details and where to email the invoice.

I don’t have any physical items for door prizes, but I can provide coupon codes for free access to online training at Explorations Early Learning or offer one-on-one consulting time as a door prize.

My current rate for in-person training is $5,000. That includes all expenses and covers up to six hours of training.

I usually require a 50% deposit due 60 days before the event, with the balance due the day of the event.

I offer a 5% discount if the entire payment is made by the deposit due date.

Contact me if you have questions.

As far in advance as possible is always best, especially if you have a firm event date. I prefer at least 60 days’ notice for in-person events.

Yes, I make certificates of completion available for all live online professional development trainings I host.

To earn a certificate, attendees must participate in the entire training session and complete the session evaluation.

You must complete and submit a short evaluation after the session to receive a certificate. My website automatically generates a personalized PDF certificate and emails it to you upon submission.

The link to the evaluation appears on the session’s landing page and can be accessed after the training ends.

Certificates usually arrive moments after evaluation submission, but sometimes it takes a bit longer for them to arrive.

First, check your spam and junk folders. If you still don’t find the certificate emails, please let me know if it has not hit your inbox within 24 hours of submission.

Sure. While the design may change a bit from year to year, the certificates I issue contain the same basic information:

Training oversight organizations have differing requirements for what must appear on creditable certificates. My certificates include the following information:

• Unique Certificate Identifier
• Title Of Training
• Training Description
• Learning Objectives
• Attendees Name
• Attendee Address
• Date Of Training
• Name Of Trainer
• Trainer Signature
• Total Training Contact Hours
• Organization Name
• Explorations Early Learning Logo
• Content Area
• State Organization or trainer ID for the states I work with
• State Event ID for the states I work with
• Attendee Registry ID for the states I work with
• User IP Address

I know for sure that:

• My trainings are pre-approved for professional development in IL, MI, MO, NE, OK, and WI.
• Last I checked, my certificates are also accepted for professional development in AL, AZ, and SD in the United States and BC in Canada.

Beyond that, the simple answer is “Maybe?”

It’s a big world with many organizations governing what does and does not count as professional development from region to region. You’ll have to check with local authorities. The information in this FAQ may be helpful when checking, and you can always contact me with questions.

I expect they can be. Nefarious people can be very creative and talented. That said, I’ve taken the following steps to reduce counterfeiting and keep my certification process secure:

• Access to session evaluation is restricted to verified users
• Each certificate includes the IP address of the person submitting the evaluation
• Each certificate has a unique identifier
• I archive all valid certificates so that fakes can be easily identified
• I upload attendance information to the state training registries with which I work