Speaking

What You Can Expect

-An engaging presentation that is in line with your goals and tailored for your audience.
-A personal conversation with your team about goals and expectations for the event.
-Prompt replies to your calls and emails.
-Promotion of your event on my social media sites.
-Follow-up communication after the event.

Speaking Request

Speaker One Sheet

Meet Kathy Eggers

Learn more about Kathy Eggers as a Keynote and Workshop speaker for your next event.

Homeschool Conferences
Education Conferences

Event Types

Administrative Events
Parent Conferences

Business Events
Women’s Retreats

Wisdom & Passion

I have been speaking publicly for more than 25 years and have presented keynote and workshop trainings for events across the country and internationally. I am the award -winning author of The Homegrown Preschooler, A Year of Playing Skillfully, A Summer of Playing Skillfully, 101 Easy Wacky Crazy Activities for Young Children and Solutions for Early Childhood Directors. As a former administrator and teacher, I have extensive experience in the field of early childhood education. As the homeschooling mother of many children, both biological and adopted, I enjoy sharing my journey with others. I am often described as a passionate, authentic, and humorous presenter. Of course, I will customize my presentation to meet your conference needs, and I am happy to present any of my talks as a keynote or a workshop. I will combine talks to create a half-day or full-day seminar experience. Additionally, I offer continuing education classes for early childhood teachers, administrators, and trainers.

2027 Talks & Descriptions

Below are current talks Kathy has prepared for the 2027 conference season. Hover for more details, or contact us to learn more about working with Kathy for your next event.

Keynotes

Play isn’t a break from learning; it is the most effective engine for it. This talk shifts the focus from rigid curriculum completion to cultivating engagement, creativity, and deep retention through child-led discovery.
 Participant Takeaways:
o The Neuroscience of Play: How child-driven play builds
executive function and long-term memory faster than
worksheets.
o De-schooling the Mindset: Overcoming parent anxiety around “doing enough” by recognizing learning in real-world, unscripted moments.
o Practical Integration: Simple strategies to transform core subjects (math, science, language arts) into low-pressure, high-interest activities.
Academic success relies heavily on a secure emotional foundation.
When parents prioritize relational connection over strict schedules, behavioral friction drops, and natural curiosity takes over.
 Participant Takeaways:
o De-escalating Friction: Practical techniques for handling power struggles, burnout, and reluctance without damaging parent-child trust.
o Rhythm Over Rigidity: Creating home routines that balance structure with flexibility, honoring the energy levels of both parent and child.
o Long-Term Impact: Why relational security in the home environment drives self-directed learning and resilience into adulthood.
Learning does not begin with a textbook or a schedule; it begins with the environment we create. This talk shifts the focus from managing academics to cultivating physical spaces, daily rhythms, and emotional surroundings that invite discovery, safety, and natural curiosity.
 Key Takeaways:
o The Power of Space: How simple, intentional environment shifts (from loose parts to low-prep invitations) spark self- directed learning without costly setups.
o Emotional Atmosphere: Establishing a safe, connected home environment that lowers stress, reduces resistance, and opens the brain for deep engagement.
o Rhythm Over Rigidity: Crafting everyday routines that protect open-ended exploration while keeping the family anchored and thriving.

Panels

I’m available to join or moderate a panel exploring the authentic, everyday experience of being a homeschooling mom. While homeschooling offers incredible freedom, it also blurs the lines between educator, parent, and individual. In this panel, I’m excited to share transparent insights into managing daily logistics, navigating burnout, fostering deep connections with our kids, and keeping it real when theory meets reality. Let’s create a space for honest conversation, shared encouragement, and practical wisdom for mothers in the trenches.

Workshops

Inspired by Kathy’s newest book, Before Big: A Guide to Development, Connection, and Play in the First Three Years, this workshop invites parents to slow down and savor the foundational early years. Participants will learn how everyday micro-moments can strengthen neural pathways, emotional security, and language development without expensive tools or rigid schedules. They will leave with practical, sensory-rich play prompts that turn daily caregiving routines into meaningful bonding experiences.
How do we transition children from passive instruction to active, intrinsically motivated discovery? This high-energy session dismantles the common curriculum anxiety trap. Learn how to design play-rich home environments (invitations to create, loose parts, and inquiry setups) that naturally lead children to tackle complex math, science, and literacy concepts through their own questions.
Perfection gets in the way of connection. In this candid, humorous, and freeing workshop, Kathy shows how embracing the everyday messiness of home education can create a healthier learning environment. Parents will learn how to regulate their own nervous systems, let go of unrealistic schedules, repair after difficult moments, and choose authentic connection when life feels off track.
Behavior is communication, and play is a child’s natural language. This workshop equips parents with creative, play-based strategies to help children understand and process frustration, anxiety, and big emotions. Learn how role-play, storytelling, and movement games can de- escalate household tension and build long-term emotional resilience for the whole family.
When a family walks through deep grief, trauma, or major life shifts, traditional schooling often comes to a halt. Grounded in gentle child development principles, this sensitive session explores how play, nature, rhythm, and art serve as nonverbal pathways to healing. Parents will learn how to reduce academic pressure, nurture grieving siblings, and gently cultivate light and laughter back into the home.

Kathy Lee Eggers is an award-winning author and dedicated Child Development Specialist with over 30 years committed to the well-being of young families. Her extensive experience stems from roles as a former teacher, administrator, and a homeschooling mom to many children. Kathy’s passion lies in championing play, fostering deep connection, and embracing the beautifully imperfect journey of motherhood. A sought-after presenter, she inspires audiences with humorous and authentic talks that empower parents to live and lead with intention.