Date: March 11, 2008
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

PNC Hosts Early Childhood Conference

WESTVILLE – Purdue University North Central Department of Education will present its second annual Early Childhood Conference on Saturday, April 19 at Purdue North Central.

“Joyful Sounds — Joyful Children” is the theme of the daylong conference. This theme was chosen based on the feedback from the 2007 conference participants. This conference will focus on the arts, music and creativity in early childhood education through dynamic speakers, opportunities to explore new strategies and chances to connect and interact with colleagues.

Early bird registration fee of $50 is available to those who register by April 1. After that the fee is $60. The conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration and the keynote address will be at 9 a.m. with Jim Gill, a musician and early childhood educator.

Gill spent 20 years directing programs in music play for families with children with special needs. He combines word play and movement into songs and now presents concerts of “music and play” throughout the country. Gill also speaks to early childhood educators about the benefits of play in young children’s lives. He has produced five recordings of music play activities that have received awards from the American Library Association and the Parents’ Choice Foundation. He is also a published author.

The conference will bring together early childhood educators representing many roles – teaching staff, program administrators, students, researchers and teacher educators – who will explore unique learning opportunities, develop skills that improve professional preparation and practice and discuss effective, active learning approaches to enhance effectiveness in the classroom.

This conference will be of interest to early childhood professionals, teachers of pre-kindergarten through third grade students, child care providers, center directors, home-based providers, principals and administrators, early interventionists, therapists, parents and anyone interested in children and families. Staff members of licensed child care centers who must fulfill professional training requirements may use this conference as a training activity.

There will be a series of breakout sessions that will feature presentations by local early childhood experts. The sessions are divided so that participants can focus on their area of interest. Topics include social-emotional development, literacy, early care and education, family support and services and health and safety.

There will also be vendor and information booths, a make it and take it area and lunch and learn networking sessions.

During the lunch break, Dr. David Pratt , PNC assistant professor of Education, and a group of Education students will provide live entertainment with their band called "Common Denominator.”
The day will conclude with a family concert by Gill that is open to the community. Conference participants may attend without charge. Tickets are $4 each. Concert goers will sit on the PNC cafeteria floor and they should bring blankets and pillows. The interactive concert will draw children and parents into various activities.

Sponsors include the Purdue North Central Center for Early Learning, Imagination Station Child Development Center/Child Care Consortium, Michigan City Area Schools, LakePorte Chapter of Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children and Memorial Health System South Bend.
To register for this conference or to obtain Information contact the Office of Continuing Education at 800-872-1231, ext. 5343, or visit the conference website http://www.pnc.edu/depts/ce/General/ECConf07/childconfHP.htm.

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact ext. 5343.

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