Purdue University North Central Department of Education will present its third annual Early Childhood Conference on Saturday, April 25.
The conference theme is “Everyday Wonder." The day's events focus on the early childhood years from birth to age eight (grade 3) and the tremendous brain development that takes place during that time.
This will be of interest to teachers of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners and the primary grades, child care providers, center directors, home-based providers, school principals and administrators, early interventionists, therapists, and parents.
Registration completed after April 1 is $60 and includes admission to a community event following the conference. Open admission to the “Family Fun Time” only is $2 per ticket. Professionals may earn CEUs for attending. There will be a number of vendor booths on hand and PNC Education students will present a poster session highlighting service learning projects with local agencies.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in the lobby of the PNC Library-Student-Faculty Building . The welcome and keynote address begins at 9 a.m. The keynote speaker is Rick Crosslin, the school liaison for science learning at The Indiana Children's Museum. Crosslin is known for his creativity in developing projects that get youngsters, parents and teachers excited about science with his unique blend of facts, humor and hands-on experiments. He is also creator and host of “Indiana Expeditions,” a multipart series produced by WFYI Public Television that shows how science impacts daily life.
The conference includes a series of morning and afternoon breakout sessions that will feature presentations by local early childhood experts. The sessions allow participants to focus on their area of interest with topics that include social-emotional development, language and literacy, early care and education, family support and the wonder of the brain.
During the lunch break, author Michael S. Zimmerman, of Rolling Prairie, will present a reading of his book, “The Mouse and the Acorn: Promoting Youthful Problem Solving.” Zimmerman is a career police officer with the LaPorte County Sheriff's Department and is a poet and children's book author. His first children's book was developed while teaching his children life's lessons and was co-illustrated by his four-year-old son, Brandon.
The reading and audience interaction will show the simplicity of connecting with children and their views on life. He believes that any child is capable of great things if given the opportunity. Zimmerman will also sign copies of his book. Books will be available for purchase.
The day concludes at 3:30 p.m. with a “Family Fun Time” community event with “bubbleologist” Geoff Akins. This interactive event will draw children and parents into various activities as Akins inspires hearts and minds to a new level of curiosity in learning about the art and science of bubbles. His gentle humor and gift of rapport with children have delighted audiences worldwide. He's been featured throughout the United States and around the world as he creates bubble caterpillars, ice cream cones, snowmen, volcanoes, dancing bubbles, bubble merry-go-round, a kid in a bubble and even a square bubble.
Event sponsors include the PNC Center for Early Learning, Imagination Station, Michigan City Area Schools and PNC student organization Purdue Learning About Young Children in Education (PLAYCE) .
To register or to obtain information contact the Office of Continuing Education at 219-785-5200 ext 5343, or visit the conference website .
Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact ext. 5343.