The Purdue University North Central Center for Early Learning will host its 9th Annual Early Childhood Conference on Saturday, April 25 on the PNC campus.
The conference theme is "Meaningful Measures" and will focus on assessment and evaluation. The conference will be appropriate for early childhood professionals, caregivers, child development professionals and all parents, students and community members who are interested in working with young children will find something relevant to their interests at the conference.
The day will begin with registration and breakfast from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. The conference will open at 9 a.m. with keynote speaker Candace S. Meyer, founder and developer of Minds-in-Motion, Inc. Meyer, who has 40 years of experience in the field of education, will speak on the subject, "Meaningful Movements." She will also present two breakout sessions.
A full lineup of breakout sessions is scheduled. Each will focus on tracks that include: child development; community resources; family engagement; environments; teaching and learning and assessment. Speakers will include PNC faculty, as well as experts in early childhood education, development and assessment. A panel discussion will explore the issue of school safety plans.
PNC Chancellor, Dr. James B. Dworkin, will be on hand to present a breakout session to share his experiences with publishing his children's book, “The Dog and the Dolphin.” All participants will receive a free copy of this delightful book about developing friendships.
There will be a study trip to the Westville Little School - the Professional Development Partnership with Westville Schools, Dunebrook and the PNC Early Childhood Education program. The Westville Little School is a unique preschool program with a focus on school readiness, family engagement and teacher education.
PNC Early Childhood Students serve as ambassadors at the conference and will also share poster presentations of current class projects and service engagement.
There will be a lunch break and an afternoon break with a snack.
A Family Fun Time Event with the Jesse White Tumblers will follow the conference from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the PNC cafeteria. The event is open without charge to all community members who would like to attend. The tumblers have been thrilling audiences with their amazing athletic and tumbling skills since 1959. Families are encouraged to attend.
Early Bird conference registration is open until March 28. Special rates apply for groups and students. Conference registration is $60 if completed by March 27, 2015. Registration includes lunch.
Registration completed after March 29 is $70 with no guarantee of lunch.
The fee includes entrance to the Family Fun Time Event.
The Group Rate of $55 per person is available through March 28 for groups of five people or more. The PNC Student fee is $15. Non-PNC student fee is $25.
To register or to obtain further information visit http://www.pnc.edu/earlylearning.
Conference co-chairs are Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer, PNC associate professor of Early Childhood Education and Deb Pratt, continuing lecturer of Education, who lead a volunteer of community members. Event sponsors are: United for Children; the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation and the Purdue North Central Women’s Association.