Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- On Saturday, April 4, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Office of Continuing Education will sponsor the 22nd annual Early Childhood Conference. The day will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will end at approximately 4 p.m. All workshops, sessions and presenters will be held in Ullsvik Hall on the UWP campus.

From 7:30 to 8:15 a.m., refreshments will be served during registration. Exhibits selling educational products and goods will also open during this time for browsing and purchasing.

The keynote speaker, John Rosemond, will follow at 8:15 a.m. Rosemond is a family psychologist who delivers more than 200 presentations every year. His keynote address, entitled "Renewing the American Family," will discuss the reasons for the breakdown of the family structure and Rosemond's proposed solutions for solving this issue.

Willie Sterba, a children's musician who has performed at many venues for children and families, will host the general session at noon. In his speech, "The Magic Bridge," he will talk about an important event in his life that led to his love for children and music and his devotion to his career. He will also be performing many of his songs, including one called "Chickens in my Hair," and participants are invited to sing along.

Throughout the day, participants will also be attending workshops focusing on topics concerning children from birth to 7 years. Sterba will be hosting a workshop on "Songwriting with Young People" and another on "How to Play Guitar." Other topics include storytelling, teaching children to be peacemakers, effects of the media on children, and effective discipline. Other workshops, prepared by area teachers, UWP faculty and staff and UWP students enrolled in the education program will focus on effective discipline, developing social skills in young children and how to be a master storyteller.

The UWP chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honorary society in education, has prepared one workshop to present at the conference.

"The Early Childhood Conference is a great way for tri-state area teachers, childcare providers and early childhood education students to network, share ideas and learn new skills," said Livia Daentl, president of Kappa Delta Pi.

Fees for the conference are $60 for early childhood advocates and $40 for early childhood students. This fee includes registration, conference materials, a box lunch and refreshments. Participants will receive 0.6 continuing education units. Participants also have a chance to take a one credit UWP class in addition to attending the conference.

"Participants in the conference get an opportunity to purchase products related to early childcare profession for use in their homes or facilities. Local and State service agencies will also attend as vendors providing beneficial information for the providers about resources or services that are available to them," said Kerie Wedige, UWP community education program manager of the Continuing Education Office.

Last year, the conference brought in over 350 participants. This year, the Office of Continuing Education invites educators to take care of themselves while learning more about and celebrating the early childhood profession with a theme of "Relax, Renew and Rejuvenate."

"The conference is a great opportunity for childcare providers to network and learn important skills that they can take and implement in their own homes or centers," said Wedige.

For more information, participants or vendors may contact the Office of Continuing Education at (608) 342-1314 or cont_ed@uwplatt.edu. Information is also available on the Continuing Education website at www.uwplatt.edu/cont_ed/childhood/index.html.

Contact: Brenda Sunderdance, university services associate, UWP School of Education administration, (608) 342-1131, sunderdb@uwplatt.edu Written by: Morgan Spitzer, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, spitzerm@uwplatt.edu