Best-selling authors slated as keynote speakers at March 19 Early Childcare Conference

Early Childhood Conference

Early childhood educators, parents and caregivers from across the country will have the opportunity to attend this year's University of Wisconsin-Platteville Early Childhood Conference on Saturday, March 19. The annual conference provides participants a day of learning and collaborating within the early childhood education field. This year, the conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. online via Zoom. Registration for the virtual event is now open.

"We're thrilled to offer this great opportunity for our area's early childhood teachers to connect and collaborate with experts from across the country," said Chenoa Ruecking, education and training program manager. "This is our second year offering this conference virtually – and I know this year's conference will bring the same level of engagement, interaction and fun."

This year's keynote speakers include authors Holly Elissa Bruno and Todd Parr. The full lineup of the day's scheduled events include:

  • Happiness is Running Through the Streets to Find You (8-11 a.m.)
  • Wonder-filled childhood (11 a.m.-1 p.m.)
  • The Joyful Book (1-2 p.m.)

Bruno has won numerous awards, given keynote speeches across the globe and once served as Maine's assistant attorney general. Her sixth book, “Happiness is Running Through the Streets to Find You; Translating Trauma's Harsh Legacy into Healing” (2020), sold out almost immediately. The lessons from the book will be the foundation for her speech, which will provide insights on how the dark times can bring out the best, not just the worst in us.

Todd Parr is the author and illustrator of more than 40 books for children, including the New York Times bestselling “The I Love You Book,” “The Earth Book,” and “The Thankful Book.” Parr’s books have won several awards, and his TV show, “ToddWorld,” was nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards. He'll be discussing how joy, humor and diverse representation in children's literature promotes kindness and inclusion during his afternoon session.  

For more information and to register for the conference, visit Go.UWPlatt.edu/ECC.