��������

Keynote Speaker Jennifer Berke is director of the Early Childhood program at Mercyhurst College's Northeast, Pa., campus.

On Saturday, Oct. 23, SUNY Fredonia will hold the 21^st Annual Early Childhood Conference in McEwen Hall from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as an opportunity to bring early childhood professionals together to share knowledge and ideas to benefit teachers and their students.

The conference, co-sponsored by the College of Education, Chautauqua County Association for the Education of Young Children (CCAEYC), and Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc., will consist of a keynote presentation and two workshop sessions, as well as an optional tour of the new Campus and Community Children’s Center. The featured keynote speaker is Dr. Jennifer Berke, longtime member of CCAEYC and Director of the Early Childhood program at Mercyhurst College’s Northeast, Pa. campus.

The conference brings together the early childhood community of Chautauqua County, which includes those who work in the many early care and education programs, schools and agencies that serve young children and their families. This includes child care facilities, preschools, public schools, private programs and students who are ultimately preparing to enter the early childhood profession. Typically 100 to 150 individuals attend each year.

CCAEYC members may pre-register for a reduced rate of $10 and $15 for non-members and $10 for students. At the door registration, or after the Oct. 15 deadline, is $15 for members, $25 for non-members and $15 for students. Student members who volunteer may register for $5.

“For an early childhood professional, attending an early childhood conference is a very rewarding experience,” said Dr. Mira Berkley, associate professor and coordinator of the Early Childhood Program. “It is wonderful to be among others who share a passion for young children. Many conferees feel renewed, invigorated and inspired after attending a good conference.”

Dr. Berke’s career in early childhood has spanned over 40 years. She has held various positions including classroom teacher, human development specialist, college professor and mother. Her keynote speech titled, “Being on the Floor to Putting Yourself on the Ceiling — What It Might Take to Be an Effective and Joyful Early Childhood Teacher,” examines some of the skills and dispositions that early childhood teachers should cultivate in order to become happy and successful practitioners. In addition, Berke will lead a workshop on “Positive Discipline in Classroom Settings” to help adults to give children the basic skills for making decisions, to help them gradually gain self-control, and to enable them to be responsible for their own behavior.

Other workshops include: 

• “Kindergarten: Making It a Good Place for Families and Children.” Jeremy Daly-Griffen, a kindergarten teacher from Pine Valley, will focus on creating relationships with families & building a caring and cooperative community.
   
• “A Jump Start on a Science Education,” hosted by Fredonia Science Education professor Dr. Michael Jabot, will explain how to help children work on concepts in physical science through design and play.
   
• Marisa Redard and Marie Carpenter’s presentation, “There’s More to Bubbles than Soap and Water,” will explore the science of bubbles in a hands-on inquiry-based workshop. The presenters teach at Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center.
   
• Beth Starks, the Executive Director of the Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center, will present, “Blocks,” exploring how young children’s block play can enhance their social, emotional, math, language, physical, arts and science skills.
   
• “Building Responsive and Respectful Relationships with Infants and Toddlers,” with Rebecca Reed, a disabilities parent advocate, and Susan Marker, a child development specialist with COI, Inc., will discuss how appropriate curriculum for the youngest children comes from building strong relationships.
   
• “Character Education” will discuss how activities and classroom learning centers can help cultivate character, and explore why they are important to include in the teaching environment. The session will be led by Karen Taverna, Faith Woolson, Jessamine Daly-Griffen, members of “A Starting Small Project.”
   
• “Basic Business for Child Care Providers” will discuss how to manage your child care business while protecting yourself and your assets. It will be led by Carol Ford, an asset development specialist with COI, Inc. 
   
• Lorinda Quinn of COI, Inc., will present a session on regulations for providers of child care, using a game format.