Grove City College, along with regional educational partners, will host the 2015 Midwestern Early Childhood Institute on Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17. The theme is “Equipping Professionals and Families for the 21st Century.”
Attendees will be able to partake in a variety of breakout sessions designed to support parents of young children and professionals working within early childhood education. Presentations will cover topics including: integrating technology in the classroom; approaches to dealing with difficult behavior; preparing children for kindergarten; learning through play; exposing young children to literature, healthy habits for children and families; and children’s emotional health.
Gigi Schweikert – a national expert on early childhood education, parenting, and leadership – will be the keynote speaker, presenting “Winning Ways for Partnering with Families” on Friday and “How to Balance and Survive the Stress of Being a Working Parent” on Saturday.
Admission is free for parents. Educators can earn seven Act 48 and/or PQAS hours per day at a rate of $30 per day. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to on both days. To register and for more information, click HERE.
In the fall of 2011, with the vision and concern of Grove City College education professors Dr. Constance Nichols and Dr. Pat Scheffler, a variety of early childhood stakeholders formed to improve early childhood education in the four counties surrounding Grove City College. These diverse stakeholders – made up of the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV, the PA Keys, Grove City College, school district administrators, and both public and private early childhood teachers – are dedicated to not just helping a few children succeed, but to transforming early education in the region for the betterment of children and their families.
The council obtained grants, hosted symposiums, conducted surveys and professional development workshops, and created the biennial Midwestern Early Childhood Institute to provide training and networking opportunities for educators, parents and natural supports in the community.