Early childhood conference held at Concordia

The 12th annual Early Childhood Conference hosted by Concordia University, Nebraska took place Wednesday, June 15.  This year’s theme was “A Place for Each of Us.”

“The conference provides excellence in professional development and networking among early childhood professionals including pastors, directors of Christian education, teachers and para-professionals from a variety of settings,” said Annette Oliver, conference organizer and professor of education at Concordia.

Dr. Judy Harris Helm was the keynote speaker. The luncheon speaker was Dr. Barbara Schoenbeck.

Helm began her career teaching first grade. She has taught both youngsters and adults and has designed and directed early childhood programs. For the past ten years she has assisted early childhood and elementary schools throughout the country and internationally to integrate research and new methods through her consulting and training company, Best Practices, Inc. Helm has authored many books and her work has been translated into five languages.

The director of Early Childhood Education at Concordia University, St. Paul for 27 years, Schoenbeck spoke about celebrating the time spent with young children.

Sectional offerings available during the conference included

• Assessment for young children
• Meeting standards
• Creating young artists
• Developing individualized behavioral support plans
• Creating classroom portfolios for early childhood accreditation
• Fun science activities for children
• The power of play
• Music and you

See also: www.cune.edu/ECC