Early Childhood Conference slated

BOWLING GREEN, O.—New techniques for building motor skills and fostering courage and compassion in children will be explored during the 31st annual Early Childhood Conference at Bowling Green State University.

Dr. Charles A. Smith of Kansas State University, a widely recognized expert on raising courageous children, will present the keynote address, “ First Steps to Mighty Hearts: The Origins of Courage in Young Children.”

He also will speak in two related workshops during the conference sponsored by the BGSU College of Education and Human Development and Continuing and Extended Education. The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 22 at Olscamp Hall.

In his address, Smith will discuss how to cultivate the courage, devotion, integrity and honor in children that enables them to stand up to life's challenges. He also will lead sessions on “The Compassionate Curriculum: Building Blocks for Conscience, Courage and Character,” and “Chronicle of Hope: How Stories Nurture Courage in Young Children.”

His presentations will include discussions of how board and card games, television programs and online educational resources promote learning for children.

A professor and parent educator in the School of Family Studies and Human Services at Kansas State, Smith has designed a number of parent education programs used by educators throughout the United States. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Dayton and earned master's and doctoral degrees in child development from Purdue University.

Those attending the daylong conference will have a selection of more than 25 workshops on current trends from which to choose. Presenters from organizations such as YWCA Child Care Connections, Children's Resource Center and the BGSU Child Development Center will address a range of topics related to mental health and motor skill development.

The cost to attend is $50 for those who register on or before Sept. 8 and $60 after Sept. 8. For more information or to register, call 419-372-8181 or 1-877-650-8165 or visit http://pace.bgsu.edu.

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(Posted September 05, 2007)