IT'S A SOUTHERN THING FOR THESE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS

Contact: Glenda Bean
501-221-1648 (o), 501-626-2573 (m)

IT'S A SOUTHERN THING FOR THESE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS

Covington, KY/March 3, 2008—The South has been called "the nation's trailblazers for early childhood education" for its commitment to teaching preschoolers. There is even an organized group supporting these educators, and it's coming to Northern Kentucky for its annual conference in late March

The Little Rock, Arkansas-based Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA) holds its 59th Annual Conference at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center March 27-29. SECA represents 20,000 members in 14 Southern states according to Executive Director Glenda Bean. Since 1948 it has brought together preschool, kindergarten, and primary teachers and administrators, caregivers, program directors, and individuals working with and for families, to promote quality care and education for young children.

Bean says Arkansas is a state that represents the emphasis that Southern states place on the issue. "The legislative session last year put $100 million in early childhood education to provide more programs throughout the state and to serve more children. Other Southern states are making similar commitments to early childhood education."

Speakers highlighting the conference include:

• Thursday, March 27, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Drs. J. Ronald Lally and Peter Mangione, Co-Directors of the WestEd Center for Child and Family Studies (FLA), present a seminar entitled New Perspectives on Infant/Toddler Learning, Development and Care;
• Friday, March 28, 10:15-11:45 a.m., Dr. Sue Bredekamp, Research Director at the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington D.C. will address New Perspectives on Best Practice in Early Childhood Education;
• Friday, March 28, 12:00 p.m., Dr. Todd Shields, a University of Kentucky graduate and Director of the Center of Southern Politics and Society at the University of Arkansas/Fayetteville, will discuss What Makes the South Unique in describing the cultural and economic nuances that make early childhood education efforts strong in the region;
• Saturday, March 29, 8:30 a.m.-9:45 a.m., Dr. Becky Bailey explains Upset: The Key to Teaching Responsibility as this award-winning author, teacher and internationally recognized expert in child and developmental psychology shares her expertise on guidance and discipline.

Information: 800-305-SECA or online www.southernearlychildhood.org.

The mission of the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau is that of an aggressive sales, marketing, service and informational organization whose primary responsibility is to positively impact the Northern Kentucky economy through conventions, meetings and visitor expenditures. The direct economic impact of visitors' spending in Campbell, Kenton and Boone Counties in 2006 was $263 million.