Early Childhood Conference deadline nears

The registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 16. The conference will be Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24.

The sessions will feature a wide range of early childhood topics presented by at least nine professionals. The conference’s theme is “United We Stand for Children … As We Demonstrate Loving Guidance.”

The conference will open at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, with the first of three sessions that are free and open to the public. During the first two, extension educator Susan Brown of Hastings will present her thoughts about the importance of laughter and give tips for managing time and stress.

At 7 p.m. that day, Dr. Becky Bailey of Oviedo, Fla., will offer tips on how to prevent power struggles with children and helping kids do what is asked of them.

Bailey, who is an award winning author, renowned teacher and recognized expert in early childhood education, also will deliver Saturday’s opening keynote address, “Creating a School Family – The Key to Impulse Control.”

Bailey has worked 25 years as a university professor, and has taught students ranging in age from infants to adults. She is founder and president of Loving Guidance, Inc., an organization dedicated to creating positive environments for children, families, schools and businesses.

The conference will conclude Saturday with Brown’s address, “The Power of Positive Touch,” which begins at 3 p.m.

Other presenters of the conference include Chadron State faculty members Jay Sutliffe and Deborah Lewis Fraval, Kate Murphy and Helen Bartee of Bellevue’s Fontenelle Forest, Tyler Esch of McCook Community College, Dr. Russ Seger of Chadron, Sue Erpelding of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Melody Leisy of Bridgeport.

The complete conference schedule and registration information may be obtained at the conference’s Web site, www.csc.edu/ecc.

More information also can be obtained by contacting Dr. Kim Madsen, the conference’s coordinator, at (308) 432-6372, kmadsen@csc.edu, or Chadron State Conferencing at (308) 432-6380.