Early Childhood Conference getting 'Ooey and Gooey'

The theme for this year’s conference is “United We Stand for Children … Exploring Ooey and Gooey.” 

Kim Madsen, the conference's director, said the two day event promises participants a quality professional development experience with a day of inspiration, motivational and hands on presentations and workshops that support best practices in early childhood education.

Workshop sessions will be back-to-back Friday, Feb. 17. Staff from the Ellsworth Air Force Base of South Dakota, Dan Darr and Diane Waddell, will start the workshop sessions with “Science Explorations, Explosions and More.” They will be followed by co-workers Kara Brown and Crystal Emmons, who will present “Prop Boxes – Stop the Dramatic Play Blues.”

Following these two workshops will be concurrent sessions by Cindy Molina, trainer for the Early Learning Connections. Molina will present three sessions required by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services for child care providers. “Safe with You – Child Abuse and Neglect,” “Safe Sleep” and “Shaken Baby Syndrome” will each be presented to fulfill licensure requirements. There is no charge for these three sessions.

The free family-oriented “I am Moving, I am Learning” session will be in the ballroom Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. Parents, children and all who wish to learn the importance of moving and learning at the same time are welcome to attend. 

Lisa Murphy, known as ‘The Ooey, Goey Lady,’will deliver the keynote address and present workshops all day on Saturday, Feb. 18.  Lisa has been involved with early childhood education for more than 20 years. She has taught and worked with children in various environments including Head Start programs, kindergarten, private preschools, family childcare, park and recreation centers, group homes and many other child care centers.

Murphy is the founder and CEO of Ooey, Goey, Inc. As the Ooey Goey Lady, Murphy presents more than 150 workshops each year to audiences across the country about various topics related to early childhood education, specifically how to be more play-based in the classroom. She has been featured in various publications including Child Care Business Exchange, Parents, and Pre-k Today. Murphy has authored four books and has created dozens of teacher training DVDs. A highly sought after keynoter educational conferences, Murphy uses humor and real life anecdotes to reach and engage her audiences. 

Murphy’s presentations include: “What If Today Was Their Only Day?,” “Identifying and Creating Child Centered Environments,” “Ooey, Gooey Sensory Playtime”, and the “Importance of Early Experiences.”

The conference agenda, presenter information, brochure, registration and college credit information are available on the website www.csc.edu/ecc.

A large display and vendor area is expected. Individuals or groups interested in setting up a booth at the conference may contact Katie Williamson at kaconn@eagles.csc.edu or Jennifer Baumann at 308-430-5447.  

The conference will also be offered for one hour of college credit, continuing education units and professional development units.

For more information about the conference, contact Madsen at kmadsen@csc.edu or 308-432-6372 or the Chadron State College conferencing office at 308-432-6380.