Smart Start’s early childhood conference set for Saturday

Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 10, 2014

“Be Curious About Your Classroom,” the third-annual early childhood conference sponsored by Smart Start Rowan, is set for 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Salisbury.
The organization serving children ages birth to 5 has some 200 attendees signed up for the free event, says Laura Villegas, Smart Start’s director of programs.
That’s a record number, she notes. “This is our third year, so people are recognizing the program. We always get a lot of positive feedback.”
Curious George is the conference mascot, and each conference centers around the theme “Be Curious About …”
Shawn Brown of Atlanta, a motivational speaker, actor, comedian and musician, will serve as keynote speaker. Brown, also a conference presenter, offers a “unique style of edu-tainment.”
In addition, local child care providers can attend three different sessions throughout the day geared to the age groups they serve. Topics from the 18 sessions include “Home Providers: Secrets to Success,” “Choosing and Using an Appropriate Curriculum,” “Embracing the Future: Using Technology in Early Childhood Education Programs,” “Creating Classrooms for Curious Infants & Toddlers,” “Science Made Easy,” “Kindergarten Readiness,” and much more.
The event will also recognize the early childhood teacher of the year, the early childhood director of the year and family child care professional of the year, Villegas says. Each title carries a $200 cash award provided by local businesses and individuals: Martha Baker, Hoffner Organic Farm, First Bank, Patterson Farm and Walser Technology.
“This is a wonderful way for our local child care providers to meet, share ideas and learn from the presenters and from one another,” says Amy Brown, Smart Start’s executive director. “This is a day we look forward to all year long.”
Lunch, goody bags and door prizes are included. Nearly three dozen door prizes feature a variety of books, gas cards, gift cards for facials and massages, home décor items and more.
For more information about the conference, contact Laura Villegas at 704-603-3368 or lvillegas@smartstartrowan.org .

Freelance writer Susan Shinn lives in Salisbury.