Early Childhood Education Students Take Part in National Conference

Students from the early childhood education major at Pennsylvania College of Technology recently attended the National Association for the Education of Young Children conference in Washington, D.C.

One of the students, Darian B. Buxton, of Jersey Shore, was invited to speak at a town meeting on issues related to on-campus student early childhood education clubs. Topics included how to increase student enrollment, fund raising and promoting the early childhood profession.

In addition, students were able to meet and network with various professionals in the field. One such experience was a meeting with Thomas Moore from Charlotte, N.C., who uses music to create experiences that are appropriate, meaningful and fun for children and teachers. He had the students dancing, singing and learning how to use music to teach young children.

The conference, held every year, attracts more than 25,000 early childhood professionals from around the world. This year's conference was held over four days and included more than 900 sessions on 45 topics, as well as 2,000 exhibits.

"The annual conference allows students to see what is going on in the field outside of Central Pennsylvania," said Thomas C. Heffner, early childhood program specialist and the students' adviser. "It provides them opportunities to discuss and compare their studies with other students, teachers and parents from around the world, which is a different type of education in and of itself."

For more information about the academic programs offered by the School of Integrated Studies at Penn College, call (570) 327-4521, send e-mail or visit on the Web.