Conference shows early learning is key
BUTLER TWP — What a child learns before kindergarten can impact him or her for years — even decades — to come.
Perhaps it was a point that many Butler and Beaver county educators already knew, but it was a fact reiterated by Mary “Terry” Vetere, Education Department Chair at Slippery Rock University and keynote speaker at the 17th annual Building Bridges for Children Conference.
The event, which took place at Butler County Community College on Monday, was organized by Lifesteps.
Vetere said children with a more structured pre-kindergarten education are less likely to repeat grade levels up to 8th grade, and are more likely to graduate from high school.
“You are so important in helping to bridge the home to school to parent connection,” she said to the group of 70 early childhood educators.
She added that with additional federal and state funds earmarked for early education, things are looking up.
“Good things are coming down the pike for our profession,” Vetere said.
Educators from Lifesteps, Butler County Community College Child Care, Butler Early Years Child Care, Pathways of Southwest Pennsylvania, Butler Montessori School, Slippery Rock University preschool and other local preschools were represented at the all-day conference.
Group sessions covered topics such as choices to combat childhood obesity, supporting children's play and lesson planning using a creative curriculum.
Deborah Lanzo, a certified instructor with Valley Community Services, showed teachers ways that play time and education can be inextricably linked, particularly when it comes to early education. Teacher and student participation helps with the process, too.
And Darlene Sansone, a Better Kid Care coordinator with Penn State University, showed the group that childhood obesity is a growing epidemic. Teaching students portion control, limiting sugar intake and making creative healthy meals are all ways to tackle the obesity issue.
Educators received credit for being there, and Stacy Slater, Vice President of Early Education with Lifesteps, said the conference is beneficial for educators for a variety of reasons.
“It's about working on building camaraderie,” she said. “It's about teamwork, and working with one another.”
