The University of Wisconsin- Platteville is celebrating its 25th annual Early Childhood Conference with a free concert for children and families.  This concert will feature Jim Gill the award winning singer, songwriter and author.  His latest book, “A Soup Opera,” is a sing-along opera inspired by concerts with symphony orchestras.  The book received an American Library Association award in 2010.  Jim Gills Family Room Tour Concert will be an interactive, playful, fun, family event. The Free Family Room Tour Concert will take place on Friday, March 9th, 6:30p.m. in the Platteville High School Auditorium.

The UW-Platteville Early Childhood Conference was founded by Kathy Iselin, teacher and early childhood advocate.  Kathy described the beginning of the conference, “Historically, the first conference in the 80s grew out of the need for specialization in early childhood education.  More women were joining the workforce, more dual career families evolved and the critical early years of child development were finally being recognized by society.  The first UW-Platteville conference was attended by 75 people for two half-day workshops in the university’s gymnasium.  The following year, David Elkind, a renowned child psychologist, was the keynote presenter.  The conference attracted hundreds of professionals.”

The Early Childhood Conference this year will also attract hundreds of professionals from the tri-state region.  The conference will be held at Ullsvik Hall, on the UW-Platteville campus on Saturday, March 10^th from 7:30-4:00.  If you would like to attend or would like more information you can contact the Office of Continuing Education at 1-888-281-9472(toll free), or online at www.uwplatt.edu/cont_ed.

                Kathy commented on the growth of the conference over the past 25 years, “We now celebrate the growth in both the conference and in early childhood education.  Research on brain development supports what we’ve known for years…that young children are capable learners.  In the words of the late Fred Rogers, “In every neighborhood, all across the country, there are good people insisting on a good start for the young and doing something about it.” The conference will be a day of celebration, renewed energy and innovative ideas”.   The conference this year will feature keynote speaker Jim Gill, who will also be doing two workshops during the day.  The general session will feature Jeff Johnson, speaking about how to maintain and strengthen your smile and your commitment to quality early care and education.  Jeff Johnson is the author of seven books about early learning and he and his wife run a family child care program.  Their program focuses on emergent learning in a play-based and child-centered environment. The conference will also include thirty other workshop sessions led by professionals in the field. 

Book Fair