A conference bringing together early childhood educators to ‘connect the dots’ linking theory and practice will be held at USQ's
Springfield campus next month.
The two day
Celebrating Educators: Connecting the Dots conference will take place in the USQ Springfield Auditorium and Main Building on Saturday 2 February and Sunday 3 February.
A joint initiative of USQ’s Faculty of Education and the Workforce Council Professional Support Network, the conference will cover a wide range of topics relevant to early childhood including; practical ideas for infants and toddlers, building resiliency in today’s children, and inclusion and empowering children to be creative.
Conference organiser and USQ Early Childhood Education Lecturer Dr Alice Brown said keynote speakers Maggie Dent and Dr John Irvine would tackle topics of particular interest to early educators including daring to be an exceptional early childhood leader and defending the role of play in early childhood.
‘Maggie Dent is an author, educator and parenting and resilience specialist with a particular interest in the early years and adolescence,’ Dr Brown said.
‘She’s a passionate advocate for the healthy, common sense rearing of children in order to strengthen families and communities. Ms Dent will be talking about exceptional leadership.
‘Dr Irvine will be discussing whether children’s play is under threat as formal education bears down on children of a younger age.
‘As one of Australia’s most heard, seen and read child psychologists and a regular in the media, including guest spots on
The Project he will provide a unique perspective for attendees to consider.
‘Dr Irvine had his own one teacher school at the age of 18 and taught in NSW schools for many years before becoming a child psychologist and was awarded the Shell Prize for Arts and the University medal during his studies at the University of New England.
‘We will also hear from a wide range of sector representatives including government officers, early childhood education academics, consultants and practitioners.’
Dr Brown said the conference, now in its third year has built on the success of previous events held in 2011 and 2012 and will attract 280 attendees over both days.
‘There was so much positive feedback from previous year’s events and it highlights the need for similar events in the future in the Western Corridor.
‘The conference is an opportunity to celebrate the important role and place of early childhood educators as “builders of brains” and advocates for the role of play in the lives of children’
The USQ Springfield campus currently offers
Bachelor of Education programs with specialisations in Early Childhood, Primary, Special Education, Sports Health and Physical Education, and Secondary.
Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Nita Temmerman said the Early Childhood Education programs are very popular with students and the conference brought together educators from across many sectors.
‘Early Childhood Education is very much at the forefront of both the state and federal education agenda and the conference works through some of the current critical agenda issues such as on-going professional development for educators,' Professor Temmerman said.
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