USQ hosts early childhood conference

USQ hosts Celebrating Educators in the childhood journey 0 - 12 years Conference at the Springfield campus in February

The place of story in Indigenous education, early intervention and building connections between early childhood settings and schools will be just some of the topics explored at a conference for educators to be held at the USQ Springfield campus next month.

The two-day Celebrating Educators in the childhood journey 0 to 12 years Conference, a joint initiative of USQ Faculty of Education and Professional Support Coordinator Queensland (PSCQ), will take place on Saturday 12 February to Sunday 13 February.

Conference organiser and USQ Early Childhood Education Lecturer Dr Louise Phillips said the conference seeks to celebrate the role and place of all educators in the childhood journey.

'The conference is particularly aimed at practitioners involved in the education of young children in childcare, community services or schools,' Dr Phillips said.

'They play such a significant role in the education of young children and their contribution is highly valuable yet they rarely receive the acknowledgement they deserve.

'The conference is an opportunity to acknowledge their contribution and celebrate their tremendous efforts in children’s education, growth and learning.'

The USQ Springfield campus currently offers Bachelor of Education programs with specialisations in Early Childhood, Primary and Special Education.

Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Nita Temmerman said this was the first Early Childhood Education focussed conference to be held at the Springfield campus since the Early Childhood program offerings were made available there.

'Early Childhood Education is very much at the forefront of both the states and federal education agenda and the conference will bring together educators from all interested sectors to work through some of the current critical agenda issues such as on-going professional development for educators,' Professor Temmerman said.

Dr Phillips said there would be an interesting mix of topics explored at the conference.

'Keynote speaker, local Indigenous Elder Aunty Vi McDermott will open the conference talking about the place of story in Indigenous education,' Dr Phillips said.

'How intentional teaching meets play based learning, motivating staff and creative movement with children are some of the other topics which will be discussed throughout sixteen workshops over the two days.'

For more information or to register for the conference phone 1800 112 585 or visit Professional Support Coordinator Queensland website  Registration closes 28 January 2011.

What: Celebrating Educators in the childhood journey 0 to 12 years conference
Where: USQ Auditorium, cnr Sinnathamby Blvd, Springfield Central
When: Saturday, 12 February 9am to 5pm and Sunday 13 February from 8.30am to 12.30pm

Contact Details:
Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0438 309 096