Florida Association for the Education of Children 54th Annual Conference

I attended the conference in Orlando, FL from September 25-27, 2009. The first impression I had was that the traffic from NW Florida to Orlando was much lighter this year than two years ago. Moreover, the traffic along International Drive in Orlando was significantly lighter. I'm certain all of this is a reflection of the depressed economy.

I was selected to lead a round-table discussion on September 27 with the subject: Creating Arts and Science Foundations in Early Childhood Education.






To highlight points in my presentation, I took samples of my handmade learning support pieces to show how original wood-crafted products can be used within the curriculum to help satisfy state and national requirements in educating 3-5 year olds. I hid objects in boxes and requested attendees guess what was in each box. Among the topics I touched on were geometry (general and fractal), numerals and the alphabet on different shapes (cubes, disks, etc.) and of different textures. One of my objects showed how preschool and kindergarten students can be exposed to physics concepts--in this case Newton's Laws of Motion in a fun and inviting way. Also, I included a nesting box, which demonstrated how it can be used to have students guess what is inside the final small size in the series while at the same time allowing students reveal their knowledge of plants, animals, the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and colors though their guesses. I was delighted to see everyone engaged and excited about the possibility of trying to replicate some of the strategies I used in designing the activities.

Two of my goals in making handcrafted learning objects are (1) to have each piece look inviting and (2) to have each piece feel smooth and warm to the touch. The feedback from the attendees reflected these goals were met with the pieces I brought to the conference. I particularly appreciated the feedback toward one object that would allow me make a change to add a new dimension to the learning experience of students.

I would like to thank members of the Florida Association for the Education of Young Children (a recent name change from the Early Childhood Association of Florida) for selecting me to share my ideas with attendees. Also, I must show appreciation to the educators who attended my presentation and provided insightful comments.

Notes from the Conference - Part 4 (Last One)

Here are pictures of a demonstration of using an activity that incorporates Florida educational standards for 3-5 year olds.

Volunteers received a one-minute time limit to put together a fabric puzzle using a picture of the completed puzzle that was projected on the presentation screen. After the construction of the puzzle, I received feedback concerning the standards used, then I displayed the skills from the standards I had targeted when the activity was developed. The activity inspired a few of the attendees to use the idea to smaller puzzles for their children.

All in all, the conference was a great learning experience for me. There were so many presentations and workshops that I missed much information, particularly since I was seeking the most current information on educational standards from state officials because I use educational standards in my consultations.

It’s interesting to note that I heard no information concerning lead paint and toys from China. I wondered whether that issue was low key since many toy companies were represented at the conference. I was curious about risk management at childcare centers and other locations serving children in regard to toys as well as predators and other safety issues. I’m assuming that I was in a different learning track and that those issues were discussed.

Notes from the Conference - Part 3

On Saturday I provided a presentation titled “Connecting Activities to Florida Educational Standards.” The attendance for my presentation started out slowly, but a nice size group arrived. A few conferees left during the presentation, and I got the impression that they wanted a kit to use to apply the educational standards—one person even asked for one. Apparently, conferees were aware of state educational standards that have been in the field for at least four years, but the standards haven’t been applied broadly. In many cases children center haven’t either trained staff members or ensured staff members have been trained to apply the standards. At the conference attendees were on a search to find free lesson plans, kits, and etc. to carry back to their centers and use without having to work developing activities using standards to fit their particular situation.

Notes from the Conference - Part 2

Dr. Eugene Garcia (Arizona St. University) provided the keynote address on Friday morning of the conference. He related a story concerning a young Hispanic girl being “renamed” by a teacher upon entering school because the young girl’s name was too difficult for the teacher to pronounce. The young girl accepted the name along with the discomfort of having it. This story was interesting to me because I heard a similar story while living in Africa in 1992-1994. In Kenya I was told that Africans children were “renamed” by missionaries as part of the entrance requirements for missionary schools. I guess one can call this process “re-culturing.”

Another interesting point at the conference surfaced at the Children’s Rally Luncheon. The speaker, Cathy Powers (Early Childhood Association of FL Vice President of Public Policy), indicated a plan for childcare providers to have bachelor degrees. One attendee was highly offended by the idea and remarked so. From the force of the attendee’s comments I understand her discomfort.

When I taught the CDA certification course at a local college I realized that a significant number of childcare workers had weak academic skills. Being forced to attend college courses was frustrating. I got the impression that being a childcare worker and being able to teach basic skills to children was comfortable and perhaps even an escape from higher academic pursuits, in some cases.

I understand the need to have highly knowledgeable caregivers. To assume that such caregivers, however, need to have a college degree is faulty logic. A college degree would be less efficient, I believe, than a childcare specialist certificate in early childhood education. I think having skills to transition students from a home environment to a school environment in a positive manner is more useful in childcare than the ability to teach academic skills to young students.

Notes from the Conference - Part 1

Over the next couple of days, I’m going to post a few entries concerning the 52nd Annual Early Childhood Association of Florida Conference I attended on September 28-29. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the attendance level for the conference was estimated at 3,000, which included only 20 were males, according to one registration official. Of the 3,000 I recognized only one person who was from the area where I lived. The group was friendly although I felt some attendees wondered what I was doing there--one of only two Black male attendees.

The conference opened at about 8:45 a.m. on Sept 28 after professional development sessions the day prior. The dais members were introduced and afterward, Amy Goldin, a teacher-singer-composer-arranger-conductor (http://www.amygoldin.com/), lead the conferees through a high-energy series of kiddy songs. My initial impression was: She has a beautiful voice, but it's w-a-a-a-a-a-y too early for me to participate in "happy-happy" songs without benefit of a cup of coffee! Perhaps only having a few hours of sleep the night before may have accounted for my attitude. I felt guilty not fully participating in the rousting activity and wanted to take a photo with Amy Goldin to reduce my guilt, but when the session ended, I couldn't locate Amy Goldin.

Preparing for a Presentation

I've been busy preparing for a presentation at the Early Childhood Association of Florida annual conference in Orlando on Sept 29. My presentation is on connecting activities to Florida educational standards. Today I realized that someone else has a similar presentation title. I'm sure our presentations will be vastly different because the foundation of my presentation is using original activities that I've developed spanning from games, puzzles, and puppetry. One of my goals is to show how to develop activities with use of minimal material made in China. Also, I hope to inspire others to make their own toys and accessories to control quality. More info after returning from the conference.