Early Childhood Conference features Kohn, Trent

 Alfie Kohn, a nationally renowned speaker and writer on education and parenting, deliver the keynote address at the 2007 Wyoming Early Childhood Association (WECA) conference, scheduled for Sept. 21-22 at the Casper Parkway Plaza.

Kohn's talk begins at 8 a.m. Saturday and is open to the public as well as WECA members. He will base the WECA address on his book, Beyond Discipline: From Compliance to Community. The keynote address is co-sponsored by the University of Wyoming/Casper College Center, Natrona County School District 1, and Albany County School District 1.

Kohn's other books on education and parenting include Punished by Rewards, Unconditional Parenting, The Homework Myth and The Schools Our Children Deserve. He is one of the foremost voices heard in current debates on education in America today, including discussions about the No Child Left Behind Act.

UW College of Education faculty member Allen Trent is the WECA's featured Wyoming speaker. Trent, head of the UW Department of Educational Studies, will open the conference on Friday night. In a session titled "Playing with Theories: Teaching, Learning, Art and Community," Trent will engage participants in hands-on activities that demonstrate the connections between learning theories and the arts.

Other program highlights include pre-conference workshops on "Operating a Successful Child Care Business" and "Learning Environments The Essential Teaching Element," and a Saturday luncheon speech by Wyoming early childhood development educational consultant Anita Sullivan.

Teachers, professionals in early child care and education, child advocates, parents and other interested citizens are welcome to attend the conference or Kohn's keynote. For more information on the Casper event, or to register for the conference or the keynote, visit the WECA website, www.wyeca.org, or call the WECA office, 1-877-234-3162.

Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007