Pitt-Bradford to host Early Childhood Learning Institute

BRADFORD, PA – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will host the 2015 Early Childhood Learning Institute Professional Development Day on Saturday.

The full-day event is being sponsored by Penn State Extension, Pitt-Bradford, the Potter County Education Council and Northwest Regional Key. Two tracks will allow educators to take part in workshops focused on strengthening families or incorporating science, technology, education and math into early childhood learning.

The cost for the entire day is $21, and continuing education credits are available. Sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4:45 p.m. Lunch is available for purchase on site.

Workshops will have a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on activities. Participants in both tracks will attend a keynote presentation by Bob Esch, vice president of external affairs for American Refining Group and a member of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission, who will discuss “Regional and Statewide Early Childhood Learning Initiatives – Why do They Matter?”

In the strengthening families track, participants will get an introduction to the Protective Factors Framework and the Strengthening Families approach, parental resilience and social connections.

Educators in the STEM education track will receive an introduction to developmentally appropriate practices to teaching STEM to young children and take part in hands-on science and math activities that can be completed with young children.

For more information, contact Jaqueline Amor-Zitzelberger at (814) 765-7878 or jla17@psu.edu.