- April 25, 2024
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Studies show that learning how to share toys while in preschool is more important in the long term than learning how to read while in preschool. That was one of the principles advocated by the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties Inc. at the annual Discovering the Joy conference, held last week at Flagler Palm Coast High School.
Sharing and being respectful “won’t show up on the FCAT,” according to Lara Glaser, executive director, but a successful preschool experience is a predictor of success in a career and other long-term success.
“Our community’s children will benefit from the training our teachers received,” she said.
The Early Learning Coalition teamed up with the Flagler Technical Institute- Adult and Community Education and Flagler County Public Schools to present Discovering the Joy.
More than 450 professionals gathered in the Flagler Auditorium for a keynote presentation, “Through the Eyes of a Child,” which demonstrated the importance of considering the perspectives of children when planning activities in early childhood classrooms.
The address was followed by these presentations: “Literacy and Technology,” “Science,” “Promoting Social and Emotional Skills,” “Extending Story Times” and “Open-ended Art.” An interactive concert featured songs for young children.
Breakout sessions included “Emotional Literacy,” “Engaging Fathers and Father Figures,” “Methods of Montessori” and “Nutrition in Early Childhood.” Teachers also learned how to create materials such as flannel board stories, posters and charts and activity plans.
Local residents who presented at the conference include Marge Campany, Department of Education, VPK regional facilitator; Joanne Gore, Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource Systems/Northeast Florida Educational Consortium, child find specialist; Sandy Johnson, Technical Assistance and Training Systems, Northeast regional facilitator; Cindy Dalecki, Marketing 2 Go; Emanuella Rojas, Montessori School of Palm Coast; Laureen Faulkner, LaJuana McKay and Steve Hrisak, instructors for Flagler Technical Institute; and the Palm Coast Fire Department.
