The Chautauqua County Association for the Education of Young Children will host its fifteenth annual Early Childhood Conference on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in McEwen Hall at SUNY Fredonia. This conference gives local childcare providers, teachers, parents and others a chance to hear regionally and nationally recognized experts in the early childhood field.
 
Conference participants will have the opportunity to attend two of five individual workshops as well as the keynote address. The workshop topics include:
 

• A Dynamic Approach to Classroom Management

• Fearful, Flexible or Feisty: Working With Temperament

• The Business of Family Child Care - Increase Your Profits Using a Professional Business Plan

• The Emotional Development of Infants and Toddlers

• The CCAEYC Starting Small: Teaching Tolerance Project

• Transitions

Kim Hughes will present the keynote address, "The Good Things We Do for Children." Ms. Hughes is a 21-year veteran of early childhood and education, and currently teaches 4-year-olds, and trains early childhood professionals at both the state and national levels. She will explore the role of teacher, child, parent, and the classroom environment in promoting the motivation for kids to succeed in all facets of teaching and learning.
 
Ms. Hughes says, "Teaching is a world-changing work. Children crave thoughtful, caring adults who can nurture and challenge them, coach and guide them, understand and care about them. Working with children helps many adults be their best self…because those who love teaching, love what happens to themselves when they work with young children."
 
Interested parents, child care providers, elementary teachers and students are invited to attend. To obtain registration forms, log on to the Success By 6 website at www.ccsb6.org or call Chautauqua County Child Care Council at 366-8176 or 664-4999. Early registrations are due by Sept. 18.
 
The conference is sponsored by a number of local early childhood organizations including the Chautauqua County Association for the Education of Young Children, the Chautauqua County Child Care Council, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Success By 6, and the SUNY Fredonia College of Education.