The Department of Human Services in collaboration with government agencies and non-profit organizations will host the 14th annual Best Beginnings early childhood conference. The conference is scheduled for Monday, May 21 and Tuesday, May 22, at the UVI, St. Croix Campus (Great Hall), and Thursday, May 24 and Friday, May 25, at the UVI, St. Thomas Campus (Sports and Fitness Center). Registration will be held at 8 a.m. with keynote activities beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Entitled “Quality for Every Child Across Early Childhood Settings” the conference will emphasize the importance of developing literacy, language and social skills in a child’s early years as the foundation of educational success in their academic future. Beulah Lateef, Ed.D., associate professor of early childhood and special education at UVI will be the keynote speaker.
Over 25 professional development workshops are scheduled to be presented each day, focusing on topics such as, nutrition, safe and healthy environments, cultural diversity, best practices in early childhood education, behavior management and business management practices. New sessions were added to the series including information on immunizations, and the national ‘Let’s Move!’ health initiative.
Child care will be provided on St. Croix at the St. Croix Educational Complex and on St. Thomas at the Sports and Fitness Center. The fee is $5 each day. Best Beginnings is sponsored by nine Virgin Islands agencies serving the health and education needs of young children and their parents in the territory and serves the professional development needs of over 1000 teachers, caregivers, parents, health care and early childhood professionals in the territory each year.
Entitled “Quality for Every Child Across Early Childhood Settings” the conference will emphasize the importance of developing literacy, language and social skills in a child’s early years as the foundation of educational success in their academic future. Beulah Lateef, Ed.D., associate professor of early childhood and special education at UVI will be the keynote speaker.
Over 25 professional development workshops are scheduled to be presented each day, focusing on topics such as, nutrition, safe and healthy environments, cultural diversity, best practices in early childhood education, behavior management and business management practices. New sessions were added to the series including information on immunizations, and the national ‘Let’s Move!’ health initiative.
Child care will be provided on St. Croix at the St. Croix Educational Complex and on St. Thomas at the Sports and Fitness Center. The fee is $5 each day. Best Beginnings is sponsored by nine Virgin Islands agencies serving the health and education needs of young children and their parents in the territory and serves the professional development needs of over 1000 teachers, caregivers, parents, health care and early childhood professionals in the territory each year.
