PHILADELPHIA, April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC) hosts its 2011 Early Childhood Conference Thursday, May 5 through Saturday, May 7 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This year's theme -- "Picture Every Child Confident and Secure" -- focuses on exploring the social and emotional needs of young children and includes a roster of expert and entertaining presenters who will address the interests and demands of early education teachers, administrators, and other professionals, as well as parents.

More than 3,000 attendees are expected at DVAEYC's Annual Conference, which is presented by PNC Financial Services Group and has been the premier early childhood professional development event in the region for more than 40 years.

Some of the unique and thought-provoking presenters are highlighted below.

• Steven Gross started a small, grassroots nonprofit called Project Joy, where college students would get together and play with local homeless children for an hour a week. The positive effects on the children were remarkable, inspiring Gross to expand his program to several preschools, housing developments, and shelters. In 2010, Project Joy became part of the Life is good Kids Foundation. The program's Playmakers are dedicated childcare professionals working with children ages three to six who have been impacted by trauma. Gross will discuss the power of play to help children heal and grow. Friday Keynote/Plenary Session, 9:00-10:30 am
• Lisa Murphy, aka the Ooey Gooey Lady®, presents to audiences across the country on various topics related to early childhood education and how to be more hands-on and play-based in the classroom. She has been featured in various publications, authored four books, and created dozens of teacher training DVDs, all showcasing her ability to blend laughter with learning. Saturday Keynote/Closing Session, 2:45-4:00 pm
• Dr. Stephen Bagnato conducted extensive research to determine the success of Pre-K Counts, a public-private partnership among philanthropies and Pennsylvania government departments through the Office of Child Development and Early Learning. Bagnato will discuss the findings of his three-year study, which help prove how critical early learning in quality preschool settings is to the success of all children. Friday Afternoon Session, 1:30-3:30 pm
• Jacqueline Edelberg and Susan Kurland discuss the inspiring story of how they transformed and revitalized a Chicago public elementary school, as documented in their book, How to Walk to School: Blueprint for a Neighborhood School Renaissance. Their work shows how the energy and determination of a group of parents and a dedicated principal turned around a struggling and challenged school and created a thriving and vibrant educational environment for its young students. Friday Morning Session, 11:00 am-12:30 pm; and Saturday Morning Session, 8:30-10:00 am (Note: the Saturday presentation is available separately for a fee of $20.)

The event kicks off with a pre-conference day on Thursday, May 5, with the theme "Creating Environments Where Children Thrive." Participants choose one of three tracks to follow for the day: Greening Your Program; Play: Creating Opportunities to Learn; or Keystone STARS: Quality Improvement.

Throughout Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7, conference sessions are categorized according to the participant's educational focus – Infant/Toddler; Preschool; K-3; School Age; Leaders; or Administration – in addition to sessions of interest to all groups. Professional development credit is available for conference attendance.

"While awareness about the impact of quality early education on our children's future continues to grow, we look forward to offering a forum where industry professionals, leaders, and parents can learn about the latest developments and proven strategies to strengthen our schools and programs," said Sharon Easterling, executive director, DVAEYC.  "As this year's theme suggests, we hope our attendees leave inspired and equipped to boost the confidence and success of each and every child they meet."

"PNC believes that supporting professional development for teachers and child care workers is vital to children's success in school and in life," said Bill Mills, president of PNC for Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.  "That's why PNC made early education our signature cause, launching a program back in 2004 called PNC Grow Up Great, our 10-year, $100 million investment in preschool readiness. Our commitment to realizing the goal of improving the lives of young children grows stronger with each passing year, thanks to the partnerships we've developed with outstanding organizations such as DVAEYC."

Pricing for the conference for both DVAEYC members and non-members is as follows:

For additional information and registration, visit http://www.dvaeyc.org/.

About DVAEYC

DVAEYC, the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children, was incorporated in 1967 by a group of early childhood educators. Affiliated with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), DVAEYC's 2,000 members champion high quality early care and education for all young children (birth to eight) in Southeastern Pennsylvania. DVAEYC supports early childhood professionals and programs, and leads efforts to engage parents, policy makers and business leaders.

SOURCE DVAEYC