Conference Keynote Explores How to Create Communities of Belonging for Children

With all the pressures on the contemporary family, many children struggle with knowing where they belong. Children grow and learn best in spaces where they feel they belong. How can parents and early childhood educators create such environments? Traveling minstrel and educator Tom Hunter will use stories, songs, and research results to address this issue in his keynote address "Creating Communities of Belonging for Young Children" at the Making Tomorrow conference for parents and child educators on May 5 at UVic. The 24th annual conference is sponsored by the Vancouver Island Cooperative Preschool Association (VICPA) in cooperation with UVic's school of child and youth care.

Hunter's entertaining and enlightening keynote kicks off a day of workshops on a wide range of topics including earth sciences for kids, bullying and harassment, promoting positive body image, fostering numeracy, talking about sex, and television.

UVic faculty members among the workshop presenters include Dr. Eileen Van Der Flier-Keller (geography), the author of South Vancouver Island Earth Science Fun Guide, who will discuss and demonstrate "Earth Sciences for Kids;" and Dr. Werner Liedtke (education), who will explore how parents can contribute to mathematical literacy and flexible thinking in "Fostering Numeracy and Creative Thinking."

Registration fees for the conference are $30 per person (VICPA members/early childhood education students), $40 (non-members), $50 per couple (VICPA members) and $65 per couple (non-members). This includes the keynote address, two workshops, lunch, refreshments, and parking. Registration forms are available at local libraries, recreation centres and Vancouver Island Cooperative Association preschools, or by calling (250) 382-0214.

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