ucation d E d o o h d il h C ly r a WCCC E sletter w e N m a r g o r P ) 4 K (Pre Volume 5, Edition 6
Westmoreland County Community College Inside this issue: PAEYC Conference Experience
1
Brain Development & Lifelong Learning
2
Spring 2013 Scheduling
2
Transfer Fair Pre-Graduation Fair
3
ECE Club News
4
Advocacy Opportunity Professional Development Opportunities Become a Member of PAEYC
5
Volunteers Wanted
5, 6
Copy of Observation Verification Log
October 18, 2012
PAEYC Conference Experience from Student Perspective Volunteering at the PAEYC Conference was a wonderful opportunity for me to see what is currently going on in the field of Early Childhood Education. It opened my eyes to new ways of teaching. In one session, I learned how play can be integrated into learning. For example, we can build motor skills (play) while teaching colors and shapes! Another session talked about bringing technology into the classroom. It was presented by two teachers and one parent in the field of technology. Together they formed a classroom, where kindergarten children build circuits and cities with lights that turned on and off with switches. Not only was this awesome to see what the kids could do, but showed me how beneficial parent-teacher relationships can be. My last session focused on S.T.E.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). This session was a blast! The teacher did not just hand us a worksheet, but acted out skits and ask open ended questions. It was just pure fun, and I could imagine how much fun children would have if I enjoyed it this much. PAEYC was a wonderful experience, and I am so grateful I was able to volunteer. Submitted by Kristen Y. WCCC ECE Students and Staff Attend PAEYC Conference
Early Childhood Education Program Beth Hoden Office Phone: 724-925-4013 Email: hodenb@wccc.edu Nancy Rustic Office Phone: 724-925-4035 Email: rustic@wccc.edu Vicki Hricik Office Phone: 724-925-4013 Email: hricikv@my.wccc.edu
Inside look at the “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” display.
From left: Beth Hoden, Kristen, Megan, Megan, Bethany, and Nancy Rustic.
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WCCC Early Childhood Education (PreK-4) Program Newsletter
Brain Development and Lifelong Learning A child’s brain develops so rapidly un the first years, it’s almost impossible for us to imagine. By age five, about 90% of our brains are developed. The circuits for key functions such as vision/hearing, language, and higher cognitive function develop most in the first five years of life. The creation of these circuits is affected by a child’s early learning environment. Bad experiences actually chew away at brain connections, while good quality experiences spur healthy development. After age five, the number of new connections slows, making it more difficult to build the necessary cognitive and social skills. Essentially our children’s early learning experiences will effect their brain development and learning for life. A child’s early experiences (both positive and negative) can actually affect the structure of the brain! In addition to a child’s health and nutrition, every experience-whether it is seeing one’s first rainbow, riding a bicycle, reading a book, sharing a joke-”turns on” certain neural circuits and leaves others inactive. Those that are constantly turned on over time will be strengthened, while those that are rarely excited be drop away. Poor nutrition, abuse and neglect can have devastating effects on a child’s brain development. According to Dr. Bruce Perry, a neurobiologist and authority on brain development and children in crises, “The systems in the human brain that allow us to form and maintain emotional relationships develop during infancy and the first years of life...With severe emotional neglect in early childhood the impact can be devastating.” This article taken from www.papromiseforchildren.com on 10/12/2012.
Another interesting article, “Brain Connectivity Predicts Reading Skills,” discusses how children can benefit from personalized lessons based on brain scans. You can view this article by going to the linkhttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id+brainconnectivity-predicts-reading-skills
Spring 2013 Schedule—Early Advising/Registration The spring 2013 credit class schedule is now available online. Currently enrolled ECE students may email or call their Beth or Nancy to arrange a one-on-one meeting to plan their schedules . Early advising/registration runs from October 15-28. Early advising/registration is not open to probation and non-degree seeking students. Regular spring registration begins Monday, November 5.
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Your WCCC ECE Associate’s Degree Easily Transfers Community college students who earn an associate in applied science degree or associate of science degree in early childhood education may transfer up to 60 credits into the bachelor’s degree programs at four-year schools. Students may pursue teacher certification, majoring in early childhood education at the universities. WCCC Early Childhood Education graduates should be aware there is an articulation agreement with 5 universities to easily transfer all credits earned without repeating coursework or losing credits. These universities are: Carlow University, California University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Slippery Rock University. If you missed the Transfer Fair held October 17, you can make an appointment with a transfer counselor at WCCC. They will be able to give you the valuable information you need to continue your studies towards a bachelor’s degree. Please call Transfer Services at 724-925-4059 to schedule your appointment.
Pre-Graduation Fair Degree Completion = Better Job, Higher Pay, Advanced Degree Those with an associate’s degree can earn up to more than $16,224 annually than those without one. Don’t be one of the 1,477,128 adults in Pennsylvania that has some college but hasn’t completed degree or certificate! Get the help you need to complete at the WCCC PRE-GRADUATION FAIR on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from 11 am—6 pm in the WCCC Gymnasium. Meet one-on-one with WCCC staff for:
Program Evaluation—Counselors & faculty will help you determine what courses you need to complete your degree
Transfer Counseling—If you are planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree
Career Development—Learn about internships, job resources, upcoming career fairs & other events
Financial Aid—We’ll help you figure out how to pay for college if you need to take more classes
Alumni Association—Stay connected with classmates, events & opportunities to volunteer
Plus, enter to win a $75 Sheetz gift card and other door prizes!
Call today to register! 724-925-4204 Give registration code 12/SE ADMX 2000-02
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WCCC Early Childhood Education (PreK-4) Program Newsletter
WCCC ECE Club Organization Purposes The WCCC Early Childhood Education Club is moving forward this semester with a reorganization effort. The purposes of the club are to: A.
Promote community interest and involvement in the field of early childhood education
B. Develop leadership skills within the college and within the field C. Engage in advocacy projects D. Help increase commitment to the profession of early childhood education E. Acquire professional dispositions F. Network with other early childhood education students at WCCC and other colleges and universities G. Acquire a broader range of knowledge in the early childhood profession H. Provide possible employment opportunities I. Promote retention of students J. Support community organizations through volunteer work and fundraising
Please consider becoming an active member of the WCCC ECE Club! Student Government Association Meetings Attendance Required As a currently recognized student organization, the ECE Club must be represented at each Student Government Association (SGA) meeting. The meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month at 2:00 PM in Room 205 in Founders Hall. Please contact Kristen at yanuckk@my.wccc.edu if you have any questions about the meetings. The next meeting will be held November 6.
ECE Advocacy Opportunity—Sign the PA Promise Declaration Become an advocate and show your support for Pennsylvania’s young children by signing the PA Promise Declaration. Encourage your friends, classmates, family, and colleagues to do the same as you become a voice for young children. It is easy to do online at www.paprom.convio.net. On Get involved! the PA Promise home page about midway as you scroll down, you will see how to “Get Involved.” To the right of the photo, click on “Sign the Declaration.” to view and sign it.
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To earn Pennsylvania DPW training hours as required, check out the PA Keys website, www.pakeys.org, for professional development opportunities. Westmoreland County Community College sponsors affordable ECE workshops ($14 each) made possible through Southwest Regional Key funding. Workshops are being held at WCCC—Youngwood Campus, WCCC—Fayette - Laurel Highlands High School in Uniontown and WCCC—New Kensington Education Center. See the professional development schedules posted on the bulletin board outside of room 870. The workshop topics offered are Child Care Management at Youngwood and Young Children with Special Needs at both Laurel Highlands and New Kensington. Register by calling the WCCC Registration Center at 1-800-262-3261 ext. 4204 or 724-925-4204. Contact Vicki with any questions at ext. 4013 or email at hricikv@my.wccc.edu.
Become a Member of PAEYC The Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC) is the professional membership organization for those involved with the early care an education of young children. Doctors, lawyers, and other professionals have membership associations which provide a unified voice on behalf of their members. In the same way, PAEYC serves as a community resource, and advocate for quality, and a voice for those in the profession of early care and education. PAEYC currently serves over 1000 members and is governed by an elected board. Members and those interested are encouraged to serve on a committee and take an active role in PAEYC programs including Membership Services, Advocacy & Public Policy, and Professional Development.
Benefits of Membership:
Membership in national, state, and local affiliates 6 issues of Young Children, NAEYC's journal Exclusive access to PAEYC Newsletters Reduced rates to PAEYC and NAEYC conferences Career advising services Meets STARS 3 Requirements Borrowing privileges with PAEYC's early childhood resource library Voting rights and eligibility to hold office in PAEYC, Penn AEYC, and NAEYC Opportunity to participate in insurance plans offered through NAEYC
Wanted: Child Friendly Volunteers What? Bedtime story teller and crafter (supplies and books available for use) When? 4 Monday night sessions in a row from 6-7 PM in November or November/December Where? Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville Interested? Contact Casey Sirochman via email casey.ccfl@gmail.com OR call 724-628-1380 Visit website: www.carnegiefreelib.org