MiAEYC 2012 Early Childhood Conference

March 29 - March 31, 2012
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
and Devos Place
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Conference Information

Escape from your daily routine and attend the 2012 MiAEYC Early Childhood Conference, Michigan’s largest conference for early childhood educators. Spend time with and learn from others who share your enthusiasm and your belief in high-quality education and care for all young children.

The 2012 Conference offers over 200 workshops covering an extensive range of issues and topics in administration and staffing, advocacy and public policy, assessment, child development, curriculum, discipline and guidance, inclusion and special needs, infants and toddlers, literacy, parents and families, and professional development. Staff and administrators in family and group homes, child care centers, preschool, kindergarten and early elementary programs will hear from experts on early education and care, attend workshops and exchange ideas to enhance the quality of their work with children and families.

The keynote speakers are Keith L. Pentz, National Education Advisor, Kaplan Early Learning Company; Kevin Carnes, President of Education Division, Lakeshore Learning Materials and Susie Wirth, Senior Trainer, Arbor Day/Dimensions Foundation; and Daniel Hodgins, Early Childhood Consultant.

Attending the general session and workshops provides five hours of training per day. These hours qualify for child care licensing’s mandated training hours. The conference also offers two full-day Focus Sessions on Thursday and Friday and one full-day Focus Session on Saturday. Focus session participants have the opportunity to become eligible to earn State Board of Education Continuing Education Units (SB-CEUs).

During the conference, MiAEYC will hold its 6th annual Silent Auction. Auction proceeds benefit MiAEYC’s Student Scholarship Fund. Currently, MiAEYC awards a Student Leadership scholarship annually to an outstanding student in one of Michigan’s accredited 4-year college programs for early childhood education. Last year’s auction raised over $4000. Featured auction items include hotel packages, sporting event tickets, early childhood materials and supplies, and gift certificates.