Early Childhood Conference 2008 The 48th Annual Early Childhood Conference will be held July 24-26, 2008, at the Millennium Centre across from the ETSU Campus. Featured presenters include Authors/Musicians John Archambault and David Plummer (Chicka Chicka Boom Boom), Author and Movement Specialist, Rae Pica, and The Tennessee Bluebook Bluegrass Boys: Ron and Jason Coffey. Special Guest speakers include Christie Cavanaugh, who will focus on improving emergent and early literacy practices; Kathy Birk (Kidz In Tune), who will present music sessions for teachers at all levels; and Jana Crosby, whose sessions will present reading and literacy strategies. The three-day conference begins on Thursday with a Primary Pre-Conference morning session (limited to 150), lunch for morning attendees, and the Preschool Literacy Training Project Pre-Conference afternoon session (limited to 250). The Literacy Banquet, hosted by the Preschool Literacy Training Project, will be held on Thursday evening and features Authors Chrissy Willis and Rae Pica. The 48th Annual Early Childhood Conference continues with approximately 120 sessions throughout the day on Friday and Saturday. Registration is limited to the first 1,200 participants and is offered in advance only – there will be no on-site registration for this conference. We hope you will join us for this exciting three-day event! Download Registration Brochure here. Download Exhibitor Information here.   Visiting Professor Beginning on April 1st, Dr. Grethe Kragh Müller will be in residence at the Center of Excellence as a visiting professor. She comes to the Center from the Danish University of Education, Department of Educational Psychology, in Copenhagen, Denmark, and will be in Johnson City until the end of May. Dr. Müller will present lectures at the University and interview children in our region. Dr. Rebecca Isbell's visit to Denmark in 2007 lead to this unique collaboration and Dr. Müller’s current residency at East Tennessee State University. As a result of their work, they have been invited to present a special session (Exploring the Similarities and Differences of Child Care in Denmark and the United States: Creating a Learning Community Around the World) at the 2008 Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) Annual International Conference and Exhibition. Click on the links to download their PowerPoint presentation and handout. ACEI_2008_Presentation.pdf ACEI_2008_Presentation_Handout.pdf     Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education A new program leading to the Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education has been proposed at ETSU. The approval process is in the final stage with only the approval by the Tennessee Higher Education Committee (THEC) needed to officially begin the program. This approval is expected to occur in July of 2008. The anticipated date for the first class of students is Fall 2008. If you are interested in learning more about the program or completeing a pre-application form indicating your interest -- click to download the information. Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education Ph.D. Brochure (pdf document) Download Ph.D. Pre-application. (Word document)     Promoting Literacy at ETSU Physicians and Associates Let the reading begin!  The Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development at ETSU recently donated 500 new children’s books to ETSU Physicians and Associates – Pediatrics (ETSU Peds) to support the pediatricians’ efforts in promoting early literacy.  Since early August, ETSU Peds has been accepting donations of children's books for the creation of a literacy center in the waiting room.  The practice was recently recognized as a Reach Out and Read site.  As part of the national Reach Out and Read non-profit program, ETSU pediatricians give each child, between the age of six-months an five-years, a new, developmentally, and culturally appropriate book at each well-child visit and provide parents with guidance about reading to their child.  Graduate students in Early Childhood Education at ETSU will be volunteering at ETSU Peds during spring semester to demonstrate to parents several effective ways of engaging young children in books.   Newsletter - Vol 3, No 1, April 1, 2004 Newsletter - Vol 2, No 1, April 1, 2003