A regional educational conference targeted at early years child care practitioners was this week hailed as a huge success. The sell-out event (23rd February) was organised by Shonette Bason and Helen Gordon Associates at The Durham Centre, Belmont Business Park, Durham.
More than 150 delegates attended the conference from as far afield as Liverpool and Manchester as well as regional representatives in attendance from Teeside to the Scottish Borders. Key note speaker and acclaimed Wales-based educationalist Clive Davies emphasised the need for greater levels of oral development within a child's early educational needs.
- Children have to develop a whole range of skills such as reading, writing and maths. However, we should place strong emphasis on oral development, speaking and listening. Every single child is unique and we have to develop that individual to be the best that they can be. The parents are the first educators and as practitioners, we have to work together.
- An individual child enters the early years setting as an inquisitive, lively, excited learner and their personal development should be strongly encouraged. The next 12 years in education requires placing emphasis on children having to learn what we need them to know in order to pass exams and make the grades - he said.
Other keynote speakers included renowned Glasgow-based neuro-developmental therapist Andy Dalziell as well as Lorraine Pattison and Holly Walker from Lucker and Stannington Nature Kindergartens. Co-event organiser Shonette Bason, who last month delivered a keynote speech on regional early years development at an international educational event in Dubai, delivered the closing presentation and was delighted with the success of the inaugural conference.
"The event has proven a huge success and demonstrates the enthusiasm of regional practitioners to develop their knowledge and understanding of early years educational needs. The north east region is leading the way in early years educational development and has an immense reputation for providing the highest level of child provision. The conference was fully subscribed and we intend to host a similar event next year" Shonette concluded.
For further information contact:
Shonette Bason using the Contact form
