Joe McWilliams
Lakeside Leader

This week’s Leader seems to consist largely of news about things that haven’t happened yet, and here’s another one. This Saturday, folks involved in or interested in early childhood learning will gather in Slave Lake for a conference called ‘Supports to Early Learning.’
Children’s Services Minister Danielle Larivee is the keynote speaker. She’s on at 9:45 a.m. Chances are good she’ll also answer questions. Conference organizer Brenda Hannah expects there will be a few, along the lines of what the government’s plans are for subsidizing daycare. This is known to be a big issue – especially for single mothers. It’s well known, Hannah says, that single moms have a hard time balancing child care and careers and more support would be very welcome.
Apart from the Larivee scrum, attendees will have their choice of several sessions. One is about recognizing and supporting children with anxiety or trauma symptoms. Another deals with promoting healthy sleep. Cultural awareness is the title of yet another session.
‘Young Children and Technology – Finding the Right Balance,’ is the title of one of the middle sessions. Yet another explains the theory behind ‘sensory-based play,’ presented by Chelsea Robinson of Northern Lakes College.
Renee Tissink and Alisha Batstone of Northern Lakes College are doing a session called ‘Mini Mad Scientists and Mathematicians,’ which could be a lot of fun. And Dr. Karin Jacob is presenting on such ‘self-care’ topics as ‘massage, acu-pressure, breathing, positive affirmations and grounding.’
All that, as they say, and much more.
Registration is $50, which includes lunch and a chance to win door prizes. To find out more, email ecrc@ssdcs.ca.