When you work with young children every day, it’s a challenge to
find new, exciting ways to stimulate their minds. But the Early
Childhood Institutes for 2001 are being planned to help people
meet that challenge.

For more than a decade, these institutes have provided
child-caregivers the latest in ideas and training. This year, the
programs range from nutrition to the art of storytelling. They
include classes on stress management that will help “make your
job a joy.”

The institutes are designed for child-care providers who work
with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children. The
day of workshops and hands-on training will be in three Georgia
cities: Macon Aug. 18, Atlanta Aug. 25 and Tifton Sept. 8.

“Caregivers need opportunities to network and share stories and
ideas with other child-care professionals,” said Diane Bales, a
University of Georgia human development specialist who
coordinates the program.

Child-care professionals will get 5 hours of DHR-approved
training. CEUs will also be available.

Classes for Everyone

The classes and programs offer choices of workshops from infants
to school-age and from administrators to new providers.
Highlights include a panel discussion on including children with
special needs and 2-hour workshops for more in-depth training.
Exhibits will be available for browsing during lunch and
breaks.

For more information or a registration brochure, call (706)
542-7566. Or visit the Web site: www.fcs.uga.edu/eci.

The fee is $35 if completed by July 27 for Macon, August 3 for
Atlanta and August 17 for Tifton. If there is still space,
on-site fees will be $55 — first-come, first-served. Classes
will be also be assigned first-come, first-served, so caregivers
are encouraged to sign up early.