FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Students and faculty members in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences' human development and family sciences program at the U of A recently attended and made presentations at the Southern Early Childhood Association conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

SECA focuses on improving the quality of care and education for young children and their families through advocacy and professional development. Students in the human development and family sciences program in the School of Human Environmental Sciences recently formed a SECA chapter, now an official U of A RSO. The formation of the group was supported by a grant from the Janie Humphries Student Leadership Development Fund, awarded by SECA.

"Attending my first SECA conference and representing the university was a unique and amazing time," said chapter president Julee Cox. "It was special to hear from many brilliant leaders in the early childhood profession, and the amount of educational and professional support we received was an experience I'll never forget. I really enjoyed Mansur Choudry's presentation about teaching children with Autism through play, and found his research and information very useful to my future endeavors."

"Several of our master teachers attended, and gave a wonderful talk on project based curriculum design," said clinical assistant professor Laura Herold. "Faculty members gave two different presentations that represented a fraction of the quality research that goes on in the field of early childhood education here at the University of Arkansas. Having students there to see this, to absorb the wealth of information being presenting, and to make connections with professionals and researchers in the field just tied it all together."

Assistant professor Jennifer Henk and student Mary Bassett presented research on "Children and Families in Healthy Communities: A Partnership to Reduce Childhood Obesity." The two-year project, supported with funding from the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, also includes work by associate professor Godwin-Charles Ogbeide and graduate student Dylan Martinez.

Henk and instructor Mardi Crandall presented "When Child Development Meets Special Education: Two Peas in a Pod."

Savanna Gragg, Libby Lance, Carolyn Mackey and Danetta Osburn, all teachers at the Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center, presented findings on using a project approach to curriculum design in preschool classrooms.

"The most amazing part about this year's SECA experience is the way it perfectly reflects the three-fold mission of the Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center," said Herold, a SECA faculty advisor. "The center is a model of best practice in early childhood education, and serves many families in the community. It's also a research facility for faculty and graduate students across the university. Finally, it's a critical teaching laboratory for our students, and they spend hours honing the research-based skills they've learned in our classes. It was fantastic to see the same three missions represented by the U of A group that attended the conference."

"My favorite part of the SECA conference was the opportunity to network with people that share the same interest and passion in child development and education," said student Andrea Lopez. "I also enjoyed hearing that the field of education is always rewarding and if you truly love it, you will never get bored. Seeing fellow students, teachers and co-workers made me feel like I was part of a team. I look forward to the SECA conference next year."

Goals of the Bumpers College SECA chapter are to promote awareness about early childhood education on campus, to participate in professional development through programs and speakers, and to volunteer in Northwest Arkansas communities. With future fundraising, it is also a goal to have additional members attend conferences. The theme of this year's meeting was "The Whole Child in Harmony."

"I was so inspired by the educators who took the time to share about relevant topics and their personal experiences in child development," said student Dana Ninkham. "It was evident these professionals have a passion for the work they do with children. I learned it takes great character, patience and motivation to be able to reach the desired goal. In return, I will love the work that is done every day, while also impacting the lives of others."

Since 1948 the Southern Early Childhood Association has brought together preschool, kindergarten, primary teachers and administrators, caregivers, program directors and individuals working with and for families, to promote quality care and education for young children.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.