Although the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) conference in Orlando, Florida seems like there are fewer attendees overall, the percentage of men seems to be increased. Unfortunately the conference coordinators don’t track demographics, the men and women interviewed (especially those that have attended other national conferences) are noticing an increase.
There’s been a mix of workshops including one led by Frances Carlson based on her Big Body Play with the additional subtitle: about active play with children that emphasizes men’s tendancy to welcome more active play.
Other workshops at the conference:
- The three Rs of early childhood male educators: Resiliency, respect, and retention
by Manuel Maestre
- The male teacher debate: Why it is critical to have male teachers in early childhood education
by Samuel Williams
- Waiting for Superman? Practices of men in early childhood that enhance the development of young children
by Rodney West
- Men matter: Results of a survey on what teachers think about men in the lives of children
by Josh Thompson & Jeff Robbins
- Involving fathers in the lives of young children
by Gregory Uba & Marcello Bermeo
We also are having the annual Men in Education Network (M.E.N.) Interest Forum meeting.
Great discussions and opportunity exchange ideas and strategies.