An upcoming conference at UNO focuses on the role of arts and literature in a curriculum focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math.
The Early Childhood Literacy Conference is August 29. Its goal is to meet the needs of preschool teachers and childcare providers.
A 2003 study by Rice University researchers found that high-income children hear 30 million more words in their first four years of life than low-income children do. Susan McWilliams, associate professor of early childhood education at UNO, says studies have shown that children who are read to at an early age do better in school.
McWilliams says there’s a lot of interest in developing STEM curriculum at the elementary level. She says that curriculum needs to include arts and literature.
More information on the Early Childhood Literacy Conference is available at coe.unomaha.edu.