NAEYC Conference
I just returned from the NAEYC conference in Washington, DC. I planned to do a “Live From NAEYC Conference” blog, but that didn’t happen! All of you who have attended the conference know how much there is to do and even with adrenalin running high, it’s always impossible to check off everything on my “to do” list, but I sure gave it my best try!
This was the first time I’ve attended when I wasn’t presenting, exhibiting, promoting my book, receiving validator training––you get the picture. I was excited, but I didn’t know what to expect. My husband, Dick was with me and believe me, I think he met and talked with more people than I did!
The exhibit hall was at times so crowded I could hardly find room to walk as I baby-stepped along trying to balance my NAEYC bag, my purse, coat and the program with carefully highlighted numbers of the booths I just had to visit! What great organizations were represented! I love visiting the huge mega companies, but it’s also such fun to discover the new kids on the block who offer exciting, safe products for kids and families. The ones that make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” And I love learning about the non-profits and what they’re planning on unveiling in the future.
But the people. I always meet the nicest people! People who have been getting Parent Pages for twenty years, people who have never heard of us. Presenters who are (knees knocking) presenting for the first time and the presenters like Bev Bos, Alice Honig, Mimi Chenfeld Brodskey, and Marian Wright Edelman who inspire year after year!
It’s hard to think of the conference without thinking of the Washington, DC framework. What a beautiful city. And celebrating the city where our first African American family now resides––Wow!