Potter County has a great deal to offer its youngest citizens. But people can’t use these resources if they don’t know about them.
On Saturday, parents of young children are invited to learn more about local offerings at the third annual Potter County Early Childhood Expo, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Galeton High School gymnasium, 27 Bridge St., Galeton.
For first time, the expo has a theme — “Wild About Early Childhood!” — said Michele Moore, Ph.D., executive director of the Potter County Education Council. The council’s Early Learning Team, in cooperation with the Galeton Area School District, will host the event.
Admission is free for all young children and their families.
“The goal of event is to increase awareness of the broad range of programs that are available in and around Potter County to families to help support the growth and development of young children in Potter County,” said Moore. “In addition, this event provides families of young children an opportunity to speak with representatives from these programs in an informal, face-to-face setting.”
The featured programs target children aged from birth through kindergarten-age.
“We also encourage expecting parents to come and check out the event as well to learn about available programs,” Moore added.
She said representatives of 18 organizations and programs have signed up as vendors.
Attendees can learn about PCEC Career Awareness, Potter County Early Intervention, the Early Learning Resource Center, Parents as Teachers, The Galeton Library, Northern Tier Community Action Corp.’s Head Start, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Parent to Parent Program, UPMC for You, A Way Out, ARIN IU#28 (Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program), The Caregiver Support Program, Seneca Highlands IU# 9 Early Intervention Programs, Pennsylvania State Police doing child safety seat checks and The Gale Hose Co.
Moore said there will be screenings for children again this year.
“The screenings we are planning to offer include speech & language, vision, occupational therapy and physical therapy,” she said.
While parents learn about local resources, children and families have the chance to take part in fun activities. These include a career hat activity, craft making, coloring activities, story times, a selfie station, learn about fire engine equipment, etc.
In addition to children’s activities and access to local resources, the event offers free snacks and drinks, as well as door prize raffles.
Moore noted that when each family registers at the registration table at the entrance, they will receive a tote bag of goodies, which include brand new children’s books.
It takes many hands to put together such an event, as Moore explained.
“Numerous volunteers will be assisting with a variety of tasks throughout the event,” she said.
This includes staff from the Potter County Education Council, early childhood education majors from Mansfield University, students and staff from Galeton Area School District, student success specialists from the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College and a few early childhood educators.
The event is possible due to the support of several corporate and business sponsors: JKLM Energy, Shell Appalachia, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, Tri-Co Communications/Tri-County Rural Electric, Catalus Corporation, Zito Media, Patterson Lumber Company, Century 21, Earl F. Dean Inc. KOS Office Systems, Lakeshore Learning and Lakeview Cinema and Blue Ridge Communications.
