The syncopated sounds of children jumping and ropes slapping the asphalt dazzled a large contingent of adults and children who turned out for the Center for Technology in Education’s first Early Child Care and Education Expo in Columbia on June 18.
The children, from a Howard County group called Kangaroo Kids, skipped rope in pairs, in groups and by themselves synchronized to music blaring from nearby speakers. They performed to promote physical fitness and spread goodwill. Skipping rope, the group declared, burns calories, lowers your heart rate and does wonders for your agility, posture, balance, reflexes and coordination.
They were joined during the day by the Baltimore Orioles mascot, rides, a petting zoo, science activities, a clown, children’s activities and a wide array of community partners and organizations providing food and outdoor entertainment. Indoors there were workshops on topics ranging from cooking with your child to strategies for teaching core vocabulary.
The event’s ultimate aim, according to Chris Swanson, senior director of quality early care and education at the Center for Technology in Education, was to provide the community with resources for high-quality child care.
“The Center for Technology in Education strives to improve the quality of life of all children and youth through teaching, research and leadership in the uses of technology,” he said. “We wanted to share with the community what types of contributions CTE does in this space, what is coming out of the School of Education and university at large, what other great partners and organizations offer, and what their peers are doing.”
