Symposium provides tips for early education leaders

By Harry Loomis

United Way Success by 6 hosted its 18th annual Directors Symposium on Friday at Missouri Western.

The event is a networking opportunity for early education leaders, who spend the day learning some tips on how to better support children going through tough times.

“We really support what’s happening in those early years in our community because we know is so critically important is kids are learning all the time and they’re learning from birth,” said Bobbie Cronk, director of children’s initiatives for United Way. “So what we do with our youngest children really impacts not only where they are today and are they saved and loved and nurtured, but what our community will look like when they grow up.”

The keynote speaker was Josh Varner, who offered presentations on how to help with stress relief and trauma. Varner said that adapting and learning happen for a long time, but instilling support in young children is the best way to make a lasting impact.

“We can change throughout life, you can be 50 years old and change,” Varner said. “But it’s a heck of a lot easier when you’re five years old. So the younger we can get to these kids getting the help and love and support they need, the better outcomes we’re going to get and the less resources it’s going to take to get those outcomes.”

Tips on trauma and stress, while they may seem minimal at the time, can make a world of difference. It starts with making the child feel comfortable in a safe environment.

“People can recover from trauma and thrive when they feel safe and connected,” Varner said. “A lot of times the kids that need the love the most get it the least. The kids need the love the least, get it the most. We’ve got to we got to flip that.