GREENVILLE, Wis., Oct. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Childcraft®, the award-winning early childhood education brand of School Specialty, Inc. (OTCQB:SCOO) (“School Specialty”, “SSI” or “the Company”), will be showcasing its latest solutions at the 2016 NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo, slated for November 2-5 in Los Angeles, California. In recognition of its 70th anniversary this year, Childcraft will also be hosting a number of subject-matter expert presentations and exciting giveaways at its Exhibition Booth # 1204 – highlighting seven decades of innovation, transformation and appreciation of the early childhood education community. One of the special highlights will be a day of literacy and music with Eric Litwin, the # 1 New York Times Best Selling author of the original four Pete the Cat books, The Nuts and Groovy Joe.
“We look forward with excitement for this year’s NAEYC Conference being the most dynamic one yet! Demonstrating our wide assortment of innovative learning materials, supplies and furnishings will be extra special for us as Childcraft celebrates 70 years serving our nation’s dedicated early childhood professionals and their eager little learners,” stated Andrea Johnson, Director of Marketing – Early Childhood and Furniture & Equipment at School Specialty. “We continue to take pride in delivering top quality, age-appropriate products that offer every child the solid educational foundation they need.to develop and grow to be tomorrow’s leaders. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to engage directly with early childhood educators and share Childcraft’s imaginative, innovative, new products for 2017.”
Visitors to the booth will have the opportunity to view the latest Childcraft Manipulative Sets, Mobile Science Modules, dual language learning tools, materials for children with special needs, activity tables and chairs including the Classroom Select® NeoRok™ Movement Stool, classroom products for STEAM areas, and a range of other accessories for infants, toddlers and Pre-K students. Additionally, attendees will be able to join in special presentations by Cecilia Cruse, Special Needs Subject-Matter Expert, MS, OTR/L and Ginny Streckewald, Early Childhood Education Manager at Childcraft, M. Ed. Ms. Cruse will kick off the conference at 8am on Thursday, November 3rd with a workshop on early childhood intervention, offering “10 Terrific Tips to Promote Great Fine Motor Skills”. Ms. Streckewald will offer insights for early art education with her program at 8am on Saturday, November 5th entitled, “Think, Problem-Solve, and Create: Skills of the Young Artist at Work”. Visitors will also have an opportunity to enter a drawing to win the Grand Prize from Crayola, which is valued up to $1000, as well as signed copies of Eric Litwin’s newest title, “Groovy Joe: Ice Cream and Dinosaurs”. In addition, each day will feature a surprise giveaway gift for the first 500 attendees.
Perhaps the most exciting, must-attend event at NAEYC will be Childcraft’s Day with Eric Litwin. Mr. Litwin is a song singing, guitar strumming, # 1 New York Times Best Selling author who brings early literacy and music together. He is the original author of the Pete the Cat series as well as the author of The Nuts and Groovy Joe. Eric's books have sold over 8.5 million copies; they have been translated into 13 languages and have won 18 literacy awards including a Theodor Geisel Seuss Honor Award. He will be appearing at three Childcraft-sponsored events on Friday, November 4th:
- Spotlight Session Workshop at NAEYC Conference, 10:00-11:30am
- Book Signing at Childcraft Booth #1204, 11:30am-12:30pm
- NAEYC Hollywood Night Member Party at the JW Marriott, 7:00-9:00pm
The day and evening is expected to be filled with dancing activities, a meet-and-greet session and fun giveaways. Look for more information by visiting Childcraft on Facebook, Twitter and Childcraft.com/NAEYC2016.
“I’m honored and excited for the opportunity to meet with teachers, administrators and practitioners from across the country in various dynamic and engaging sessions at the NAEYC Conference. This year is especially meaningful for me having worked with teachers for the last 20 years,” Mr. Litwin commented. “Attendees should get ready to sing, dance and fall in love with interactive literacy. The presentations will be fun and practical, showing how simple techniques such as music, movement, call and response, and repetition help children learn to read and fall in love with books. See you there!”
“Our Childcraft and School Specialty team is elated to have Eric join us at NAEYC 2016 and we greatly appreciate him taking time out of his busy schedule! He’s just phenomenal and we know that attendees will take away vital insights and practical skills that can have a transformative impact on the lives of their young students, as well as their own professional development. We look forward to an amazing show this year,” concluded Ms. Johnson.
Since 1946, Childcraft® prized manipulatives, furniture and games have helped early childhood educators cultivate the lives of little learners from birth to grade 2. The brand has broken ground with top-quality, unique furnishings and learning materials that can act as a second teacher in the room and align with early learning standards of excellence – including those set by NAEYC. With a full selection of early childhood educational products, Childcraft and School Specialty continues to be America’s leader in creating complete and effective learning environments that meet the needs of all children by building crucial 21st century learning skills.
The NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo brings together thought leaders, classroom teachers and faculty, administrators, researchers, and other critically important practitioners and contributors in early childhood education. Whether you are a newcomer to the field or an experienced professional, the conference provides the opportunity to help advance shared work on behalf of children during their most critical period of development and learning. For more information on NAEYC 2016, visit www.naeyc.org.
About School Specialty, Inc.
School Specialty is a leading distributor of innovative and proprietary products, programs and services to the education marketplace. The Company designs, develops, and provides educators with the latest and very best school supplies, furniture and both curriculum and supplemental learning resources. Working in collaboration with educators, School Specialty reaches beyond the scope of textbooks to help teachers, guidance counselors and school administrators ensure that every student reaches his or her full potential. Through its SSI Guardian subsidiary, the Company is also committed to school, healthcare and corporate workplace safety by offering the highest quality curriculum, training and safety and security products. Finally, through its SOAR Life Products brand, the Company offers thousands of products that sharpen cognitive skills and build physical and mental strength in fun and creative ways. From childhood through adulthood, they help individuals live life to the fullest – engaged, happy and well. SOAR Life Products is a customized offering for hospitals, long-term care, therapeutic facilities, home care, surgery centers, day care centers, physician offices, and clinics. For more information about School Specialty, visit www.schoolspecialty.com.
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