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Qualifying Parents of Preschoolers Attend for FREE!

Convention ProgramParents of preschoolers, are you searching for the perfect educational program? Are you wondering if home education is right for you and your child? If so, we invite you to come as our guest to the Virginia Homeschool Convention, held June 11-13, 2009, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia.

We'll have special sessions on developing a philosophy of education, homeschooling preschoolers, choosing curriculum, and more. You'll also get to visit the Exhibit Hall, which is filled with more than 300 booths of the latest and greatest educational materials and resources.

Preschool TrackDo I Qualify for Free Admittance?
To attend for free,

- your eldest child must be under 5 years of age (your eldest child's fifth birthday must be after June 30, 2009), and
- you must never have attended an HEAV convention.

You will still need to register, but your registration will be FREE!

How Do I Register?
While pre-registration has closed to allow us time to print nametags and gather materials, you can register for free (provided you meet the qualifications above) at the door during the convention. We hope to see you there! In the meantime, please scroll down to view information that will help you prepare, and read more about the many convention features on the convention home page.

Please Note: Only nursing infants and children 10 and older who have registered and paid for the convention are permitted in the workshops. Parents who plan to attend workshops must make childcare arrangements for their toddlers or other unregistered children. (The Children's Program is available for children ages 4 to 12.) 

Convention SpreadConvention ProgramWorkshop Schedule at-a-Glance

Download a copy of the two-page spread, program, and convention Schedule-at-a-Glance!

Exhibit HallCONVENTION EXHIBITORS

The Exhibit Hall features more than 300 booths with some of the best educational resources from around the country--visit the Exhibitor Page to view the exhibitors and explore their websites and download the Exhibit Hall Map to plan your course!

PRESCHOOL TRACK - LEARNING BEGINS

As our guest for the entire convention, you are welcome to attend ANY workshops you like. However, to make things simpler, we've compiled a "Preschool Learning Track" we think will be especially applicable to you. All of the workshops with a diamond (◊) are specifically preschool workshops. The others are suggestions of workshops you may find interesting. (There will be maps, signs, and people on hand to direct you to wherever you would like to go.)

THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Note: These Thursday how-to-begin homeschooling workshops are free to everyone, so bring a friend!

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.             
Introduction to Homeschooling ~ Yvonne Bunn
Homeschooling is among the top ten of more than 200 significant trends that will have an impact on future society, says The Trends Journal, world leader in trends analysis and forecasting. If you've wondered what homeschooling is, or who homeschools and why, this fact-filled workshop will give you answers. From the history of homeschooling to the statistical results of the most recent nationwide study, you will receive the information you need to decide if homeschooling is right for you and your family.

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.         
How to Begin: What You Really Need to Know ~ Yvonne Bunn
Overwhelmed by friendly advice and tons of information? This informative workshop will help you weed through all the things you've heard and help you focus on what you really need to know for a successful homeschool year: Am I qualified? How do I prepare? Where can I go for help? What things should I never do? What are some secrets of success? And more! Don't miss this opportunity to get off to the right start.

5 p.m. to 6 p.m.   
Know the Law: Notifying and Testing Demystified ~ Yvonne Bunn
Know your homeschooling rights--don't let the "legalese" confuse you! In this workshop, find out who is required to attend school, what requirements you must meet in order to homeschool, what new test and evaluation options may be used, whom you should notify and when, what to do if you are homeschooling because of your sincere religious beliefs, and what types of records need to be kept. Know your options before you begin!

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Choosing Curriculum Like a Pro ~ Jessica Hulcy
Entering a curriculum hall can be like being run over by a steamroller. Confusion, frustration, and a feeling of being overwhelmed by a myriad of choices set in. Jessica Hulcy, co-author of KONOS Curriculum and homeschooling mom for 24 years, shares her objective curriculum evaluation grid that allows parents to take the guesswork out of choosing curriculum by assessing each curriculum and determining whether that particular curriculum meets the specific needs of their child and their family.

FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Session 1: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
◊ Toddlers to Train and Still Time to Teach! ~ Kerin Morgan
We really can train our little ones and still have time to teach the older children! Join Kerin as she shares some practical ideas for structuring the days and learning to work together with your children in making each day productive.   

Session 2: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
IQ: Can It Be Changed? ~ Dianne Craft
For decades, conventional wisdom said that one's IQ cannot be changed. Now, with the knowledge of "neuroplasticity," it has been found that there are established ways to change an IQ. Some of those ways are music, specific movements, and "superfeeding." There is much documentation of an increase of 15 points in a person's IQ using these methods. This fascinating workshop shows you how to help everyone in your family feel smarter!

Homeschooling--Educating for Eternity: Clarifying Your Vision and Passing It on to Your Children  ~ Rick & Marilyn Boyer
We all want our children to catch the vision for God and grow up to serve Him. But how do we begin? Rick and Marilyn Boyer, home education pioneers of thirty years, believe the Bible contains the best plan for the upbringing of wise and competent children. Seeking wisdom=2 0from God's Word and applying it to their lives, they have trained their fourteen sons and daughters, some of whom are now parents and passing on the vision to their own children. Come hear Rick--with help from Marilyn and some of their six adult children--explain the scriptural method for passing on a vision of powerful Christian living from generation to generation through family discipleship.  

Why and How You Should Teach Your Children Etiquette ~ Inge Cannon
When you think of “etiquette,” do your thoughts focus on privilege or panic? Nothing in life can create privilege and eliminate panic more quickly than the comfortable practice of basic etiquette. Learning the proprieties of life that can bring “a man before kings” is a vital part of character training for every adult and child. (See Proverbs 22:29 and Daniel 1:4.) This workshop offers parents several suggestions for accomplishing that goal.

The Family That Stays Together Stays Together ~ Steve Demme
In this encouraging workshop, Steve relates the positive experiences he and his wife have experienced raising their four sons. With plenty of humorous illustrations, Steve shares tried-and-proven suggestions that have enhanced their family life. With God's help, he is convinced there is hope for the family in the 21st century.

Session 3: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
◊ Let Them Have Play-Doh! ~ Tammy Duby
Your friend just spent a chunk of change on preschool curriculum. You should too, right? Just when you were thinking maybe your curriculum could be, well....real life. Which should a sensible mother choose: mathematics or mud pies, Persian Wars or pots and pans, phonics flash cards or finger paints? Let's sort through the pros and cons of academic and play-based preschool programs, and see what kids need most.  

SATURDAY, JUNE 13
Session 4: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
◊ Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 2-5) ~ Inge Cannon
Offering vital advice for these formative years, Inge's suggestions cover a wide spectrum: how to increase a toddler's attention span, which teaching methods to use and avoid, how to help prevent illness, how to encourage and channel creative tendencies, how to achieve effective character training and develop a body of preschool knowledge, how to use "devotional living" to develop spiritual understanding, and much more.  

Session 5: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Working with Your Kids so They Will Want to Work with You ~ Joel Salatin
Perseverance, faithfulness, enthusiasm--parents establish lifelong work character in
and around the home. Specific techniques can make the child-parent work environment either positive or negative. Task-oriented rather than time-oriented requirements can make all the difference. This workshop is based on Salatin's 10 Commandments for Making Kids Love the Farm, first articulated in his book Family Friendly Farming.   

Parenting - Mission Impossible: If You Choose to Accept It (and You Have!)
~ Robert Andrews
For the Christian, the difficult task of parenting is not subject to the latest psychological fads presented on Oprah or the current New York Times best seller on the subject. It is firmly anchored on what the Bible says, and the Bible is not silent on the topic! In this session, Robert presents some basics that parents must first grasp and then apply with firmness and compassion, rather than harshness and leniency, if they are to be successful in the task God has put before them.

Getting It All Done ~ Marilyn Boyer
Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the demands of parenting? Life is certainly a challenge for parents, especially those who accept the added responsibility of home education. But there are ways to make life easier and more productive, and this workshop discusses some of those ways. Marilyn Boyer, mother of 14 children and a veteran home educator with 27 years of experience, shares her techniques for accomplishing a mammoth amount of housework while giving her children a superior education at the same time.

Understanding Teaching and Learning Styles ~ Debbie Strayer
Our goal as homeschoolers is to teach as effectively as possible, so it can be stressful when the lessons we teach aren't understood, or when our children seem frustrated. Come to this workshop to learn how to overcome obstacles that may limit your ability to teach and your children's ability to understand. Shared with humor and honesty, Debbie will provide tips that can help your children achieve their greatest learning success.

Session 6: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
◊ Different Strokes for Different Folks: Teaching Life Skills to Preschoolers and Young Children ~ Doreen Morgan
While academics are important, they aren't everything! We typically begin teaching our children their ABCs and 123s along with many other things long before they are school age. Likewise, our children can learn important life skills even as preschoolers. Perhaps you are concerned about why one child can do so much more then another? Join Doreen Morgan as she answers some of these tough questions and "goes through life" with a checklist of essentials all children will eventually need to know how to do. From people skills and health issues to emergency management, this class will create milestones of victory for you and your family!       

QUICK LINKS