The Kingsville-based South Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (STAEYC) was established recently with the help of a $250 contribution from the Bay Area Association (BAAEYC) for the Education of Young Children. Both groups are affiliated with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children and the Southern Association on Children Under Six.

STAEYC, which serves Kingsville, Alice, Falfurrias, Benavides, Hebbronville and other Coastal Bend communities outside of Corpus Christi held its first meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at A&M-Kingsville.

"Anyone who wants to be a child advocate should join STAEYC," said Lisa Turcotte, a lecturer in the A&M-Kingsville Department of Human Sciences and membership chair of STAEYC. "This group is for those interested in the well-being of children from infants to 8 year olds." Turcotte, who helped spearhead the effort to establish STAEYC in Kingsville, also is director of the A&M-Kingsville nursery. Other A&M-Kingsville officers in the organization are chapter president Anarella Celletti, assistant professor of education, and public relations officer Brenda Gonzalez, Department of Education lecturer. Sandra Browning serves as treasurer.

STAEYC's stated goal is to be an "advocate for young children in the local communities, the state, the nation and ultimately the world," and also to support early childhood educators at all levels. Turcotte says the group is committed to early- childhood education training, strengthening the family unit and providing support services to families through referrals to appropriate community agencies. "We should, as a university, help provide as much early childhood training as possible," Turcotte said.

As a regional academic leader in early childhood programs, Texas A&M- Kingsville's Department of Education offers an early childhood education major. A major in child and family studies is available from the Department of Human Sciences.

STAEYC will be a sponsor of the third annual Child Care Providers Conference scheduled for Saturday, April 6, in the A&M-Kingsville Student Union Building. The conference will provide training and information for child care providers and early childhood educators. The keynote speaker will be author Nancy Carlson Page, who will discuss aggression in children.

--John R. Kent