That's the word from the Bermuda Association for the Education of Young Children (BAEYC), who will be hosting the US group of that name when it pulls into Bermuda at the end of this month.

The visitors will be the highlight of a special child-oriented day at St.

Paul's Christian Education Centre on February 26.

The Learning Station, based in Melbourne, Florida, is a national children's recording and performing company which presents educational workshops, keynotes and training sessions.

Its entire programme is based on a positive approach to education, and has been recognised by leaders in the field of education, music and video.

"The Learning Station's goal is to create a learning environment which is emotionally sound, intellectually stimulating, and creatively inspiring for children and educators,'' organisers say.

The Learning Station gets its messages across through a combination of music, theatre, play-along activities and skits. Its format involves children and family audiences in a lively show specifically designed to inspire imagination, creativity and learning.

Emphasis and priority are placed on activities which offer a multi-cultural and non-sexist perspective. Content includes reinforcing positive behaviour; theme planning, self-esteem, expression of feelings, a whole language approach to reading, learning basic skills and concepts (science, math, reading), large and small muscle development, listening skills, following directions, group activities and transitions.

Real life subjects -- making friends, keeping safe, feelings, problem solving, growing up and self-awareness -- are explored in ways which are attractive and appealing.

Two Learning Station presenters, Don and Jan, will be coming to Bermuda to present the show and also conduct a workshop.

"I saw The Learning Station at a workshop during an annual convention, and it was certainly lively,'' Mrs. Audrie Francis, BAEYC public relations officer, confirmed. "It really gets everybody involved.'' For educators, the show's promoters promise "a wonderful message of self-confidence'' during which "they will capture the true meaning and heart of their chosen career.'' Cable channel PBS recently gave the green light to The Learning Station becoming part of its national children's broadcasting repertoire.

Having seen a performance, Catherine Lyon, PBS associate director of children's programming, declared herself "pleased to see a cast of racially and ethnically diverse children dancing, singing and actively participating in the fun of The Learning Station's music,'' and said she was impressed with "the broad range of musical styles that the group employed.'' Promoting annual Week of the Young Child activities is part of the BAEYC's philosophy in that, because the first years of a child's life are the most important in terms of shaping the basic character and learning important life skills, those who are involved in the process -- parents, teachers, daycare-givers -- should be well equipped to train and educate them.

Ten years ago this month, the BAEYC was formed by a group of women who were involved in early childhood education, some of whom had attended National Association for the Education of Young Children conferences in the US.

"It started as a group of individuals interested in education for the betterment of young children -- people who worked in day care, Government pre-schools and privately run nursery schools,'' Mrs. Francis explained.

Then, as now, the Association's declared mission is "to work, act and speak on behalf of young children.'' Part of the process includes professional development opportunities for adults involved with children.

The local Association is affiliated with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, headquartered in Washington, DC. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the well-being of Bermuda's youngest citizens.

Each year, a BAEYC representative attends the national convention in the US to gather knowledge for subsequent sharing with the local membership.

"We also keep up to date through literature and reports sent to us by the National Association,'' president Mrs. Gladnora Tucker said.

Aware of other local agencies involved in various aspects of a child's development, Mrs. Tucker says the BAEYC believes in liaising and co-operating with them.

"We are about sharing information and helping parents who come to us or whom we know about,'' Mrs. Tucker said. "If we cannot solve the problem, we refer them to various agencies who can help out.'' The annual Week of the Young Child, to be held in May this year, provides a major opportunity to focus public attention on the needs of young children and the significance of their early years.

"Its purpose is to initiate new ideas and highlight the need for all our children to reach their maximum physical, intellectual and spiritual potential,'' Mrs. Francis said.

Tickets for the one-hour Learning Station workshop on February 26 are $10 per person. A combined entry ticket for the workshop, mini fun fair and Learning Station concert is $20 for adults. For tickets, telephone 236-9260, 293-8009, 234-0492 or 295-8526.

BERMUDA ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN officers (from left) Mrs. Gladnora Tucker (president) and Mrs. Audrie Francis (public relations officer).

COMING SOON -- Don (left) and Jan (right), two members of The Learning Station team of performing and recording arts, will be presenting a concert and workshop later this month under the auspices of the Bermuda Association for the Education of Young Children.