When Cindy Latino walked into the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 2005 convention in Washington, D.C., she had no idea it would be so big. "Twenty thousand people is a little overwhelming," she said, "but the convention ran like clockwork."

The Washington Convention Center is in the heart of the city. Its windowed halls cover six blocks and contain enough space for sixty-six meeting rooms. Early childhood professionals gathered at NAEYC from across the country and across the globe. "There was so much going on. I could have spent a whole day just in the display area—and nearly did," Cindy joked. "Everyone was giving away free stuff. I felt like I was a kid in a candy store."

As Cindy attended lectures and workshops on infants and toddlers, learning environments, and administration, it quickly became apparent that even though people were from different states, and even different countries, they all had the same concerns and faced similar problems. "There was a lot of networking and community. We all had similar experiences and were dealing with similar issues," said Cindy. "It was great to hear other peoples' ideas and solutions."

One instructor recognized Cindy from a summer workshop she attended 7 years earlier proving what a strong community exists in the early childhood field. "I couldn’t believe that she remembered my name after 7 years," said Cindy.

But the highlight of her trip was the Redleaf Press author dinner held in a contemporary Latin restaurant only a few blocks from the convention center. Cindy and about twenty Redleaf Press authors came and enjoyed the opportunity to meet one another and discuss ideas.

"I was a little awestruck to be in the same room with all those people whose books I've read and who have written such tremendous information for early childhood education," said Cindy, "but everyone made me feel comfortable."

Returning to her child care center in Wappinger Falls, Cindy began implementing the ideas she learned from the workshops. By moving a cabinet, she found she could create a large amount of usable space. "It was a simple idea and a simple thing to do, but I wouldn't have thought of it before NAEYC." She also decided to meet more regularly with her teachers to set and pursue short-term goals in addition to the long-term yearly ones.

"Everyone should go to the National Convention at least once," she said. "When you see that many people who care about early childhood education and who are facing similar issues, you realize what a community we are and what an impact we can make."

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