COUDERSPORT — The Potter County Early Childhood Expo will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. this Saturday at the Coudersport Elementary School, with activities, screenings and information for parents and children from birth to age five.

This year marks the second annual Early Childhood Expo, which was developed to promote available early childhood programs, supports and community resources.

Representatives from Intermediate Unit (IU) 9, Potter County Human Services, the Danielson Learning Center, UPMC Cole, Penn State Cooperative Extension, North Central WIC program, Parents as Teachers, the Guidance Center and Head Start, and a Pennsylvania Homelessness liaison will all be at the event to provide information and fun activities for attending children.

Mansfield University will also have a presence, as 15 early childhood education students will attend the event to get experience working with young children.

Kim Rees, executive director of the Potter County Education Council (PCEC) and organizer of the event, shared a number of statistics highlighting the importance of early childhood education on future school performance and into adulthood.

In the 2,000 days before Kindergarten, 90 percent of a child’s brain develops, and research has shown that quality early childhood education is essential to healthy brain development and high school graduation. By age five, 85 percent of the foundation for communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork is already developed.

If a child starts school ready to learn, they are most likely to read at grade level by third grade. If a child reads at grade level by third grade, they are more likely to graduate high school, and to become a contributing member of society.

The Perry Preschool study found that preschool programs cut crime, welfare and remedial education, saving taxpayers $16 for every $1 invested in the preschool program.

“Early childhood is both the most critical and the most vulnerable time in any child’s development…in the first few years, the ingredients for intellectual, emotional, and moral growth are laid down,” said UPMC Cole’s Dr. Marlene Wust-Smith.

During Saturday’s event, each station will provide a developmental activity plus information for parents, grandparents and caregivers on programs and opportunities available for children from birth to age five. Developmental, speech/language, vision, dental and other screenings will be offered. The event is completely free-of-charge and open to the public. Each family attending will receive a bag containing books and information, and there will be crafts, games, and other activities for children. Lunch will be provided in the school cafeteria, and a drawing will be held for a door prize. The event is being sponsored by JKLM Energy and coordinated by the Potter County Early Learning Team.

For more information on the Potter County Early Childhood Expo, contact the Potter County Education Council at 814-247-4877.