Wild About Wellness - Growing Healthy Children in Mind, Body and Spirit

The Collaboration for Early Childhood's 9th Annual Symposium

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 11:00 AM

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By Melissa Black Ford

Parent Coach

You won’t want to miss Wild About Wellness - Growing Healthy Children in Mind, Body and Spirit, The Collaboration for Early Childhood’s 9th Annual Symposium on Saturday, February 25 from 8 am - 3 pm at Percy Julian Middle School. 

Why? Because whether you are a parent, educator, caregiver, or anyone who works with children you’ll be sure to gain knowledge, skills, and perspectives that will promote the importance of “building our children’s capacity to learn how to live and grow mentally, physically and emotionally. . . by making wise choices with food, physical and mental fitness, and lifestyles.” 

Here’s the lineup: 

• Registration and Continental Breakfast

• Morning Breakout Sessions: 
• Early Infant Crying - What We Know and What Can Help (Marsha Baker)
• Bringing the Outdoors Back Home: Exploring Nearby Nature in Your Neighborhood (Robin Cline)
• We are All Welcome Here (Helen Kossler & Jan Patterson)
• How the Arts Contribute to Raising Healthy Children (Kimberly Kurrus)
• Feeding the Young Child: Is “Picky” Eating Normal? (Nancy Lannan)
• Choreography with Lines: A Gross Motor Exploration Integrating Literacy, Art and Dance (Donna Mandel)
• What is Physical Activity for Preschoolers? And. . . How Can I Do It Cheaply? (Diana Rosenbrock)
• Hah! No TV & Screen-Machine Time? Let’s Get Real! (Sheryl Stoller)
• Nourish to Flourish; Reclaiming the Healthy Family Dinner (Melissa Elsmo)
• Fit to Learn (Sandy Noel)

• Keynote: Making Food Literacy an Educational Priority for Healthy Children (Antonia Demas, Ph.D., President/Founder; The Food Studies Institute)

• Lunch/Networking/Resources

• Afternoon Breakout Sessions:
• Fun, Focus and Flexibility: The Physical, Mental and Spiritual Benefits of Yoga for Youngsters (Kim Vulinovic)
• The Role of Sensory Education in Wellness (Antonia Demas)
• The Importance of Tummy Time: Practical Positioning Strategies to Prevent Bucket Babies (Danielle Lemon & Meg Bracco Liebreich)
• Multicultural Dance (Donna Mandel)
• Sleep Easy and Well (Gina Orlando)
• Common Allergic Issues in Childhood (John Ruckauf)
• Healthy Earth, Healthy Kids: Teaching and Learning About Wellness Through Hands-On Gardening (Deirdra Stockmann)
• Nourish to Flourish; Reclaiming the Healthy Family Dinner (Melissa Elsmo)
• Fit to Learn (Sandy Noel) 

* Panel Discussion: Where do Early Childhood Educators Go from Here? (Antonia Demas, Elizabeth Lippett, Jill Moorhead, Sandy Noel, and Charice Phillips)

* Cost: $30 before February 15th/$40 after (Space is limited and pre-registration is encouraged.)

* Location: Percy Julian Middle School, 416 S. Ridgeland Ave, Oak Park. Parking is limited; please allow extra time for on-street parking.

* To Register: 

• For Online Payment: www.collab4kids.org (click on Symposium)
• For Mail-In Payment: Mail registration form and payment to:

 Collaboration for Early Childhood
Oak Park Village Hall
123 Madison St., Room 209
Oak Park IL 60302

* For further information please call 708.613.6122