SXU hosts childhood development conference March 12

Conference targets four areas of early development

Chicago (Jan. 16, 2008) Saint Xavier University will host a childhood development conference for parents, caregivers and professionals from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Wednesday, March 12 at Saint Xavier’s Orland Park Campus, located at 18230 Orland Parkway.

“Early Childhood Today: The Trends, The Needs, The Strategies” will focus on speech and language, accommodations, early literacy and health and wellness for children ages birth through eight.

Scheduled workshops include “Music and Movement,” “Peace in the Classroom,” “Color Me Healthy: Foods for a Lifetime” and “From ‘Ba Ba’ to ‘Let's Play Baseball’: Typical Speech/Language Development.”

Saint Xavier University and the Southwest Cook County Cooperative Association for Special Education’s STAR NET Region VI are co-sponsoring the event in collaboration with Tinley Park Community School District 146.

“It is a pleasure to offer this conference to our early childhood community,” STAR NET Region VI Project Director Marlene Christ said. “Working so closely with Saint Xavier University and Tinley Park Community School District 146 gave us an opportunity to draw from the talent and expertise in south suburban Cook County for identifying presenters and topics.”

All participants must register online at www.sxu.edu/starnet. On-site and phone registration is not allowed, and seating is limited. Childcare is not available at the conference. Registration costs $25 and includes workshop materials, continental breakfast and lunch. Sign-in begins at 8 a.m. the day of the conference.

Families with special needs children up to eight years old may apply for a reimbursement stipend by visiting STAR NET’s Web site at www.swcccase.org/starnet or calling (708) 342-5370.

All participants will receive a certificate of attendance. STAR NET is an approved provider for Continuing Professional Development Units through the Illinois State Board of Education and continuing education for speech-language pathologists, social workers, occupational therapists and physical therapists through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulations.

For more information about the conference, please contact Christ at (708) 342-5370. For workshop descriptions and registration, please visit www.sxu.edu/starnet.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Rick Ducat
773-298-3325 or ducat@sxu.edu