January 21, 2017
Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD
UW- Madison School of Medicine and Public Health
EarlyBrain Development and Literacy
Dr. Navsaria will discuss the critical importance of the first thousand days of life and the key role human relationships and interactions play in that time period. The concepts of toxic stress and how early adversity leads to lifelong issues will be reviewed, with practical examples and discussion of research which highlights these areas. Broad policy and programmatic principles that may help address the issue will also be discussed, providing a practical framework for those who work with children and families.
Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD is an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He practices primary care pediatrics at a federally-qualified health center in South Madison. He is the founding medical director of Reach Out and Read Wisconsin and the founder and director of the Pediatric Early Literacy Projects at the University of Wisconsin. With respect to education, Dr Navsaria is heavily involved in advocacy training for the pediatric residents and medical students and is frequently involved in medical student and physician assistant education from the clinical arena through myriad small group and lecture formats. He is also the director of the MD–MPH program at the University ofWisconsin. He regularly writes op-eds on health- related topics, does radio and television interviews, and frequently speaks locally, regionally and nationally on early brain and child development, early literacy, and advocacy to a broad variety of audiences. He also has a modest professional presence on social media.
February 18, 2017
Dan Gartrell Ed.D.
Professor, Bemidji State
Developmentally Appropriate STEM: It’s STREAM!
The session explores what Developmentally Appropriate STEM looks like in holistic early childhood education. DA STEM needs to be infused with the added dimensions of relationship-building and the creative arts. Participants analyze how DA STEM learning activities integrate relationship- building and the creative arts in learning experiences. We discuss how relationship-building and the arts enlighten and enliven STEM learning, and how DA STEM guides young children in observant involvement with the world around. The session includes a presentation to introduce the idea, and small group case-study analysis with large group sharing and discussion on this “hot topic” in the early childhood field
Dan Gartrell was a sixth grade teacher in Ohio and a Head Start teacher for the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe in northern Minnesota. During the 1970s, Dan completed his Masters degree at Bemidji State University where he was a CDA trainer for the Child Development Training Program. Dan received his Doctor of Education Degree from the University of North Dakota in 1977. For many years, Dan was director of the Child Development Training Program and professor of Early Childhood and Foundations Education at Bemidji State University. Dan is an Emeritus Professor from Bemidji State.
Dan has written eight pieces that have appeared in YOUNG CHILDREN (the Journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children). Between November of 2005 and November of 2014, Dan was the principle author of a regular column for YOUNG CHILDREN titled “Guidance Matters”.
March 11, 2017
Kate Gallagher, Ph.D.
Professor, Cille and Ron Williams Community Chair for Early Childhood Education, U of Nebraska at Kearney
Storytime for Relationships: Using Children’s Literature to Support Emotional and Social Learning
Understanding emotions – “emotional literacy” – serves a very important function in development. Emotions help us take action, avoid danger and establish and maintain warm, productive social relationships. We can help children develop emotional literacy, and support their developing emotional regulation and relationship development, using picture books and social stories. Early childhood professionals can build their toolboxes for children’s social and emotional development, learning how children’s literature can be used with children and families.
Kathleen (Kate) Gallagher, Ph.D. is the Williams Endowed Community Chair for Early Childhood Education at the University of Nebraska and the Buffett Early Childhood Institute. Dr. Gallagher is an educational psychologist and early childhood professional, with many years’ experience teaching and leading early childhood programs (including a state at UADC in Madison!) She designs and evaluates approaches that promote the development and wellbeing of young children, families, and early childhood professionals—particularly in the contexts of poverty, disability and cultural diversity. Dr. Gallagher has published numerous journal articles, book chapters and educational products on children’s early language and literacy, social-emotional development and early intervention. Her ability to communicate and elevate the importance of high quality early care and education are manifest in her TEDxUNC talk, “The Healthy Child: Assembly Required
