Children’s Friend’s most popular Annual Conference is back and already changing the way people think about young children and mental health!

On Saturday, May 14, 2011 the Professional Development Department at Children’s Friend had the honor of coordinating the 14th Annual Critical Issues Conference, hosted at Bryant University.

Up with the early birds, participants this year had a special treat as they listened to keynote speaker, Jeffrey Sparr, tell his inspiring story about finding voice and expression in the midst of a lifetime of mental illness. His tale of courage and hope, featured in national media outlets, including NBC Nightly News, The Discovery Channel, and NPR, culminated in a number of reflections on powerful and touching first-hand experiences with children of all ages as he combined his passion for art, creativity, advocacy, and inclusion, to eventually form PeaceLove Studios right here in downtown Pawtucket.

So with a full mind and a helping of Bryant’s generous continental breakfast, 72 participants filed into the long hall to enjoy the rest of their training day. Early childhood educators networked with public school teacher assistants and home daycare providers, or spoke over coffee and juice about this year’s poignant theme: Unfolding the Inner World of the Child. Then, classroom doors opened and the real learning began!
Rhode Island’s keenest thinkers and facilitators challenged the teaching community to consider the work they do from a variety of intriguing angles, some familiar and some new. Topics such as Early Trauma and Brain Development and Enhancing Emotional Growth in Children ran side-by-side with Healing in Nature, RESPECTing the Wonder of Early Childhood, and Building Emotional Intelligence through the Language of Play.

Afterward, raffle winners were able to pick up their incentives: mugs, PeaceLove T-shirts, and gift baskets, oh my! What better way for educators and caregivers to round out a half-day of sharing, caring, and learning? It was a crowning achievement and an exciting day for all who got their PeaceLove on!