May 16, 2003 A free conference on early childhood development will be held later this month on St. Croix and St. Thomas. The "Best Beginnings: Fifth Annual Early Childhood Conference," a two-day event, is open to the public, and this year's theme is "Promoting healthy development during the early childhood years," according to a release from the Virgin Islands Human Services Department, one of the event's sponsors.
Speakers from both the territory and the U.S. will focus on major issues relevant to a child's development: reading, brain and emotional development, transitioning between preschool and kindergarten, new technological learning tools, multiculturalism, nutrition, special needs, health and safety, immunizations, the learning environment, the school lunch program and appropriate sexual behavior.
On St. Croix the conference is scheduled for May 19 and 20 at the University of the Virgin Islands campus. On St. Thomas the sessions will take place May 22 and 23 at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center.
In addition to the Department of Human Services, the event's sponsors include the V.I. Health and Education Departments, the V.I. Alliance for Primary Care and the UVI University Center for Excellence on Developmental Disabilities.
For more information, contact Ellie Hirsh at 692-1919 or Leitha Cummings at 773-2323 ext. 2022 on St. Croix; call Brenda Jenkins at 774-0930 ext. 4181 on St. Thomas.
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