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Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges: Strategies for Including Children with Disabilities in Early Care and Education, February 25-26, 2005

Increasingly, children with disabilities are attending center-based early care and education programs. Yet many administrators and teachers have little training on how to adapt the curriculum and learning environment to meet the needs of these children. That's why Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges: Strategies for Including Children with Disabilities in Early Care and Education, has been developed.

This institute, sponsored by The Center for Early Childhood Leadership, will highlight the Child Care plus+ Curriculum on Inclusion. Participants will learn about the history and laws associated with inclusive practices, strategies for adapting center and classroom environments, how to build partnerships with children and families in inclusive settings, and resources for supporting staff.

The institute is designed for child care center directors, assistant directors, curriculum coordinators, lead teachers, and other early childhood professionals interested in enhancing their knowledge and skills in the area of inclusion.

Topics will include:

• What is inclusion and why is it important?
• How to tailor activities, play materials, and routines to meet the needs of children with disabilities
• How to create learning environments that are physically and developmentally accessible to children with special need
• Strategies for building partnerships with families
• Positive approaches to guiding the behavior of young children
• Techniques for promoting communication skills in young children
• How to strengthen the role of the teacher as an effective member of the IPSP/IEP team

Training will be held at the Center's facility on National-Louis University's Wheeling, Illinois, campus, located 20 minutes from O'Hare International Airport near Chicago.

The schedule is:

Friday, February 25, 2005, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 26, 2005, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Participants may receive two semester hours of graduate credit (ECE532, Advocating for Children with Special Needs) by paying an additional fee, completing course assignments, and participating in an additional day of training on March 11, 2005, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Registration is $199 (after February 1, $225). This fee includes texts, handouts, and meals (breakfasts and lunches). The registration fee is due upon enrollment and cannot be refunded after February 15, 2005. Participants are expected to cover their own travel and hotel expenses. Accommodations are available at the Candlewood Suites adjacent to the training site. Call (847) 520-1684 for reservations and mention you are attending a Center training event to receive the special rate.

For more information, contact Eileen Eisenberg at (800) 443-5522, ext. 5056, or eeisenberg@nl.edu or go to http://cecl.nl.edu/training/winter.htm.

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