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04-08-09
Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, "America's Pediatrician," to speak at National Provider Appreciation Day Celebration

White Plains, N.Y.; April 8, 2009 –  Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, noted pediatrician, author and nationally recognized expert on young children and Dr. Joshua Sparrow, child, adolescent and general psychiatrist, author and child development expert, will speak at Sarah Lawrence College on Friday, May 8 from 9:00 – 11:00am. During their presentation entitled “Touchpoints: A Developmental and Relational Model for Working With Children and Families,” Dr. Brazelton and Dr. Sparrow will discuss the issue of preparing children to be successful academically, in ways that respect and nurture the whole child. The event, which coincides with Westchester’s Child Care Provider Appreciation Day, is being sponsored by the Child Care Council of Westchester, The Guidance Center, a licensed mental health agency, and Sarah Lawrence College.  The lecture will be held in the Reisinger Concert Hall in Sarah Lawrence College’s Charles R. DeCarlo Performing Arts Center, and will be followed by a half hour question/answer session and a book signing. The event is open to all interested in early childhood (professionals, parents, providers) and costs $25 per person; you can register by e-mailing agelles@tgcny.org  or calling 914-636-4440, ext 240.  On site registration begins at 8:30am and a continental breakfast will be provided. Sarah Lawrence College is located at 1 Mead Way, Bronxville, NY 10708.

Dr. Brazelton’s concept of “Touchpoints” reaches out to early childhood educators, early interventionists, and health care and social service providers who are ready for change – a change from focusing only on what’s wrong, to focusing also on what's right; a change from telling parents what to do, to listening to what families need and supporting their discovery of what is best for their children.  Touchpoints is a proven way of understanding and participating in early childhood and family development. This approach empowers early childhood professionals and parents to discover new ways of working with children, guiding them through  children’s predictable crises (touchpoints) to support  children’s self-esteem and readiness to take on the world, and make the most of the precious early years  to give  children the best possible future.

This exciting event is part of the Westchester Child Care Provider Appreciation Day designated by Westchester County Executive Andy Spano, and recognizes the vital work of Westchester County child care providers, which benefits Westchester’s economy.

Sarah Lawrence College is located at 1 Mead Way, Bronxville, NY 10708. Reisinger is located on Glen Washington Road between Kimball Avenue and Mead Way.  The entrance to the Kober Parking lot is on Wilgarth Road at the Campbell Sports Center, between Kimball Avenue and Wrexham Road.

Child Care Council Executive Director Kathy Halas is thrilled to have Dr. Brazelton speak in Westchester County.  “Child care experts in the County are becoming increasingly concerned about the intrusion of heavy academics into early childhood environments – in part because of pressures on schools and parental anxiety about their children’s well-being,“ says Ms. Halas.  “Many parents, out of concern for their children and relentless exposure to marketing pressure, are asking child care programs to utilize dittos and rote memorization, assign homework, and issue report cards, often at the expense of more appropriate and effective approaches to early learning.   We encourage everyone who has a child or a role in caring for children to come hear Dr. Brazelton and Dr. Sparrow speak about what it takes to prepare the whole child for school success.” 

 “At The Guidance Center we are passionate about teaching and supporting early childhood social/emotional learning because it is so important in laying a vital foundation for children and families,” says Amy Gelles, Executive Director of The Guidance Center. “ We are looking forward to having Dr. Brazelton and Dr. Sparrow’s share with us, through their Touchpoints presentation, how to further help children and families in Westchester County to learn, work and thrive.”

ABOUT T. BERRY BRAZELTON, M.D. AND JOSHUA SPARROW, M.D.

Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, Professor Emeritus at Harvard Medical School and founder of the Brazelton Touchpoints Center at Children’s Hospital Boston, and Dr. Joshua Sparrow, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School and Director of Special Initiatives at the Brazelton Touchpoints Center, two nationally recognized experts in child development, will explore how the concept of Touchpoints can offer the child and the family opportunities to work through difficult, yet predictable phases of development.  Known as the “nation’s pediatrician,” Dr. Brazelton is also a tenacious parent advocate and champion for policies designed to improve the quality of child care for all children and their families.  Dr. Sparrow co-authored eight books with Dr. Brazelton and has lectured extensively on child and adolescent development.

T. Berry Brazelton MD is acclaimed for his decades of pioneering efforts in early childhood development and pediatrics.  Many parents know him as author of the best selling Touchpoints books, a weekly New York Times Syndicate column, “Families Today” and as the host of the Emmy winning cable television program What Every Baby Knows that ran for 12 years. He has been described as "America's most celebrated and influential baby doctor since Benjamin Spock." 

Dr. Joshua Sparrow, MD, is a graduate of Yale Medical School, completed his residency training and child psychiatry fellowship at Harvard Medical School teaching hospitals and is board certified in child/adolescent and general psychiatry. Dr. Sparrow’s work with the Brazelton Touchpoints Center has included consultation on child development and parenting to the Harlem Children’s Zone and to American Indian Early Head Start Programs.

Dr. T. BerBr