APPLETON EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Research shows that the first five years are critical to a child’s growth and development – physically, emotionally and socially, as well as in health and learning.

“Environmental Influences During Early Childhood,“ the second installment in the Community Education Series – Brain to Five, will help ensure we’re giving our children the tools, skills and knowledge needed for success in school and life and help us become more effective parents, educators and role models.

Click on any title below to read more about the topics covered and presenter bios. You can also browse our 2009 article archives or download free resources. Complete Series information can also be found in the 2009 Brain to Five Series brochure (PDF).

An Unanticipated Life: Parenting a Child with Autism
Prenatal Environments Shape Brain Development
Risk and Resilience in Infancy and Early Childhood: Preterm Birth and Maternal Depression
Healthy Surroundings: Applying Research to Real Life

An Unanticipated Life: Parenting a Child with Autism
Presented by Marsha Mailick Seltzer, PhD

PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS Watch Video (56 min)
As autism diagnosis rates continue to climb and now affect nearly one in 150 children, Dr. Seltzer discusses the impact of this disorder on the entire family. She shares insight from studies on 400 families living with autism and explains how nurturing environments – both inside and outside the home – play such a critical role in development.

ABOUT DR. SELTZER
Dr. Seltzer has served as the Director of the highly acclaimed Waisman Center since 2002 and focuses her research on disability and its life course impact on the family with studies on autism, fragile X and Down syndromes and schizophrenia. She received the Distinguished Research Award of The Arc and has authored more than 130 publications.

CREDENTIALS
PhD, Brandeis University; Vaughan Bascom Professor; Waisman Center Director

Prenatal Environments Shape Brain Development
Presented by Mary Schneider, PhD

PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS

During pregnancy, prenatal and environmental influences can have a real impact on a child’s development. Dr. Schneider will discuss these risks and focus on how parents can practice healthy lifestyles to give babies the best start in life.

ABOUT DR. SCHNEIDER

Recently honored for her research, teaching and service with the Faculty Distinguished Education Award, Dr. Schneider continues to study the effects of fetal alcohol exposure and sensory processing disorder. She has extensive experience as a clinical occupational therapist and coordinates the Waisman Center’s UW Madison's Occupational Therapy Program.

CREDENTIALS

PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Waisman Center Investigator; Professor of Occupational Therapy and Psychology

Risk and Resilience in Infancy and Early Childhood: Preterm Birth and Maternal Depression
Presented by Julie Poehlmann, PhD

PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS
As director of the Waisman Center’s Infant-Parent Interaction Lab, Dr. Poehlmann’s applied research with high-risk infants and children sheds light on how these age groups develop despite environmental challenges. Her presentation focuses on two specific risks affecting development: preterm birth and maternal depression.

ABOUT DR. POEHLMANN
Dr. Poehlmann helped Wisconsin Public Television develop its caregiver guide for children affected by methamphetamine addiction and taught a long-running child development course broadcast on the station. She also created an award-winning, Web-based series for grandparents raising their grandchildren.

CREDENTIALS
PhD, Syracuse University; Waisman Center Investigator; Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies and Educational Psychology

Healthy Surroundings: Applying Research to Real Life
Presented by Nan Brien, MS

PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS Watch Video (70 min)
Recent developments in brain research reveal the incredible importance of healthy prenatal and early childhood environments. Ms. Brien puts these findings into perspective by explaining the ways even the earliest experiences influence brain development and how positive interaction with our children makes a difference as they grow.

ABOUT MS. BRIEN
After retiring from the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, Inc., Ms. Brien continues to pursue her interest in childhood and adolescent brain development as a trainer and presenter for the Southern Child Welfare Partnership. She also serves on the Board of the Foundation for Madison Public Schools.

CREDENTIALS
Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, Inc., Retired Associate Director; former MMSD Board of Education Member; Foundation for Madison Public Schools Chair

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