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Leading Child Development Experts Will Gather In Los Angeles To Discuss Latest Research And Practice Issues On Early Childhood Development

Nearly 2,000 early childhood professionals from across the country will gather in Los Angeles in early December at Zero To Three's 23rd National Training Institute (NTI) to discuss how to best support the health and development of babies and toddlers. America's Pediatrician Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, a founder of Zero To Three, will open the conference as he shares his groundbreaking work in the field of infant development. The National Training Institute, held Dec. 4-7 will feature over 70 sessions that include state-of-the art research as well as best practices and innovative programs serving babies, toddlers and families.

Over 30 sessions this year will include presentations by California early childhood development experts, including:

- The 4th Trimester: A Novel Paradigm for Calming Fussy Babies and Promoting Sleep- Is it really gas making that newborn cry? Session presenter argues that it is not gas that causes colic but a "missing 4th trimester" and, that infants are not fully prepared to enter the world. He will describe a new "calming" reflex and five steps to trigger it to soothe fussy infants and encourage sleep. The presenter Harvey N. Karp, MD, FAAP, The Happiest Baby, Los Angeles, CA

- Ghosts and Angels in the Nursery: Repairing the Effect of Stress and Trauma in Infancy-Despite a popular misconception, even the youngest babies can experience stress and trauma from their environment and interactions with others. This session will discuss research and treatment for the effectiveness of child-parent psychotherapy for mental health disturbances in the first 5 years of life. Presenters: Alicia F. Lieberman, PhD, and Patricia Van Horn, PhD, University of California, San Francisco

- Immigration: Supporting Newcomer Families With Young Children -- The demographics of families in America are rapidly changing. Consequently, many early childhood programs are faced with growing need to serve families and children of diverse immigrant backgrounds but may lack the knowledge and resources to best do so. This session will highlight trends in immigration and ways to improve response around culture and early development. Presenters: Manuel Pastor, PhD, University of Southern California; Dina C. Castro, PhD, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Marlene Zepeda, PhD, California State University, Los Angeles, CA

- The Birth of Social Intelligence: How Infants Learn About the Minds of Others - Research over the past 20 years reveals a new look at the psychological sophistication of infants and toddlers. Presenter describes how these new discoveries portray the first two years of life as foundational to the growth of social understanding in the years to come. Presenter: Alison Gopnik, PhD, University of California, Berkeley, CA

- Depression in the Family System: Emerging Issues and Best Practices in Working With Culturally Diverse Families -- Presenters will discuss the effects of depression in family systems during the postpartum, infant and toddler years. They will address identification of and treatment options, including cultural variations and responses to treatment. Marva Lewis, PhD, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA; Jean Miranda, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; Sandy Wolkoff, LCSW-R, North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center, Glen Head, NY; William Beardslee, MD, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA

Early childhood professionals can register on-line at http://www.zttnticonference.org. The NTI will be held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, 404 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles. Reporters who want to attend the conference, talk to presenters or receive audiotapes of the sessions should contact Lynette Ciervo or Tom Salyers at 202-638-1144.

Zero to Three is a national nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.