Two Glenbard Parent Series early childhood webinars will outline increasing motivation, supporting development

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, the Glenbard Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will present "Start Them Off Right: Partnerships that Build Early Childhood Success" with psychologist Iheoma Iruka in two webinars: at noon and 7 p.m. via Zoom. Go to glenbardgps.org for further information and the link to these webinars.

To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, send an email to Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org.

Healthy development in the early years - particularly birth to age three - provides the building blocks for future learning capacity, behavior and physical and mental health. Iruka advocates for having high expectations, affirming strengths and abilities and cultivating family culture. Iruka will present engaging learning experiences that will increase motivation and support development in children from birth to age 10.

At noon Feb. 28, Iruka will be in conversation with Junlei Li, senior lecturer in early childhood education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His research and practice focus on understanding and supporting the work of those who serve children and families on the front lines of education and social services. Li's work is influenced and inspired by the pioneering work of Fred Rogers, creator of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood". He previously served as the co-director and professor for early learning and children's media at the Fred Rogers Center

At 7 p.m. Feb. 28, Iruka will be in conversation with Michaeleen Doucleff, a global health correspondent for National Public Radio's Science Desk and author of the bestseller "Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans."

Iruka is a research professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a fellow at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and founding director of the Equity Research Action Coalition at FPG. She also serves on the U.S. Census Bureau National Advisory Council.

GPS is generously sponsored by the Cebrin Goodman Center, Community Consolidated School District 93 Birth to 5 Coalition, Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE), College of DuPage, Duly Health and Care, Emmy Gaffey Foundation, Glenbard Early Childhood Collaborative, Kids Matter, Kiwanis Clubs of Division 9, Prevention Leadership Team of the DuPage County Health Department, Rosecrance Health Network and Webb-Hutter Family Fund of DuPage Foundation.