Early Childhood Inclusion Conference on campus May 6

UM-Dearborn's School of Education and Oakwood's Center for Exceptional Families will present a conference on "Making Inclusion Work in Early Childhood with Transdisciplinary Teaming" from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, May 6 at the University's Fairlane Center North Building, located off Hubbard Drive.

The conference is geared toward members of early childhood transdisciplinary teams, such as early childhood general and special education teachers; early interventionists; parents; eOccupational, physical and speech/language therapists; social workers; psychologists; special services support staff; students and advocates.

The conference's keynote speaker will be Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, professor of early childhood intervention in the Department of Educational Foundations and Special Services at Kent State University.

Participants will learn research-based strategies, techniques and best practices for including young children with special learning needs within natural environments and general education settings.

The early childhood inclusion conference is partially funded by UM-Dearborn, Schwyn Family and Colina Foundation grants

Registration is $40 per person and includes continental breakfast and snacks. To register or for more information, visit the conference website at

This is the second year UM-Dearborn is hosting the early childhood inclusion conference. UM-Dearborn's early childhood program formed a working relationship with the Tri-County Head Start Agency in Paw Paw, Mich. after members of that organization attend last year's inaugural early childhood inclusion conference on campus.

The relationship created an opportunity for 30 Head Start teachers to learn about positive guidance procedures and creating effective learning environments during two separate Teacher Academy seminars that School of Education professors hosted in Paw Paw last fall. In addition, several Head Start teachers and site leaders have enrolled in UM-Dearborn's early childhood education programs, and other Head Start teachers are seeking admission into the children and families program as well as the newly-developed online early childhood post degree program. Both programs will assist the Head Start instructors in achieving the early childhood education preparation now mandated by the federal Head Start program.