3-04-2010
Recovering Childhood for 21st Century Children
A Public Talk by Joan Almon, Director, U.S. Alliance for Childhood
at Merriconeag School in Freeport
Huge strides have been made in understanding children's development over the past 50 years, yet there is a growing gap between our understanding of what children need for a healthy and creative childhood and the actual practices and policies that deeply affect children's lives. As a result there are growing amounts of illness in children with huge increases in prescribed drugs for psychological problems, as well as a host of problems associated with childhood obesity. Overall, there is a sense that children are being rushed through childhood and that this is creating untold stress and strain for them. There is also a sense that the tide is shifting and there is much that can be done to support a healthy and vibrant childhood for all children. Joan Almon will explore with us the positive steps as well as the obstacles.
Joan Almon is a co-founder and director of the U.S. Alliance for Childhood, an advocacy organization that works on policies and practices that support children’s creativity, health and well-being. Joan was a Waldorf preschool and kindergarten teacher in Maryland for 18 years and has consulted with schools in Mexico and South America, Africa, Asia and Europe, as well as throughout the U.S. and Canada. She also served on the Council of the Anthroposophical Society in America as its Chair or Co-Chair for five years.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
7:00 PM
Community Hall, Grade School Campus, 57 Desert Road, Freeport
