Encore NATURE & NURTURE: HONORING DEVELOPMENT

In the first segment, Dr. Bloom and Ms. Yanosy explore the notion of Nature and Nurture and how they are manifested in our lives by discussing childhood development, and how the lessons learned in our early years follow us throughout our lifespans. This is particularly relevant when children experience abuse, loss, or insufficient care. This same phenomenon applies to groups, as organizations and communities follow a developmental trajectory, and their needs change as they age. For the second and third segment, we have invited two experienced early childhood educators to share their experiences with the powerful forces of development that impact every child, particularly when children do not get what they need to thrive. Diane Wagenhals is currently the Program Director for the Lakeside Global Institute’s Educational Network. Throughout her long career, Ms. Wagenhals has been an elementary school teacher, a childbirth educator, a family therapist and founder of a parenting education company. Our other guest, Suzanne O’Connor, served for eighteen years as the Early Childhood and Trauma Initiatives Manager and then Director of Education and Senior Advocate for Trauma-Informed Care for United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. She now serves as the Director of Trauma-Informed Early Childhood Education for the Lakeside Global Institute.