News

Dreams & Discoveries: Journeys Through Childhood

March 20, 2006
Hanover, NH

"Dreams & Discoveries: Journeys Through Childhood," Dartmouth Community Medical School's spring program will highlight the many advances enhancing our understanding of childhood development and children with special needs or chronic illness.

The course opens April 4, at 7 p.m. and continues for eight consecutive Tuesday evening sessions at the Dartmouth Medical School campus in Hanover, NH.

Registration for the series ends March 27 and space is limited. For further information on the course and registration information, go to the DCMS website.

"Growing up provides so many challenges to children, their parents and the community," said Dr. Donald St. Germain, director of Dartmouth Community Medical School. "In our new spring program we will be discussing important and interesting information that is becoming available in the areas of childhood development and pediatric care. In this way, we hope to help parents, grandparents and educators be in the best position possible to provide their children with the support and guidance they need as they make the incredible journey through childhood and adolescence."

The program's first session on the evening of April 4th will encompass a century of remarkable advances in maternal and child health. This class, "Looking Forward, Looking Back," will be presented by a team of doctors, including Dartmouth Medical School Dean Stephen Spielberg, and will conclude with a glimpse of the future of children's health. Other topics in the series will include learning and language development, chronic childhood illnesses, societal and family values, psychological issues, disabilities, allergies and the special issues adolescents face as they mature sexually and intellectually.

Initiated in 1998 to open the doors of Dartmouth Medical School to the public, DCMS features courses that highlight the many advances in medical knowledge and technology that are transforming our lives. The courses are taught by some of Dartmouth's most accomplished faculty members, as well as special guest speakers.

All presentations are targeted to a general audience, and students of high school age and older are welcome. This program may be of special interest to parents, educators, childcare professionals and those involved with child development programs. We also invite high school teachers to encourage their students to consider attending the program for independent study credits.

Dreams & Discoveries: Journeys Through Childhood

2006 Dartmouth Community Medical School: April 4 - May 23
Eight Weekly Sessions, 7 - 9 p.m.
Kellogg Auditorium, Dartmouth Medical School Hanover, New Hampshire

Session 1: Tuesday, April 4

LOOKING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK
A century of remarkable advances in maternal and child health and what the future holds.

Session 2: Tuesday, April 11

LEARNING & LANGUAGE
Exploring how we learn and acquire language skills.

Session 3: Tuesday, April 18

DIABETES 7 OBESITY: THE COMING EPIDEMIC
Helping children, family and community deal with the challenges.

Session 4: Tuesday, April 25

SOCIETY, THE FAMILY & THE CHILD
The impact of societal values on the child and adolescent.

Session 5: Tuesday, MAY 2

WHEN LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH
Helping the child with special needs.

Session 6: Tuesday, May 9

BUILDING AWARENESS, SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS
A discussion of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, autism, depression & suicide.

Session 7: Tuesday, May 16

BUT MOM-I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER!
Understanding childhood allergies & immunizations.

Session 8: Tuesday, May 23

ADOLESCENCE: FINDING ONE'S WAY
Resilience in the face of confusing choices.