Central Wisconsin News

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's School of Education is set to host a watch party for the Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference on January 28. This event, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Dreyfus University Center Theater, invites early childhood professionals, aspiring teachers, and anyone involved with children to participate.

The Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference is an online learning platform aimed at parents, teachers, and caregivers. It focuses on providing practical strategies backed by research to support children's social, emotional, and developmental growth.

"The work we do today with Wisconsin’s youngest children shapes their potential and, ultimately, the future of our communities," stated School of Education Assistant Professor Sarah Beaulieu. "By investing in nurturing, supportive environments for children in these critical years, we are empowering them to thrive and building a stronger, more resilient state for generations to come."

Participants can attend the full event or select specific sessions that interest them. The conference schedule includes various expert-led sessions:

- At 8:30 a.m., Dipesh Navsaria will present "Early Experiences Elevate Everything: Early Brain and Child Development and the Future of Society."

- At 9:45 a.m., Larissa Duncan will discuss "Mindfulness and Compassion for Well-Being."

- At 11 a.m., Laura Froyen will address "Navigating Challenging Behaviors in Early Childhood with Grace & Respect."

- At 1 p.m., Michelle Sands will talk about "Five Critical Conversations Necessary to Support Children’s Transition to Kindergarten."

- At 2:15 p.m., Stephen Whiteside will offer insights on "A Parent’s Guide to Treating Childhood Anxiety and OCD."

- At 3:30 p.m., Amanda Morris will cover "Raising Resilient Teenagers: Breaking the Intergenerational Cycle of Family Adversity."

Interested individuals can register for the event at https://go.wisc.edu/10f222. Snacks and beverages will be available during the event. Additionally, continuing education credit through the Wisconsin Registry is offered for select sessions.

This complimentary event is sponsored by UWSP's School of Education in collaboration with UW Extension. For inquiries, contact Alicia Utke at UW Extension Waupaca County via utkebecher@wisc.edu or call 715-258-6225.

For those unable to attend in person at UWSP, individual registration for the virtual conference is available at https://parenting.extension.wisc.edu/raising-wisconsins-children-2025-conference.