Children’s Center Hosts Award-Winning Workshop, Handwriting Without Tears

This press release comes from The Children’s Center for Communication and Development

HATTIESBURG, MISS. - The transition to kindergarten is an exciting time for little ones and parents alike, but with that excitement also comes feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. And for families of children with disabilities, it can be downright scary. In an effort to help calm these fears and also to provide important tools for parents, educators, and clinicians, The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at USM hosted a 2-day award-winning workshop, Handwriting Without Tears this past Thursday and Friday.

The event, held on USM’s Hattiesburg Campus, was designed to arm those who work with children at this pivotal stage with new, exciting ways of building a strong foundation for success in school.

“We are so excited to bring this nationally renowned workshop to professionals and parents right here in Hattiesburg. At The Children’s Center, we focus on the importance of early intervention for children with complex disabilities, but we know that what happens once they leave our walls is just as important to their growth and development,” said Monica Bridges, speech-language pathologist at The Children’s Center, and event coordinator. “We work hard to set our little ones up for success while we have them, but we also aim to help provide their parents and future educators and therapists with tools to help them continue on this path to a bright future.”

In addition to providing cost-free therapy to children age 0-5 at The Children’s Center, Bridges also spends time providing follow-up services to children and families who have graduated from The Center. Just added last year, this new service has already proven to be an essential part of The Children’s Center’s wholistic approach to therapies. “They may not be enrolled at The Children’s Center anymore, but our commitment to their success doesn’t end at graduation,” says Bridges.

And with the addition of these new follow-up services and the hosting of critically acclaimed workshops like Handwriting Without Tears, along with the extensive training provided to university students each year, The Children’s Center for Communication and Development has made it clear that their investment in the lives of children with disabilities goes far beyond the work that is done while they are in their midst. As Bridges says, “We’re always looking to find the best possible tools for helping our little ones reach their potential, and we are so thankful when we have an opportunity to learn alongside the professionals and parents who will be helping shape their futures as well.”

About The Children’s Center for Communication and Development

The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi is a non-profit that provides cost-free communicative and developmental transdisciplinary services to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers while educating, training and supporting families, university students and professionals. For more information, visit www.usm.edu/childrenscenter.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Founded in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi is a comprehensive doctoral and research-driven university with a proud history and an eye on the future. A dual-campus university, Southern Miss serves students on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, in addition to five teaching and research sites in Mississippi and through Online at Southern Miss. Since 2006, our students have collected three Truman Scholarships and 17 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. USM students also lead Mississippi with 21 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Our Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research affords our students meaningful research opportunities, and as a proven leader in innovation, we conduct transformative research that translates into real-world solutions. As one of only 36 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music, we are a haven for creativity and artistic expression. In the classroom or lab, on the playing field, or in the performance hall, we strive to have a positive impact not only on our students, but also the world around us. Further information is found at usm.edu.