Keynote Gigi Schweikert

working mother of four children

author of eighteen books on early

childhood education, parenting, and leadership

internationally recognized expert on the early years

taught infants, toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school

directed the United Nations Early Childhood Program

developed and managed the Johnson & Johnson Systems Family of Centers

made a gourmet meal out of organic food from her own garden (jk)

www.gigischweikert.com

Health in Child Care Conference:Stories of Best Practices from the Field and Home

Gigi Schweikertwww.gigischweikert.com

One of My Own Personal Stories

Mental Health in AmericaPrevalence of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders

Four million children and adolescents in this country suffer from a serious mental disorder.

Of children ages 9 to 17, 21 percent have a diagnosable mental or addictive disorder that causes at least minimal impairment.

Half of all lifetime cases of mental disorders begin by age 14. Despite effective treatments, there are long delays, sometimes decades, between the first onset of symptoms and when people seek and receive treatment.

In any given year, only 20 percent of children with mental disorders are identified and receive mental health services.

National Alliance on Mental Health

Consequences of Untreated Mental Disorders in Children and AdolescentsSuicideSuicide is the third leading cause of death in youth ages

15 to 24. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease combined.

School FailureApproximately 50% of students age 14 and older who are

living with a mental illness drop out of high school. This is the highest dropout rate of any disability group.

Physical ActivityOnly one in three children are physically active every day.More than 80% of adolescents do not do enough aerobic physical activity to meet

the guidelines for youth.Children now spend more than seven and a half hours a day in front of a screen.Less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day; only

one in three adults receive the recommended amount of physical activity each week.

Only about one in five homes have parks within a half-mile, and about the same number have a fitness or recreation center within that distance.

President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition

Nutrition:It’s not about thin, it’s about healthy

Early Intervention:It’s about helping children when they need it

Stress:It’s about learning to cope

Family:It’s about who loves and cares for you

Parent’s Drop-off PersonalitiesThe Drive-Thru Parent

The Invisible Parent

The Sneaking Out Parent

The Sneaking Around Parent

The Hanging Around Parent

The Good-Bye and Go Parent

What do Parents Wonder? Do you like my child?

Do you think my child is smart?

Do you like me?

Do you think I am a good parent?

www.gigischweikert.com

You make this World a Better PlaceDon’t Give Up

When to Get a New JobSmile , laugh, and have fun.

www.gigischweikert.com

You make this World a Better Place

Continue to:

Expect change

Enjoy where you are

Look to the future while you appreciate the past

Have Fun and Laugh more

Gigi SchweikertGigi’s practical ideas and realistic perspective on working with young children and supervising adults will have you laughing and learning. Invite her to speak at your conference or workshop. You may contact Gigi at www.gigischweikert.com

Follow Gigi on Twitter@gigischweikert

www.gigischweikert.com