LEWISTON – The Lewiston Public Library will host a series of evening workshops beginning Thursday, Sept. 11, for people working in the field of early childhood education. The theme of the program is “Children and Conflict in a Changing World.”

Sponsored by the Maine Humanities Council as part of its Born to Read initiative, the six-week seminar is an opportunity for educators and caretakers to learn more about children’s books and the practice of reading aloud.

Under the guidance of two facilitators, participants will explore themes of peace and conflict in picture books that can foster new conversations with young children about their own experience of conflict.

Participants in previous sessions have responded enthusiastically, according to Brita Zitin of the Maine Humanities Council. “They say that they have benefited by expanding their awareness of what skills children need in order to develop into creative, caring and cooperative beings,” she said, “and have also increased their knowledge of what books are available to spark discussions with children about making new friends and learning healthy alternatives to fighting.”

One pre-school teacher, said Zitin, remarked on her seminar evaluation form, “Every night I couldn’t wait to come because of the nuggets I would go home with.”

The seminar will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on six consecutive Thursdays, Sept. 11 through Oct. 16, in the Lewiston Public Library’s first-floor conference room, the Couture Room.

There is a tuition fee of $25, which includes a light supper and two new books at each session. For educators in need of recertification credits, 1.5 CEUs are available for an additional $13.

For more details on the program or to register, visit the Born to Read Web site: http://www.mainehumanities.org/programs/btr-seminar.html. The program is made possible by a grant from Jane’s Trust.