TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Claudia Quigg, founder and executive director of “Baby TALK,” a community engagement program building parent-infant relationships, will speak Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. in the Child Development Research Center on The University of Alabama campus.

Her topic, “Holding Hands and Hearts: A Night Celebrating Children and Families,” is free and open to the public. A reception precedes at 5 p.m., and a question and answer session follows at 7 p.m. Children are welcome.

The presentation, focusing on the joys and challenges of parenting, is sponsored by the University’s College of Human Environmental Sciences’ department of child development resources.

Quigg’s visit coincides with the third annual Preschool Symposium on Sept. 25 and 26.

Quigg founded Baby TALK in Decatur, Ill. in 1986. The program is now replicated in 36 states, including Alabama, and Canada.

Baby TALK (Teaching Activities for Learning and Knowledge) works in community hospitals, schools, libraries, health clinics and literacy programs to deliver programs which are accessible and meaningful to families' needs. This includes going where parents and children already are: healthcare providers, human service agencies, neighborhoods and homes.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.