Today's children may live to be 125 years old.

They have to be thinkers, says Bev Bos, who was guest speaker at an Early Childhood-School-Age Child Care Conference held Saturday on Southeast Missouri State University campus.

Today's children will solve future issues -- AIDS and other health issues, transportation problems and much more, said Bos.

"These children must be divergent thinkers," she said. "They must become creative thinkers."

Bos, director and teacher at Roseville Community Preschool in Roseville, Calif. for 32 years, is the author of three books on creativity for young children: "Don't Move the Muffin Tins," "Before the Basics" and "Together We're Better."

Bos lectures internationally -- she has been speaker in Japan, Germany and nations -- on creative art, music and language; self-esteem; and helping children learn how to socialize naturally.

As an expert on children's education has been a guest on National Public Radio, on local television in Sacramento, Calif., and has been featured on ABC News' "20/20."

Bos has five grown children and 13 grandchildren.

"We want children to be thinkers," said Bos, who conducted two workshop sessions in Robert A. Dempster Hall's Glenn Auditorium. "All of us are aware of how quick the world can change -- of all the new things in the world."

"I still teach school three days a week," said Dos. "In addition, I conduct two to three workshops a week. I like to stress that youngsters should think for themselves and learn to socialize naturally."