Sessions

The voices and perspectives of family members can be powerful tools for learning about and practicing the skills that are necessary to authentically engage and partner with families. This session will offer effective examples for engaging, preparing, and supporting family members to play a variety of roles in preservice education. Participants will also discover new resources, hear about makeovers of activities and assignments, and learn about ways to increase the diversity of family perspectives in any course or PD opportunity.

Handouts

Resources-Handout-Family-Session-2023-Final

Systemic racism, or racism as it is embedded in laws, policies, regulations, and practices, intersects with ableism, and perpetuates the perception that disability is inherently bad, wrong, or in need of “fixing,” in early childhood classrooms every day. Early childhood educators send implicit and explicit messages to children about disability and race, building frames for young children to engage in either segregation or inclusion. Developing robust understandings of child development, of our own professional and implicit biases about disability and race, and of the ways in which these understandings shape who is included and who is excluded from our learning communities is essential to advancing equity. In this session, we will provide an overview of intersectionality and the implications of implicit bias in early childhood and will share strategies for professional development providers and faculty to address biases related to children with disabilities and challenge deficit-based assumptions that limit our practices of meaningful inclusion. Through interactive activities and discussion, presenters will share strategies and resources for faculty and PD providers to practice meaningful inclusion alongside with their learners in a way that positively impacts all children and allows all children to develop a positive sense of belonging and identity.

The evidence is clear: inclusion benefits children, families, programs, communities, and even state and local early childhood systems! Join us to consider ways we can foster inclusion through cross-sector collaboration, policy initiatives, professional development, public awareness efforts, creative funding strategies, and most importantly, partnerships with families.

Handouts

beyond_the_classroom_5_17_23

Beyond_the_Classroom_reflection_handout

beyond the classroom resources

How can we build the capacity of future early childhood educators to adapt, individualize, and make informed decisions about how to support the learning and development of individual children? This session will describe and demonstrate resources and professional development activities for building those capacities. Particular emphasis will be placed on using evidence-based inclusive practices related to cultivating playful STEM and language-rich learning experiences.

This interactive session aims to explore one state’s cross-sector Family Engagement and Leadership Framework for relationship-based, authentic practices. After hearing one parent’s experiences in early intervention and early childhood special education programs, participants will discuss barriers, identify strategies, and share tools that support family involvement, engagement, partnerships with practitioners, and development as leaders and advocates. The presentation aims to center families’ “choice and voice” as they lead and advocate for their children, programs, and communities.

Handouts

Family_Engagement_and_Leadership_Practices_Participant_Guide__2_

This session is designed to support participants in exploring how collaboration can support inclusion at the practice and system levels. Examples from community inclusion will be shared. Additionally, the group will explore how a collaborative services training and professional development can support communities in working together to provide inclusive settings for children .

Coordination between services is not always an easy job. One of the most important things is family leadership which gives support to have good communication in the children’s services. In this session, we talked about the steps that an early intervention practitioner with family support does in relation with the school. Also, we talked about the importance of working together to create an inclusive environment.

More children with autism are being served in early childhood inclusive settings. This session focuses on components of high-quality, inclusive, early childhood classrooms for students with autism such as social competence, curriculum and instruction, communication, independence, family participation, and behavior. Specific strategies will be shared that teachers and practitioners can use to enhance quality.   Resources for assessing the classroom environment and free, online resources for implementing evidence-based practices will be shared. Participants will engage in discussion and reflection on program quality in their own classrooms and will develop an action plan for enhancing program quality in their setting.

Handouts

AFIRM for Toddlers Flyer

NPDC Flyer

Planning for Quality

Relationships are at the heart of family centered practices. This interactive session aims to explore culturally affirming and sustaining practices that support diverse families of young children with disabilities on their journeys to leadership and advocacy. Participants will consider one state’s Family Engagement and Leadership Framework, conceptualized as a continuum of reciprocal relationships, to examine procedural and relational barriers impacting families, and identify potential solutions. Participants will engage in discussion,  self-reflection,  and action planning as they consider foundational practices, attitudes, and skills that support reciprocal relationships with families.

Handouts

Handout_1_I_Am_From_Template

Handout_2_Building_Relationships_with_Families

Handout_3_Strategies_for_Family_Involvement

Handout_4_Strategies_for_Family_Engagment

Handout_5_The_4_Es_of_Family_Engagement_Working_with_Diverse_Families

Handout_6_Strategies_for_Family_Partnerships

Handout_7_Strategies_for_Family_Leadership

Handout_8__Recommendations_from_Families_to_Impl…t_Family_Engagement_and_Partnership_Practices

Handouts

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