Region 1&2 ECSE Snippets
February 2024
The Region 1&2 ECSE Snippets purpose is to provide monthly communication with practitioners regarding regional happenings, upcoming trainings and resources. It is each practitioner's responsibility to check with their district/supervisor regarding use of the resources and participation in professional development opportunities.
If you have any suggestions for resources, trainings, or regional happenings to spotlight please send them to Wendy Carter at wcarter@bric.k12.mn.us.
Region 1&2 Spotlight
Upcoming Professional Development
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)
Resource Highlights
Inclusive Children's Literature (NEW!)
Equity
Autism Resources
Family Engagement
Housekeeping
Do you know someone to spotlight?
Do you know of someone doing something fantastic in their classroom or on home visits? Or maybe it’s you! Do you have a new strategy, curriculum, or resource that others could benefit from? The Region 1&2 Spotlight is here to highlight all of the amazing things happening for young children in our area. If you or someone you know has something to share, please let me know and I would love to include it in future editions of the ECSE Snippets! Contact Wendy at wcarter@bric.k12.mn.us
MDE Training Opportunities
Early Childhood Screening Open Office Hours
Join your peers to discuss new screening program guidance and best practices the third Tuesday of each month, 12-1 p.m., through April 16, 2024.
The next open office hours date is February 20, 2024 at 12:00 PM.
Unlocking Potential: Empowering Teachers with AAC Strategies for Use in Daily Instruction
This session will provide participants with information on the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication strategies to improve their students’ communication and interaction in daily instruction. This will include methods to teach the use of AAC systems including modeling and partner assisted input, the importance of communication partners and discussion of barriers to success.
Date: March 5, 2024
Time: 3:00-4:30 pm
Cost: Free
Register: Unlocking Potential: Empowering Teachers with AAC Strategies for Use in Daily Instruction
Sign up for the DCYF Newsletter
The Implementation Office for the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) sends a regular newsletter with updates about the new agency. Feel free to sign up for the DCYF newsletter and share the link with your partners.
Recommended Practices in Early Intervention
The purpose of the Recommended Practices in Early Intervention trainings will be to share evidence-based best practices for Early Childhood Special Education practitioners with the focus on home-visiting for Part C practitioners but is applicable for 3-5 providers partnering with community partners and for our home visiting community partners.
*There is 1 more session in this is a 4-day total training. Feel free to register for this day if it would meet your professional development needs.
- Day 4 (2/8/24) Coaching: An Evidence Based Practice
This training is offered in collaboration with the Region 3 MNCoE Professional Development Facilitator.
Registration: Recommended Practices in Early Intervention
Cost: Free (for virtual attendance)
Sensory Strategies as Tools for Self-Regulation and Healing - 2 parts
Pediatric Occupational Therapist Alyssa Mason describes how sensory activities may be used to support all children, with an emphasis on attending to the needs of children who have experienced trauma.This video focuses on the connections between sensory systems, self-regulation, co-regulation, and the impact of trauma as well as what to pay attention to in group care environments and the importance of consent.
(12 minutes)
Sensory Strategies as Tools for Self-Regulation and Healing (Part 1)
In the 2nd video, Alyssa demonstrates “hands-on” and “hands-off” strategies targeting each sensory system, along with strategies to request consent as well as what helps us know when strategies are working.
(27 minutes)
Sensory Strategies as Tools for Self-Regulation and Healing (Part 2)
Think about your favorite children’s book. Who are the main characters? Animals? Children? Adults? Do they look like you? Do they have a disability? Who are the authors?
As you make decisions about books to include in your classroom library, remember to consider including disability and diversity through children’s literature.
Children’s book author and illustrator, Eric Velasquez says,
“Once a child sees himself represented in a book, his existence is validated, and he feels that he is part of the world.”
This new section will feature a children’s book each month that includes diversity in the author, illustrator, or primary characters.
Bowwow Powwow
Windy Girl is blessed with a vivid imagination. From Uncle she gathers stories of long-ago traditions, about dances and sharing and gratitude. Windy can tell such stories herself—about her dog, Itchy Boy, and the way he dances to request a treat and how he wriggles with joy in response to, well, just about everything.
This playful story by Brenda Child is accompanied by a companion retelling in Ojibwe by Gordon Jourdain and brought to life by Jonathan Thunder’s vibrant dreamscapes. The result is a powwow tale for the ages.
To see a video reading of this book, use these links:
Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV)
A new Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) page has been added to the Minnesota Low Incidence Project Website. You will find the latest information on the Vivian Act, current statistics and additional resources to help increase practitioners and families' understanding of cCMV.
Every Kid Needs a Champion
Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don't like.'" A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level.
Watch this inspiring Ted Talk at this link: Every Kid Needs a Champion
(8 minutes)
STAR Online Learning System (SOLS)
Did you know all MN educators can get a SOLS Account? This also includes the STAR Media Center!
Recorded demonstration of how to use the STAR Media Center/SOLS in your classroom
Practice Guides for Families
The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) Practices Guides are listed by the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices topics and are intended for practitioners to share with families. The Practice Guides are formatted for print as well as for viewing on mobile devices. They are also available in Spanish.
ECTA Center Practice Guides for Families