Region 1&2 ECSE Snippets
April 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
CELEBRATING CEREBRAL PALSY MONTH!
Here is a member of the ASEC team, Jessica Ness, taking the initiative to celebrate her student during the month of March. This is a photo of Team Jentree and her Support Squad!
Pictured (left to right): Jessica Anderson, Jentree, and Jessica Ness
Permission was granted to us to share the photo in our newsletter.
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
Early Childhood Screening Trainings
Join your peers to discuss new screening program guidance and best practices on April 16th from 12:00-1:00.
We welcome Charles Dixon, DHS, Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP) Consultant to share about this voluntary, early intervention program, which focuses on a family’s strengths and needs, and aims to help children and parents thrive.
Register for Early Childhood Screening Open Office Hours.
Intro to Developmental, Social Emotional Screening and Referrals, April 16, 3-5 p.m. Register for the April 16 MDH and MDE intro training for those who provide early childhood screening.
Equitable Screening In-Reach and Program Administration, April 17, 3-5 p.m. Register for the April 17 equitable screening training. MDH and MDE training for those who provide screening in-reach/outreach and coordinate the program.
Intro to ASQ:3 and ASQ:SE-2 Training, Wed April 24, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Pre-register for the April 24 training by April 10 so resources may be sent by U.S. mail.
Intro to ASQ:3 and ASQ:SE-2 Training, Tuesday April 30, 4-7 p.m. Pre-register for the April 30 training by April 16 so resources may be sent by U.S. mail.
Intro to ASQ:3 and ASQ:SE-2 Training, Tuesday May 7, 12-3 p.m. Pre-register for the May 7 training by April 23 so resources may be sent by U.S. mail.
Intro to ASQ:3 and ASQ:SE-2 Training, Thursday May 23, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Pre-register for the May 23 training by May 9 so resources may be sent by U.S. mail
Open Office Hours - Early Learning Services
Transition to Kindergarten – New Resources to Support Local Planning Teams
Please note the date change: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 1-2 p.m.
The transition to kindergarten is an exciting and sensitive time for children and their families and each experience the change differently. It is important for programs and schools to thoughtfully implement transition practices that engage families and are flexible and innovative to meet the needs of each child.
Using the Successful Student Learner Equation, the Minnesota Department of Education has developed a series of tools and resources to support a comprehensive approach to support Ready Schools and Programs and Ready Communities in their transition planning and practices. This session will introduce the new resources available for use by local level transition teams across the state. Register for the April Session.
Minnesota Act Early and Follow Along Series About Autism Spectrum Disorder
The goal of this series is to support early developmental monitoring, developmental screening, early signs of ASD, connections to resources, and identification of developmental disabilities in young children (birth–age 5).
May 6 – Help Me Grow-Early Intervention and Help Me Connect
June 3 – Mental health supports
July 8 – Overcoming common barriers and waitlists
August 5 – EIDBI and healthcare coverage
Is There An App For That? Developmentally Appropriate Uses of Technology in Early Childhood
The youngest among us are no strangers to digital technology. Yet families and educators are inundated with conflicting advice about screen time. In this workshop, Erin Walsh will cut through conflicting information and translate the latest research for early childhood professionals. Using stories, warmth, and humor Erin will share ways that technology can both help and hurt children’s learning and development and explore practical strategies for helping young children thrive in a world dominated by screens.
Sponsored by Bemidji Early Childhood Collaborative (BECC)
Date: Thursday, May 2, 9:00-12:00
Cost: $40 per person (responsibility of individual districts). *Please talk with your ECSE Leader for information on the possibility of this cost being covered by regional funds.
Location: Calvary Lutheran Church
2508 Washington Ave SE, Bemidji
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.
NEW Help Me Connect - Provider Stories
Learn from local early childhood navigators – Deby Ziesmer with the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board and Fatima Ponciano with Growing Up Healthy (Northfield & Faribault) – as they share about their work supporting families with young children and using Help Me Connect as a tool to find state and local programs in their communities. Three new videos highlight the relationship between a trusted professional and a parent/guardian as a key component to supporting families and their connections to services.
Long video Both Providers (2:21)Short Video Minneapolis (0.57)
Short Video Northfield-Faribault (0.41)
Here is a FREE and accessible 24/7 training opportunity on incorporating fun and functionality into learning training. Access it anytime when you have time. https://www.ablenetinc.com/fun-and-functional-learning-form/
If this training topic isn't for you, check out the other on-demand professional development options. Some topics include: using, incorporating and funding AAC devices and what are tangible symbols? ASHA CEUs are also available.
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.
Every Body: A Celebration of Diverse Abilities
We have different ways to move around. Celebrating children of different abilities, this photographic book by Shelley Rotner presents large, clear images of children moving around their community, using scooters, wheelchairs, walkers, and more. The text presents their experiences navigating the world, from the park to the beach, in simple, relatable language. Every Body celebrates children with varying abilities, covering neurological differences, physical differences, and health challenges.
The Importance of Inclusive Literature (A Learning Deck Webinar from the Division for Early Childhood)
Imagine a world where all young children feel valued and accepted, where they feel part of a community as they learn and grow together. Practitioners have the agency to empower young children and their families to engage in rigorous discourse that will lead to understanding and acceptance. By having practitioners think critically about which texts are incorporated into their teaching, classrooms and homes, they are choosing the lenses through which young children see the world.
Date: Friday, April 28th, 2023, 2:00-3:00 Central Time (archived webinar)
Cost: $25.00 (responsibility of individual districts)
https://www.dec-sped.org/product-page/the-importance-of-inclusive-literature
Hearing Screening for Newborns, Children, and Adolescents: AAP Policy Explained
are if the child is identified with a concern.
Hearing Screening for Newborns, Children & Adolescents
Image by Josef Pichler from Pixabay
Racism and Child Development
Multiple studies have documented how the stresses of everyday discrimination on parents or other caregivers, such as being associated with negative stereotypes, can have harmful effects on caregiving behaviors and adult mental health. And when caregivers' mental health is affected, the challenges of coping with it can cause an excessive stress response in their children. But we can prevent lasting harm if we work together.
Explore this infographic from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child and additional links to learn more about how racism and other adversity in a young child’s life is directly connected to a disruption in the development of the brain and other biological system, as well as how it takes all of us to work together toward creative strategies to address these long-standing inequities.
IRIS Module - Accommodations: Instructional and Testing Supports for Students with Disabilities
This module explains how accommodations differ from other kinds of instructional adaptations.This platform requires you to sign up for an account but it is free.
Accommodations: Instructional and Testing Supports for Students with Disabilities
Early Literacy: Parents Play a Key Role
From the moment babies are born, they start developing literacy skills through their relationship with their parents. By talking, reading, singing, and playing with their infant or toddler, parents/caregivers provide the foundation their child will need to develop language and reading skills.
Here is a simple handout from the Pacer Center on ways parents and caregivers can support children’s early literacy skills.