Region 1&2 ECSE Snippets
DECEMBER 2022
The Region 1&2 ECSE Snippets purpose is to provide monthly communication with practitioners regarding regional happenings, upcoming trainings and resources. It is each practitioners 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
Equity
Autism Resources
Housekeeping
Bemidji EQIP Team
One of the the activities this team has implemented to promote family engagement is a digital newsletter focused on informing and empowering parents as a key partner in the development of their children. This monthly resource goes out to families and caregivers served by Part C. It includes theme-based ideas focusing on social emotional, sensory, vision & hearing, resources for parents, and community activities/events. You can view the newsletter here: https://tinyurl.com/novemberEInews
If you would like to investigate any of the Minnesota Centers of Excellence Innovations, check them out here: https://mncoe.org/mncoe/innov/. If you are interested, please reach out to your ECSE Leader to determine if this is a good time for exploration.
2022/23 Early Learning Nature Webinar Series
Safety First! Addressing Outdoor Safety and Outdoor Learning Policies in Early Care and Education Settings
Monday, December 5, 2022, 6:30-8 p.m.
Participants will have the opportunity to consider their outdoor policies and examine other appropriate policies, grow in their confidence in bringing children outdoors in all weather and reflect on risk reduction plans related to the outdoors. (2 hours of credit: 1.5 in class time and .5 after class time)
Join local nature educators to learn how to use our natural world as a resource to support children's development.
Questions about these webinars? Contact Lucy Arias or Kelly Kazeck.
Cost: Free
MDE Open Office Hours Screen Time – How much, When, and What If
Friday, December 9, 10:00-11:00 am
Screens can provide students with developmentally appropriate opportunities to interact with lesson material and explore content. During this session, we will review new legislation on individual use screens in public pre-K and kindergarten classrooms, review guidance on its implementation, discuss implications and strategies to prevent over reliance on screens, and provide time for discussion on this important topic.
Cost: Free
Registration: Register for the December 9 session.
Part B Due Process Webinar with MDE Q&A
Friday, December 9, 12:00-3:30 pm
We will view the 3 MDE webinars together from 12:00-2:30, and then have a live Q&A with MDE representatives from 2:30-3:30. Participants are also welcome to view them independently if desired and just join the Q&A at 2:30.
The webinars can be found here if anyone would like to view them on your own.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://fs6.formsite.com/aSD3u6/tvegyfpzaj/index.html
Please register by 12/2.
Children's Book List for Social Emotional Skills
This children’s book list from the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations includes diverse examples of books that can be used to promote social-emotional skills such as feelings and emotions, friendships, kindness, and problem solving.
Find the book list here:
https://challengingbehavior.org/implementation/program-wide/books/
Minnesota Low Incidence Areas
- Who are the low incidence specialists in our district?
- What is the protocol for reaching out to the low incidence specialists?
- How might the low incidence specialists and myself best collaborate together?
For further information on the Minnesota Low Incidence Projects you can check out: https://www.mnlowincidenceprojects.org/
Developmental Cognitive Delay (DCD)
The Minnesota Department of Education has a webpage with a Developmental Cognitive Delay manual and information on Person-Centered and Positive Behavior Support Practices to support children with DCD.
Find more information on the MDE webpage here: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/sped/cat/dcd/index.htm
MN Low Incidence Project (EHDI)
View EDHI webpage here: https://www.mnlowincidenceprojects.org/Projects/ehdi/index.html
Courageous Conversations About Race
Difficult conversations and how to have them. We know that talking about topics like race can feel challenging, especially with those closest to us-- extended family dinner, anyone? But try it out this month or try one of the following equity challenges:
OPTION 1: Watch PBS KIDS Talk About: Race, Racism, and Identity (11:07), where real families sat down to have honest, age-appropriate conversations about these important topics and offer viewers ideas to build on as they have similar conversations at home.
OPTION 2: Read AARP’s How to Have a Respectful Conversation about Racial Justice, which describes seven expert tips on approaching difficult or uncomfortable conversations.
OPTION 3: Listen to “Lean Into Discomfort When Talking About Race”, a 10-min article from Tonya Mosley. Then, explore the new web portal Talking About Race from The National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Minnesota Autism Resource Portal
Special educators are often called upon to help families be aware of and navigate services and supports for their child across environments. If you are new to working with students with ASD, you likely need to learn this information yourself. Here in Minnesota we have the Autism Resource Portal that provides guidance to families and service providers. In the portal, the Pathway to Services and Support for ASD document is a great place to start understanding the services available as well as differences in educational eligibility versus medical diagnosis.
Autism Resource Portal: https://mn.gov/autism/
AFIRM Modules
Access this free resource here: https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu/afirm-modules