Division for Early Childhood 2024 Conference

Discover impactful collaboration between EWU pre-service teachers and Guatemala's 'Hope for Literacy.' Using 'The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything,' they crafted culturally sensitive lessons, impacting 65 classrooms. Explore takeaways for global perspectives and engage in live demonstrations, gaining insights from firsthand experiences in Guatemala City.

There is little research on inclusion within the Montessori classroom. In a recent survey of Montessori Schools, 8.5% of EC students enrolled were identified with disability, of which 65% had an IEP. This poster will use DEC’s Recommended Practices to discuss how students with moderate to high support needs are fully included EC Montessori classrooms.

During this session, participants will discuss a family-centered, early intervention assessment process while engaging in effective teaming and collaboration. Practitioners will walk away with strategies that will assist with creating improved children and family outcomes.

This session will discuss a variety of interventions that enable children with visual impairments to be effectively included in early childhood settings. Topics to be discussed include strategies that will increase social opportunities, peer-mediated interventions, and simple modifications that can make social activities more engaging for children with visual impairments.

This session will explore how the DEC Recommended Practices can be used to support access and meaningful participation for children with disabilities and their families. The Recommended Practices and associated ECTA Practice Improvement tools range from teaming and collaborating on a child’s IFSP/IEP team, to ways in which a family can be involved in their child’s assessment. This session will provide a more in-depth understanding of the Recommended Practices and how they can be used to support both families and practitioners. Participants will have opportunities to try out the practices individually and within small groups using realistic scenarios. There will be opportunities for participants to engage with Ambassadors of the Recommended Practices and learn ways in which they have used practices in a variety of settings with diverse audiences. Participants will be supported in examining how they can use the practices and tools to support child access and meaningful participation within everyday activities and routines, alongside peers. They will leave this session with ideas and free online resources to support children.

This 60 minute session will address the reduction of implicit bas, using culturally responsive practices to address racial and other biases to reduce biased actions, disproportionality, especially in regards to suspensions and expulsions. Participants will walk away with concrete skills that they can use immediately to address biases in their practice settings.

Would you like to improve your efforts and skills in the early identification of developmental concerns in young children? CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign has developed FREE materials to share with families and providers. Join us to learn new skills about how to integrate these tools into existing EC systems. Leave with an action plan and a materials toolkit.

Service coordinators can use caregiver coaching to help families think about the outcomes that best match their family’s culture, priorities, and values and make informed decisions about the amount and frequency of services. More isn’t always better. Gain a parent perspective on receiving coaching support to advocate for what they need during the IFSP process.

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EI practitioners often visit children with IFSPs in early care classrooms. Collaboration is critical to inclusive early childhood classroom practices and optimal learning opportunities for all young children. This session provides classroom professionals with concrete expectations to ensure evidence-based support is provided by visiting early intervention practitioners.

Explore the personal journey of a caregiver and provider, navigating ruptures and repairs shaped by their different racial identities. They will reflect upon the influence of historical racism on their individual stances and actions. Gain valuable insights into dismantling discrimination through self-awareness and proactive behavior in this enlightening discussion.

This session focuses on an Itinerant Coaching Model designed to meet the specific needs of early
childhood special education (ECSE) itinerant practitioners within school districts. Attendees of this
session will gain access to the nuts and bolts of a state-wide itinerant training and be able to identify
the benefits of tiered coaching for ESCE itinerant practitioners.