Research clearly documents that personal, professional, and institutional racism and bias create inequitable learning environments for children of color (American Psychological Association, 2012; Weir, 2016). Starting as young as infancy and toddlerhood, children of color are at the highest risk for being expelled from early care and education programs and implicit bias has been identified as a likely source of such disparities. (Gilliam & Meek, 2006; Gilliam, Maupin, Reyes, et al., 2016).
This lesson provides a snapshot introduction to issues of equity, disparity, and racial bias in early care and education systems, and identifies what IECMH consultants can do to support more equitable learning environments in their work with children, families, and practitioners.
Please note: This module was adapted from a live webinar presented on January 30, 2020. There are group reflection exercises that we encourage you to follow along with us your own sheet of paper throughout the lesson.
Many consultants have provided mental health consultation in settings serving preschoolers. In this webinar we will explore the needed shifts in thinking and perspective when providing IECMHC in settings serving primarily infants and toddlers. Presenters and participants will explore differences in: relating to children; routines and transitions; high quality care; engaging families; curriculum; and the teachers’ sense of themselves as professionals.
Please note: This module was adapted from a live webinar presented on February 10th, 2020. There are group reflection exercises that we encourage you to follow along with your own sheet of paper throughout the lesson.
This webinar will highlight the family engagement framework developed by the Office of Head Start Center on Parent, Family and Community Engagement. The webinar will feature examples of how IECMH consultants can support enhanced family engagement in early care and education programs. Participants will be introduced to the on-line modules related to IECMHC and family engagement and will have opportunities to ask questions and explore challenges related to engaging families.