Early Childhood E-News

Welcome to Early Childhood e-News, a publication from PACER Center.

Here you'll find the latest information and resources for parents of young children with disabilities and the professionals who work with them.

Family Leadership Summit is April 12

"Parents as Leaders in Systems Change—Engaged, Energized, and Effective” is a one-day training that will help parents of children with disabilities or special health care needs enhance their advocacy, communication, and leadership skills. Parents of children from birth to age 7 are encouraged to attend. Stipends are available upon request. This dynamic and interactive training will also include skill-building sessions and networking opportunities. The event is Saturday, April 12, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at PACER Center. Registration deadline in March 20. Register now!

Share Your Views on Early Intervention Services—and Help Shape the Future

If you are a parent of a child receiving early intervention or early childhood special education services, you can share your views about those services and providers in a national survey. The goal is to help better prepare future service providers. The research is being conducted by the University of Connecticut’s Center to Inform Personnel Preparation Policy and Practice in Early Intervention and Preschool Education. Questions? Contact Mary Beth Bruder, principal investigator, at 860-679-1500. Surveys must be completed by June 1, 2008.

If your child is younger than age 3, you take the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=mW0HP1UBPaSJBbr_2fF3IuXA_3d_3d.

If your child is age 3 to 5, you take the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=B_2fT8z7P6kzTHPCDQpEn35w_3d_3d.

Promote Early Literacy Skills with these Free Materials—in English and Spanish

Babies start learning from the minute they are born—and it’s never too soon to help them gain the literacy skills they will need to read, write, speak, and listen to the best of their ability. You can download free activity kits to use with infants and children up to age 3 and make literacy education fun. The kits feature dozens of activities appropriate for children with disabilities and those who are developing typically. Each includes a description of the activity as well as hints for making the activity fun and developmentally appropriate. The materials—available in English and Spanish—focus on language development, sounds and rhythm skills, and general book and print awareness. The kits are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and are available from Washington Learning Systems at www.walearning.com/Guide.html.

Learn More about Early Literacy

Parents and professionals have a new resource for learning about early literacy. The Center for Early Literacy Learning (CELL) promotes evidence-based literacy learning practices for early intervention practitioners, parents, and others who care for children up to age 5 who have disabilities, developmental delays, or are at risk for poor outcomes. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs, CELL is a research-to-practice technical assistance center and a major initiative of the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at the Orelena Hawks Puckett Institute. Learn more at www.earlyliteracylearning.org.

Come to PACER’s Early Childhood Workshops

PACER Center offers a variety of helpful workshops around the state. Come learn new ways to help your young child with a disability. Register online at www.PACER.org/workshops/bygrant.asp#ec or call PACER at 952-838-9000 or 800-537-2237 (toll free in Greater Minnesota).

Everything You Need to Know When your Child Turns Three - see flyer
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires states to provide certain services to eligible children with disabilities. Children up to age 3 receive early childhood services under Part C of IDEA. Children ages 3 to 5 receive preschool services under Part B. This free workshop will help parents understand the important aspects of transitioning from Part C to Part B services.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Little Falls)

Tuesday, April 8, 2008
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Bemidji)

Thursday, April 24, 2008
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (PACER Center)

Early Childhood and Assistive Technology - see flyer
Children through age 5 with developmental delays or disabilities may be entitled to certain services and may be helped by assistive technology (AT). This free workshop will help parents and professionals understand the evaluation process used to determine if early intervention (birth to age 3) or early childhood special education (ages 3 to 5) services are appropriate. It will also address how AT—from low-tech devices such as crayon grips to high-tech tools such as computers—may benefit young children.

Thursday, March 27, 2008
6:30 to 9 p.m. (PACER Center)

How to Refer a Child to Early Childhood Services and What to Expect When They Get There - see flyer
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires states to provide certain services to eligible children with disabilities. Children up to age 3 receive early childhood services under Part C of IDEA. Children ages 3 to 5 receive preschool services under Part B. This free workshop will help parents and early childhood professionals understand how to refer a child to early childhood special education services and what to expect once the referral is made.

Monday, April 7, 2008
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Crookston)

"Nurtured Heart" Behavior Workshop
Children with high-intensity temperaments may challenge adults at home, in school, or in child-care settings. The unique “Nurtured Heart Approach,” based on the work of Howard Glasser, combines four effective strategies to help parents and caregivers transform the way they see such behavior from a challenge to a positive situation.

Thursday, May 1, 2008
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (PACER Center)

Families Are Important
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) recognizes the important role families play in their children's lives. Families know their child's strengths, interests, and frustrations, so they must be included in the evaluation process and in the development of outcomes for their child. This free workshop will help parents understand Minnesota’s early intervention system.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (PACER Center)

Communicating Your Child’s Strengths and Needs to Professionals
Your young child with disabilities also has a lot of abilities. If he or she is receiving early intervention services, it’s important that you let teachers, health care providers, and other professionals know both your child’s needs and strengths so they can best serve your child. This free workshop will help parents learn how to understand their child’s disability and share important information with others.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (PACER Center)