Inclusion Matters

En este episodio del podcast CICC Inclusion Matters, la presentadora Karina Elze y la maestra de preescolar Susana Villegas profundizan en el tema esencial de la comunicación entre los educadores familiares, especialmente en las comunidades de habla hispana. A través de historias reales, consejos prácticos y ejercicios de juego de roles, exploran cómo los educadores de la primera infancia pueden generar confianza, comunicarse con claridad y fomentar un sentido de comunidad con las familias. Ya sea maestro, propietario de un centro o administrador, encontrará información valiosa sobre cómo superar las barreras del idioma, crear un diálogo abierto y utilizar una comunicación respetuosa y sincera para apoyar la comunicación entre padres y maestros.In this episode of the CICC Inclusion Matters podcast, hosts Karina Elze and preschool teacher Susana Villegas dive into the essential topic of family-educator communication, especially in Spanish-speaking communities. Through real stories, practical tips, and role-playing exercises, they explore how early childhood educators can build confidence, communicate with clarity, and foster a sense of community with families. Whether you're a teacher, center owner, or administrator, you'll find valuable insights on overcoming language barriers, creating open dialogue, and using respectful, heartfelt communication to support parent-teacher communication.

Sarah Hawley RN, BSN, PHN of Minnesota Child Care Health Consultants joins us again to discuss safety in child care, this time related to summer outdoor play.  We discuss safety in the sun, bug bites and ticks, skinned knees, and ways to prepare your setting and the children in your care for the safest summer outdoors.

Inclusion Matters hosts a conversation with our own CICC Program Manager, Kellee Nelson and we explore nature play.  Kellee highlights the health and educational benefits of playing in the mud, offering young children in our care the important experience of being outside in nature, being curious, getting messy, and having fun!

Michele Fallon, an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, dives deep into the fascinating world of toddlers aged 1-3 years. She discusses the incredible brain development during this stage and how to support both children and their parents through emotional challenges. The conversation highlights strategies for managing common toddler behaviors, such as biting, and emphasizes the importance of patience and understanding. Michelle also introduces the Circle of Security Parenting program and explores cultural influences on parenting approaches.

Cory Woosley from Minneapolis College joins us again to highlight key information about inclusion.  Our focus during this conversation is on the ways we as those caring for and teaching young children can help them build positive friendships.  We discuss the importance of friendships and the ways we can set up the environment to support quality play connections for children with special needs. *Coming Soon! A CICC Self-Study on this important topic! 

Longtime CICC partner and colleague Cory Woosley of Minneapolis College joins us for an important conversation about navigating the relationships of siblings when one has a diagnosis of a special need.  Cory shares her perspective as a parent of a child with a disability and how her family traversed this path.  We discuss the idea of Glass Children, Parentification, and ways to support healthy overall development of the sibling who may have some unique needs and behaviors that get overlooked. *Coming Soon! A CICC Self-Study on this important topic! 

Baro siyaabo kala duwan oo aad buugaag iyo sheekooyinka ula wadaagto ilmaha guriga iyo markay xanaanadda joogaan. Learn different ways to share books and stories with children at home and in childcare settings.

Baro muhiimada iyo faa'iidooyinka akhriska iyo la wadaagida sheekooyinka u leedahay carruurta. Learn the importance and advantages of reading and sharing stories with young kids. 

In this discussion, Sarah Hawley, a public health nurse and owner of Minnesota Child Care Health Consultants, dives into the pivotal role of early childhood experiences in brain development. She shares the crucial idea that 80% of a child's brain develops by age three. Listeners learn about the importance of nurturing relationships, responsive interactions, and emotional regulation. Sarah also emphasizes the value of human interaction over technology and previews an event promoting healthy media practices, ensuring children thrive in supportive environments.

In this insightful discussion, Sarah Hawley, RN, BSN, PHN, the owner of Minnesota Child Care Health Consultants and an experienced public health nurse, shares strategies for injury prevention in early childhood settings. She emphasizes the importance of creating safe environments and outlines key techniques to protect young children from common hazards, like burns and choking. The conversation also explores ways to prepare play areas for safety, offers staff training tips, and discusses the dynamics of multi-age childcare to ensure a secure space for all.