Inclusion Matters

Cindy McInroy, a seasoned speech-language therapist with over 35 years in early childhood language development, shares invaluable insights on toddler communication. She discusses the joy of learning to express needs and how caregivers can effectively nurture this growth. Cindy emphasizes the importance of patience and offers strategies for addressing late talking. She highlights modeling language and understanding children's unique identities as essential for enhancing communication skills. Listeners will also discover techniques for supporting kids with challenges, fostering a calm learning environment.

In this engaging conversation, Cindy McInroy, a seasoned speech-language therapist with over 35 years of experience, shares her insights on early language development. She emphasizes the critical role of caregivers in supporting infants' communication skills. Key topics include the importance of emotional cues, caregiver narration, and interactive reading. Cindy also discusses the stages of infants' speech development, from cooing to complex sounds, and the incredible ability of toddlers to understand multiple languages, setting the foundation for lifelong learning.

Help Me Connect from the MN Department of Health is celebrating three years of serving families in Minnesota. Listen as we reconnect with Shawn Holmes, the Help Me Connect Coordinator, as she highlights some of the new and exciting updates to this helpful site, including a provider referral system. Enhancements include access to electronic developmental and social-emotional screenings, an online chat function, and exploration of a toll-free number for families and providers to access navigation support. For more information: Help Me Connect: https://helpmeconnect.web.health.state.mn.us/HelpMeConnect/ Help Me Connect Newsletter: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNDCYF/bulletins/3af38f9

In this insightful conversation, Tracy Schreifels, Executive Director of the Ellison Center and licensed marriage and family therapist, explores the pandemic's impact on young children's development. She reveals how isolation has led to significant social-emotional delays and discusses the crucial role of play in helping children navigate their emotions. Tracy emphasizes the need for flexible caregiving approaches and highlights the contrasting experiences of families, showcasing the unexpected joys and connections that surfaced during lockdown.

Angela Clair, Director of Early Childhood Services at Wilder Child Development Center, joins Priscilla Weigel and Beth Menninga to share her center's story of rethinking their approach to expulsion with the goal of truly being inclusive.  How can we include parents and staff to shift our organizational thinking and practices in our responses to big behaviors so that our doors welcome and support all children to thrive in our early childhood programs?

Jacy Nylander, CICC Coach Lead, and Priscilla Weigel discuss creating safe, calm, clean, and fresh environments for infants and toddlers. They cover regular inspections, temperature regulation, maintaining optimal environmental conditions, and the importance of air quality and cleanliness in childcare settings.

Join Dr. Nicole Evans from Embracing Equity and Beth Menninga and Priscilla Weigel of CICC as they discuss the central role of equity in creating inclusive early childhood environments.  Dr. Evans presents a useful framework for taking action at three levels to promote equity in organizations. Examples are shared of how and where learning organizations identified needs and made changes aimed at creating more equity at the individual, cultural and systems levels. As we think about where to begin a focus on equity in early childhood environments, the group talks about ways to create strong family partnerships as a powerful first step

Brenda Lowe, a seasoned CICC Coach Lead, dives into vital safety checks in childcare settings. She shares essential tips for caregivers to create secure environments, focusing on simple routines that prioritize safety before children arrive. The chat explores how involving kids in safety practices fosters predictability. Brenda also emphasizes the need for caution with household pets and outlines safety measures for outdoor activities as warmer weather approaches. Discover practical insights to ensure child safety every day!

Dhacdadan, Bureeqo Dahir, Tababaraha CICC, iyo martida khaaska ah Marian Hassan ayaa wada hadlaya muhiimada ay leedahay samaynta joogtayn iyo jadwalyo goobta caruurnimoda hore.   In this episode, Bureeqo Dahir, CICC Coach, and special guest Marian Hassan discuss the importance of establishing routines and schedules in the early childhood setting.

Qaybtan, Bureeqo Dahir, Tababaraha CICC, iyo martida khaaska ah Marian Hassan ayaa ka wada hadlaya muhiimadda ay ciyaartu u leedahay carruurta yaryar. In this episode, Bureeqo Dahir, CICC Coach, and special guest Marian Hassan discuss the importance of play for young children.