1 / 36

Welcome & Introductions

Strategies for Supporting Young Children Experiencing Homelessness in the Early Childhood Classroom. Welcome & Introductions. Presenter: Andrea Urbano Senior Director of Training & Professional Development, Horizons for Homeless Children Participants . Learning Outcomes.

roch
Download Presentation

Welcome & Introductions

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Strategies for Supporting Young Children Experiencing Homelessness in the Early Childhood Classroom

  2. Welcome & Introductions • Presenter: Andrea Urbano Senior Director of Training & Professional Development, Horizons for Homeless Children • Participants

  3. Learning Outcomes • Share applicable core knowledge on Child and Family Homelessness • Articulate the importance of fostering skills that support the social emotional development of each child • Understand how environments affect children’s behavior • Identify strategies that foster and support competence, connection, confidence, and control

  4. The National Picture • 1.6 million children are homeless (NCFH, 2010) • Families with children comprise 37% of the homeless population (HUD, 2011) • 84% of are headed by female… • Homeless children represent 22% of the entire homeless population(NCFH, 2011) • Within a single year, nearly 97% of all homeless children have moved at least once or more, and: • 25% witnessed violence • 22% separated from their families • 20% of homeless preschooler's have emotional problems

  5. What does it mean?

  6. It’s not always what it looks like

  7. Affects of homelessness on Early Childhood Development Social Emotional Language Physical Cognitive

  8. Brain MapZero to Three

  9. Affects of Homelessness on Young Brains • “Fight or flight” over engaged • Function of neural circuits effected • Less richly formed neural pathways • Sensitivity to future stress develops • Immune System • Insufficient energy for mastering skills • Consequent risks to child development

  10. Toxic Stress = Trauma

  11. Signs & Symptoms of a Traumatic Response in Children • Increased aggression • Difficulties with sleep • Increased separation anxiety preoccupation with the traumatic event; reenacting or re-playing aspects of the event • Hyper-arousal • Withdrawn or avoidant behavior

  12. Not all children are equally affected by trauma

  13. Action Planning:Identify Challenges Brainstorm the Statement: “We’d like to foster the development of positive strategies to respond to the needs of children and families experiencing homelessness but…

  14. Challenges • Gaps in Services and Coordination • Services for At-Risk Children • Lack of Resources devoted to Social Emotional Learning • Lack of Support for Families

  15. “Ordinary Magic”…. A. Masten Human beings have an innate capacity for resiliency because of adaptive abilities to make and maintain relationships, communicate and problem solve, and regulate behavior and affective states.

  16. Make “learning” visible

  17. Seven Lessons from Our Experience

  18. Opportunities • Trauma – Informed Settings • Resiliency and Protective Factors • Family and Community Engagement Opportunities • Health Care Opportunities

  19. Promoting Social Emotional Competence Individualized Intensive Interventions Social Emotional Teaching Strategies Creating Supportive Environments Building Positive Relationships

  20. What is Resiliency ? An ability to bounce back or recovery from adversity. A similar definition – It is the power or ability to return to the original form or position.

  21. How do we foster resiliency?

  22. Responding to Impacts; Three Levels of Change • Child level • Program-wide level • Community or System level

  23. Responding to Impacts; Tools for Change • Environment – Organized, Safe & Comforting, Predictable, Consistent • People – Trusting, Consistent, Encouraging • Program – Policies & Practices that support differences

  24. Strategy #1Foster Healing Relationships • Create opportunities for long term relationships • Individualize interactions with children • Help children make friends

  25. Strategy #2Create Safe Environments for Children • Design environments that “speak” children • Offer a range of appropriate toys and materials for all areas of development • Create opportunities for talking, listening and sharing

  26. Strategy #3Help during daily activities • Provide activities that foster mastery & coping skills • Use routines, rituals, rhythms and relaxation • Take advantage of opportunities in the day to build social emotional skills

  27. Strategy #4 Help Children Managing Challenging Behavior • Let children know what they can do • Catch children “being good” • Pick your fights • Give choices • Teach problem solving skills • Reconnect • Get family insight

  28. “Be the Change You Wish To See”Mahatma Gandhi

  29. Training Conclusion and Questions

  30. For Additional Training and Professional Development Opportunities contact: Horizons for Homeless Children 617-553-5437 Andrea T. Urbano Senior Director, Training and Professional Development aurbano@horizonschildren.org

More Related