strategies for supporting young children experiencing homelessness in the early childhood classroom
TRANSCRIPT
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
• 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
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
What does it mean?
It’s not always what it looks like
Affects of homelessness on Early Childhood Development
Physical
Social Emotional
Cognitive
Language
Brain MapZero to Three
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
Toxic Stress = Trauma
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• Hyper-arousal• Withdrawn or avoidant behavior
Not all children are equally affected by trauma
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…
Challenges
• Gaps in Services and Coordination
• Services for At-Risk Children
• Lack of Resources devoted to Social Emotional Learning
• Lack of Support for Families
“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.
Make “learning” visible
Seven Lessons from Our Experience
Make My World Safe
Help Me Trust
Let Me Help
Make My World
Predictable
Give Me Choices
It’s Not My Fault
I Am Good
Opportunities
• Trauma – Informed Settings
• Resiliency and Protective Factors
• Family and Community Engagement Opportunities
• Health Care Opportunities
Promoting Social Emotional Competence
Creating Supportive
Environments
Building Positive Relationships
Social Emotional Teaching Strategies
Individualized Intensive
Interventions
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.
How do we foster resiliency?
Integral
Interrelated
Components
• Competence• Confidence
• Connection• Character
• Contribution• Coping • Control
Responding to Impacts; Three Levels of Change
• Child level
• Program-wide level
• Community or System level
Responding to Impacts; Tools for Change
• Environment – Organized, Safe & Comforting, Predictable, Consistent
• People – Trusting, Consistent, Encouraging
• Program – Policies & Practices that support differences
Strategy #1Foster Healing Relationships
• Create opportunities for long term relationships
• Individualize interactions with children
• Help children make friends
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
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
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
Lesson Resiliency Environment People Program
I am Good Character
Make My World Predictable
Control Post Visual Expectations
Staff use common language
Transition process
Let Me Help Contribution
Give Me Choices
Competence
Build Trust Connection
It’s Not My Fault
Contribution
Make My World Safe
Coping
“Be the Change You Wish To See”
Mahatma Gandhi
Training Conclusion and Questions
For Additional Training and Professional
Development Opportunities contact:
Horizons for Homeless Children617-553-5437
Andrea T. UrbanoSenior Director, Training and Professional