Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Presented by:Sue Mackey-Andrews and
Kristen KennenEDC, Inc.
March 2010
The Family/Home Visitor Partnership: Supporting Children’s Learning and Development
through the Home-based Option
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
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WELCOME TO AN EDC TTA WEBINAR
Kristen KennenInfant/Toddler Specialist
CT TTA Center
Susan Mackey AndrewsInfant/Toddler Specialist
ME TTA Center
Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Intended Audience
• Home Visitors• Home-based Program Supervisors• Content Area Managers
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Outcomes
Participants will:• Learn the unique principles that undergird home
visiting and its focus on supporting children’s learning and development
• Reflect on their practices related to the child development services
• Review relevant Head Start Program Performance Standards
• Understand how to make learning fun and interactive, letting the parent take the lead
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Head Start Program Performance Standards
1306.3(j)
Home-based program option means Head Start services provided to children, primarily in their home, through intensive work with the child’s parents and family as the primary factor in the growth and development of the child
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Head Start Program Performance Standards
1304.40 (e) (1)
Parent involvement in child development and education
Grantee and delegate agencies must provide opportunities to include parents in the development of the program’s curriculum and approach to child development and education
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
• On a more global level, this means that families are involved with creating or evaluating curriculum that is used in the program. They do this through various committees.
• On a more individualized level, this means that families are asked to share their knowledge of their child, her interests, etc. and choose appropriate goals and experiences for her.
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
• Keep in mind that for infants and toddlers, these experiences are often embedded within the daily routines of feeding, diapering, bathing, sleeping, etc.
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Head Start Definition of Curriculum
• Goals for children’s development & learning
• Experiences through which they will achieve those goals
• Roles for staff and parents to help children achieve these goals
• Materials needed to support the implementation of a curriculum
• Curriculum in HS is also based on the Program Performance Standards and Sound Child Development Principles
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
“Home visiting can be unpredictable,
messy, difficult work.”
Carol S. KlassThe Home Visitor’s Guidebook -
Promoting Optimal Parent & Child Development3rd Edition; Introduction page xxvii
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Guiding Principles
• Infant and child development, as well as parenting development, occurs within and through relationships
• All relationships involve mutuality – we term this reciprocity or the parallel process
• Young children develop in a holistic manner
• Development becomes increasingly complex and is not linear … qualitative changes in development occur over time
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Guiding Principles continued
• The social network of the family and child are critically important to the development of both. The Home Visitor understands the family’s formal and informal networks and includes these in planning effective strategies and in cultivating family supports.
• Understanding adult learning styles and theory assists the Home Visitor to organize and individualize their services with families.
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
The very highest of honors -to be invited into someone’s
home and to share in the intimacy of the
parent/child relationship
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
• Trust in parents, be hopeful, and communicate your belief in impossibilities
• Work towards a mutual understanding with the family about purpose, goals and objectives
• Hear and represent all voices within a family, not just the baby’s voice
• Think of your knowledge about a particular family as a hypothesis – not the truth
Creating an Interpersonal Centerbased on the work of Jeree Pawl
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Interpersonal Center continued
• Maintain an appropriate role and adhere to boundaries, but be comfortable and flexible
• Recognize your own knowledge, beliefs, and biases, while remaining respectful of any differences
• Practice proactive inclusive interaction: the capacity to continue to embrace and hold all of those with whom we are involved together at a particular time
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Home-based Program Option:Key Components
ParentChild
Home Visitor Relationships are a
powerful tool for effective service
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
What to Expect During a Home Visit
• Parent-Home Visitor review plans• Parent(s) carries out the experience• Parent-Child-Home Visitor engage in
meaningful experiences & incorporate early literacy activities
• Parent-Home Visitor share information and plan follow-up activities for socialization and home visiting
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Group Socialization Services
• Offer two socializations per month• Link socialization to home visits• Foster parent-child relationship and interaction• Encourage parents to share challenges and joys
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
State Group Discussion
How do infants, toddlers and preschoolers learn within the home environment?
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
State Caucus Debriefing
Each state to provide 1-2 key points that theyidentified together
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Children Learn at Home Through
• Everyday routines such as feeding, diapering, settling in to naps/bedtime
• Everyday home experiences such as sorting laundry, feeding the family pet, or preparing a meal
• Everyday family experiences outside the home such as trips to the grocery store or laundromat
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Learning at Home
• A family’s culture and values influence what a child will learn
• Children learn different things from different family members (i.e. having siblings vs being an only child)
• Parents’ understanding of child development and early learning impacts what they “teach” their child
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
The Intersection of Home Visiting and Learning in the Home
Let’s reflect
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
We will examine several statements and see whether we agree or disagree with them. The responses are not necessarily right or wrong; the purpose is to generate discussion.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral or Unsure Disagree Strongly
Disagree
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Most low income parents are too overwhelmed with issues related to poverty to focus on their children’s needs
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral or Unsure Disagree Strongly
Disagree
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
It is important to bring in appropriate early learning materials such as puzzles, blocks, crayons, art materials on each home visit
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral or Unsure Disagree Strongly
Disagree
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
For the preschooler, home visitors should help parents understand the importance of letter recognition
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral or Unsure Disagree Strongly
Disagree
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
If you have planned to talk about reaching and grasping for toys with the family of an infant, you should stick to that plan even if mom tells you upon arrival that she is worried about her electricity being turned off for lack of payment
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral or Unsure Disagree Strongly
Disagree
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Themes in Our Discussions
• Strength based approach• Cultural and family diversity• Individual needs of each child/family• Individual family’s perspective• Flexibility • Others?
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Getting Families Involved in Observing Their Child
Home visitors can do this:
• By asking questions “Have you been noticing any changes in her ability to feed herself?”
• By commenting on your own observations and asking families about their observations “I saw her reach for that toy and then roll over just now. Have you been seeing that lately, too?”
• Through the use of tools -such as the ASQ (Ages and Stages Questionnaire)
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Helping Families to Consider Their Child’s Next Step in Development
Home Visitors can do this by: • Asking questions “What do you think he’ll be
doing next in this area?”• Using parenting education materials relevant
for the child’s age/development (i.e. -developmental milestones, early learning guidelines)
• Looking at their other child’s development (ensuring that you help families remember children develop at different rates)
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Helping Families Make Learning Fun and Interactive
• Establish a trusting relationship with the family
• Tune in to experiences that are naturally occurring in the home
• Use the child/family’s interest as a lead• Provide positive affirmations of what you see• Model through your own interactions and
provide self-talk
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Challenges in Working with Families Facing Risk Factors
• Chronic and sustained poverty
• Substance Affected Infants/Parental Substance Abuse
• Prematurity • Homelessness• Single parents• Pregnant and Parenting
Teens• Engaging Fathers
• Primary Parenting Fathers• Domestic Violence/Child
Abuse and Neglect• Non-English speaking
families• Parental low literacy• Infant/child health or
medical needs, or disabilities
• Limited parental abilities due to medical, mental health or disabilities
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Self Actualization
Needs(full potential)
Esteem Needs(self respect, personal worth,
autonomy)
Love and Belongingness Needs(love, friendship, comradeship)
Safety Needs(security, protection from harm)
Physiological Needs(food, sleep, stimulation, activity)
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Digging Deeper
We will break back into our virtual state rooms and brainstorm ways that families can encourage learning in daily routines and in natural settings. We will report back to the full group after 15 minutes.
State Routine Room of Home
Connecticut Feeding Kitchen
Maine Diapering/Toileting Bathroom
Massachusetts Sleeping Bedroom
Rhode Island Bathing Living/family room
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
State Caucus Debriefing
Each state to provide 1-2 key points that they identified together
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
In Closing …
• Reflect on what you learned from:– Our discussions– Powerpoint– References to the Head Start Performance
Standards• What will be your next steps?
– Seek out additional resources– Discussions with your team– Programmatic changes
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
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Resources available on ECLKCthe Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center
Home Visitors Handbook for the Head Start Home-Based Program Option. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start Bureau. 2004.
Supervisor’s Manual for the Head Start Home-Based Program Option. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start Bureau. 2004.
Parent’s Guide to the Home Based Program Option. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start Bureau. 2004.
Program Administrator’s Checklist for the Head Start Home-Based Program Option. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start Bureau. 2004.
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Resources available on ECLKC
Early Head Start Technical Assistance Paper No. 2: Early Head Start Home-Based Program Option: Recruiting, Training, and Retaining Qualified Staff.
SOLAR- Strengthening Operations for Learning and Results: Home Visitors Skill Profile.
Research to Practice. Program Models in Early Head Start. ACF, US Department of Health and Human Services. April 2006.
Child Development Services During Home Visits and Socializations in the Early Head Start Home-Based Program Option. ACYF-IM-HS-00-22
Early Head Start Tip Sheet No. 32: Home Visiting Play Materials and EHS/Infants and Toddlers.
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Resources available on ECLKC
Research to Practice Tip Sheet: Home Visiting in Early Head Start. ACF, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation.
Socializations for Infants, Toddlers and Their Families in the Home-Based Option. Excerpt from the Head Start Bulletin by Judith Jerald, Willa C. Siegel, and Sarah M. Semlak
Early Head Start Tip Sheet #26: How Do You Create an Effective Environment of Infant/Toddler Socializations in an EHS Home-Based Program?
What Makes Supervision Work: Recommendations from the Home Visiting Field. Home Visiting Forum
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Other resources
The Home Visitor’s Guidebook: Promoting Optimal Parent and Child Development (3rd Edition) . by Carol S. Klass, Brookes Publishing, 2008.
State-based Home Visiting: Strengthening Programs through State Leadership. by Kay Johnson, National Center for Children in Poverty. February 2009.
Home Visiting: Procedures for Helping Families: Second Edition. by Barbara Wasik and Donna M. Bryant. Sage Publications. 2001.
Home Visiting Programs to Improve Children’s Developmental and Health Outcomes. AAP Council on Community Pediatrics. February 2009.
Changing the Conversation About Home Visiting: Scaling Up With Quality. by Heather Weiss, Ed.D. and Lisa Klein, Ph.D. Harvard Family Research Project. December 2006.
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Other resources
Understanding Families: Approaches to Diversity, Disability and Risk. By: Marci J. Hansen and Eleanor W. Lynch, Brookes Publishing, 2003.
Getting Ready to Read: Helping Your Child Become a Confident Reader and Writer Starting From Birth by Rebecca Parlakian, Claire Lerner and Janice Im.Zero to Three Publication. 2008.
Home Visiting: Recent Program Evaluations – Analysis and Recommendations. The Future of Children Vol. 9 No. 1 – Spring/Summer 1999.
Born Learning is a public engagement campaign that helps parents, grandparents and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities.www.bornlearning.org
Healthy Minds: How the Brain, Body and Mind Grows from Birth to 3. Found at www.zerotothree.org .
The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning is a national resource center for disseminating research and evidence based practices to early childhood programs across the country. They have a section of information geared to parents. www.vanderbilt.edu/csefel
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Education Development Center, Inc.A member of the National Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Network
Thank YOU!
Thank you for spending todaywith us. The excitement anddedication you display tosupporting families and theirvery young children makes thework that we all do all the more valuable and rewarding.
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