So far in this series, you’ve learned about the importance of two interventions associated with positive outcomes for children and families. In Part 1, we explored strategies that emphasize caregivers’ awareness and interpretation of their own actions. In Part 2, you learned how to help caregivers identify and use everyday learning opportunities to enhance child …
3 Interventions Every Early Interventionist Needs to Know – Part 3
3 Interventions Every Early Interventionist Needs to Know – Part 2
In Part 1 of this series, you learned about the first intervention, which focuses on the caregiver’s awareness and interpretation of his or her own actions. This first intervention emphasizes (to us and the caregiver) the power the caregiver has to positively impact the child’s development through interaction and action. In Part 2, we’re going …
3 Interventions Every Early Interventionist Needs to Know – Part 1
Okay, when you read that title, maybe you were curious, wondering if you were going to learn about three new discoveries that will make your job easier. Or, maybe you did a quick eyeroll, thinking “Here we go, the next big ‘thing’ that I need to do.” Either way, I’m glad you’re here. While I’m …
Self-Actualization: Hello, I am the Parent of a Child with Disabilities
We are at the end of our discussion on the levels of awareness of parent of young children with disabilities. We have explored the ostrich phase – a time when a parent has a lack of awareness about disabilities and may not recognize the characteristics of a disability displayed by his or her child. Additionally …
Oops…Guess What I Forgot?
Ever had one of those experiences where you realize that, while you think you did your best, you completely forgot what you were supposed to do? Ever had that experience on an intervention visit?
I had that experience recently…I was on a first visit with a family and was planning to set the stage for how …
DEC Recommended Practices – Interaction (Part 2)
In last week’s post, which was Part 1 in this series, I began trying to translate the DEC Recommended Practices for Interaction into practices we can use with caregivers. Rather than focusing on how we can implement these practices with children, we need to really think about how to help parents, child care providers, siblings, and …
DEC Recommended Practices – Interaction (Part 1)
When we whittle early intervention down to its core, I think it’s all about interactions. Interactions between the child and caregiver, first and foremost…interactions between the child and the environment (toys, sofa cushions, spoons and cups, buttons on the TV remote, the family dog)…interactions between the EI practitioner and caregiver that facilitate positive interactions with …
Cultural Humility…What Does It Mean to You?
Today, we completed our two-part Talks on Tuesdays webinar series entitled “Beyond Cultural Competence: How to Effectively Work with ALL Families.” This webinar series introduced what may be a new concept to early intervention practitioners. This concept, cultural humility, helps us think more deeply about culture and involves a sense of understanding that we do …
DEC Recommended Practices: Instruction
Jenni has two options on every intervention visit:
Option 1: She can work directly with the child while the child’s caregiver observes nearby, or
Option 2: She can provide instruction to both the caregiver and the child by facilitating their interactions with each other during naturally occurring, developmentally enhancing activities.
The first option is probably easier, because in …
“Walk the Walk” of Routines Based Services through Self-Reflection
How much do I value families’ everyday routines in being able to positively influence children’s development? So very much. Yet… how often do I find myself on a home visit either: 1) only talking with a family about their routines, or 2) engaging with the family in only the routine of play? Too often!
Values versus …