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Presented by Wendy SimmonsMany of us talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). However, these terms can mean different things to different people, often leading to misunderstandings. During this session, participants will develop a shared understanding of DEI, approaches to implementation across roles in an early childhood context, and benefits to children.
Choice of 5 sessions
Dr. Simmons is a licensed psychologist with more than 30 years of experience working with children and families. A former elementary school teacher, she is currently the Minnesota Whole Family Systems Initiative Project Director at the Build Initiative. She is also a member of the Expert Advisory Panel for the University of Connecticut’s Pre-K to 3 Leadership Program; an Adjunct Professor in the Early Childhood Department at Gateway Community College; a member of the Board of Trustees at Hopkins School in New Haven and the Board of the Montessori in Public Policy Initiative. Most recently, she was the inaugural Executive Director of New Haven Children’s Ideal Learning District (NH ChILD). She has engaged with children and their families throughout her career through teaching, direct clinical service, consultation, program development, and research in educational and clinical settings. She believes that all children deserve to have the opportunity to have multiple pathways toward success. She is interested in developing and implementing programs for children from various backgrounds experiencing social, behavioral, and academic challenges, particularly for children from birth through five. She has worked to provide support and remove barriers to access in the various contexts in which children thrive, including but not limited to family, care and education, health, and neighborhood settings.
Registration for From Sandbox to Society: Using Play to Teach Diversity and Inclusion in Early ChildhoodHosted by Greater New Haven Region Chapter of CTAEYC on May 4, 2024 at Gateway Community College.
S1. A -Purple Polka Dot Dress - Examining Parent & Cultural Perspective, Gender Norms and Dramatic Play
Presented by Georgia Goldburn. Parents and culture are crucial in shaping children's understanding of gender norms. The intersection and interconnected nature of parent and cultural perspectives, gender norms, and dramatic play are essential for the Early Childhood educator to consider as ECE classrooms become increasingly diverse. This workshop examines ways to support parents, integrate cultural perspectives, and challenge gender norms through dramatic play in order to raise children who are confident, empathetic, and respectful of diversity and create a more inclusive and equitable society for future generations.
S1.B -Beyond Boundaries: Connecting Youth Development and Nature Play
Presented by Gamaliel Moses.In this workshop we will explore how to take young people outside effectively and the importance of intentionally creating spaces to facilitate nature play. Participants will learn about hands-on activities including songs and games to use with young people. We will explore how to use nature to develop social emotional skills as well as the significance of connecting to nature at a very young age.
S1.C -Dream to Duty
Presented by Stella Okparanta and Rossmery Curbelo.(includes tour of the Montessori-based classroom)Using Montessori’s five areas, we will move from “Dream to Duty” …Dreams give our children sense of purpose. When we allow their dreams to be anchored in divers culture, and clear vision also driven by their interest they will be motivated to work harder and make those dreams a reality.
S1.D -"Playful Exploration: Promoting Freedom in Our Toddler and Preschool Classrooms"
Presented by Jennifer Leake and Annmarie Amendola(includes tour of the new toddler classroom and the Reggio-inspired preschool classroom)Authentic play is child-led with hopes to engage the child's attention. It is based on children's experiences. Authentic play may occur solo or in parallel play, and it is not directed, dictated, regulated, formatted, or structured by teachers. The thought is to have children explore different materials and areas of the classroom.
S1.E -Effectively Integrating Diversity Into Literacy, Play And Learning Experiences
Presented by Kashonda Lawrence, LULAC.This dynamic workshop will include Story Circles, Cultural Art Projects, Role-Playing Scenarios, Music and Dance, Story Telling Discussions and more!
S2.A - Mommies, Mermaids, and Boy Colors: Supporting Gender Exploration Through Play
Presented by Lauren Lodato and Katelyn Owens.In addition to building participants’ professional and personal capacities to support gender exploration for all children, participants and facilitators work together to envision our individual role in creating systems-level solutions to the urgent need for gender transformative education and gender equity.
S2.B - The Emergent Curriculum: Misconceptions; Basic Tools and Approaches; Exploring What It Means To Be Human; Learning To Love The World In All Its Diversity and Interconnectedness
Presented by Charlie Malone.This workshop will give beginning and experienced teachers an overview of what an emergent curriculum looks like and why it is fundamental in activating each child's natural desire to learn. By clearing away some of the basic misconceptions of the emergent curriculum we will be in a position to explore how we can use an emergent curriculum framework to organize our work with children. Then we will explore some powerful tools and perspectives that will allow the new teacher to get started and the more experienced teacher to refine their work, in terms of lesson plans, memorable learning experiences, and cultivating every child's critical and creative thinking abilities. Finally we will look at how the emergent curriculum is ideally suited to help students reengage with the natural world as well as foster cultural dignity and multicultural literacies. Along the way we will see how the emergent curriculum is best suited to allow each child to develop their full human potential and participate in the great interconnectedness of all things.
S2.C - The Heart Work of the Hard Work in Racial and Ethnic Diversity
Presented by Melanie Billings.During this presentation we will examine what diversity and inclusion can mean for children and colleagues in the field of early childhood education. We will then discover problems that can arise when bringing diverse children and staff together from the lack of a word that is often left out of diversity and inclusion which is belonging. How can we make all children feel like they have a sense of belonging in our class or school?
S2.D - "Diverse Colors, Infinite Creativity: Exploring Race and Culture through Emergent Curriculum and Open-Ended Art with Preschoolers"
Presented by Linda Alston and Stacey Empric.(Includes tour of Literacy Inspired Approach Classroom)We will discuss how we use emergent curriculum with CT ELDS as well as open-ended art activities to help children learn more about racial and ethnic diversity and linguistic diversity in our preschool classroom.
S2.E -“Empowering Early Educators in Multicultural Classrooms” "Empoderando a los educadores de la primera infancia en aulas multiculturales" This presentation will be given in Spanish/se dará en español.
Presented by Maria Nieto, Hamden Early LearningLearn different strategies to create an inclusive environment in the classroom. Explore dynamics on respect and acceptance in multicultural relationships and strategies to support our Spanish speaking children and families. Build a classroom, promoting equality, and respect for diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism.Conocer diferentes estrategias para crear un ambiente inclusivo en el aula. Explorar dinámicas sobre el respeto y la aceptación en las relaciones multiculturales y estrategias para apoyar a nuestros niños y familias de habla hispana. Construir un aula, promoviendo la igualdad y el respeto a la diversidad, la inclusión y la multiculturalidad.
Your donation helps support advocacy & professional development
for all early childhood educators in the state of Connecticut.
All donations are tax deductible (CTAEYC Tax ID: 06-1156469).
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