Inclusion Matters welcomes our guest, Kamy Howard, MSW LCSW and author of our self-study course, The Impact of Parental Incarceration on Young Children. The development of this course was funded by Greater Twin Cities United Way and their 80x3 Initiative.  Kamy brings her 20 plus years of supporting young children and families to the discussion of the systemic issues related to this topic, the emotional and developmental impact of parental incarceration on young children, the trauma and developmental effects of this experience on children and families and shares key strategies for building a safe and secure environment so that children can thrive. 

🌟Register for the FREE self-study course today!

• The Impact of Parental Incarceration on Young Children

Priscilla Weigel welcomes Leo Howard III, Program Officer for the 80x3 Initiative at Greater Twin Cities United Way for an engaging conversation about supporting families. Leo shares his own experiences working with many different families, the work of 80x3, and ways to engage to build trust and partner in relationship for effective support. This podcast is part of our ongoing work with GTCUW 80x3.  

Looking for more information? Explore these links:

• https://www.gtcuw.org/stories-and-news/voices-for-change-how-united-way-is-making-a-difference-in-minnesota/
   

• https://www.gtcuw.org/stories-and-news/great-start-early-learning-scholarships/
   

• 80x3 | Resilient from the Start

🌟To learn about FREE self-study courses, please visit the 80x3 Page on the CICC Website

En este episodio del podcast CICC Inclusion Matters, la presentadora Karina Elze y la maestra de preescolar Susana Villegas profundizan en el tema esencial de la comunicación entre los educadores familiares, especialmente en las comunidades de habla hispana. A través de historias reales, consejos prácticos y ejercicios de juego de roles, exploran cómo los educadores de la primera infancia pueden generar confianza, comunicarse con claridad y fomentar un sentido de comunidad con las familias. Ya sea maestro, propietario de un centro o administrador, encontrará información valiosa sobre cómo superar las barreras del idioma, crear un diálogo abierto y utilizar una comunicación respetuosa y sincera para apoyar la comunicación entre padres y maestros.

In this episode of the CICC Inclusion Matters podcast, hosts Karina Elze and preschool teacher Susana Villegas dive into the essential topic of family-educator communication, especially in Spanish-speaking communities. Through real stories, practical tips, and role-playing exercises, they explore how early childhood educators can build confidence, communicate with clarity, and foster a sense of community with families. Whether you're a teacher, center owner, or administrator, you'll find valuable insights on overcoming language barriers, creating open dialogue, and using respectful, heartfelt communication to support parent-teacher communication.

Sarah Hawley RN, BSN, PHN of Minnesota Child Care Health Consultants joins us again to discuss safety in child care, this time related to summer outdoor play.  We discuss safety in the sun, bug bites and ticks, skinned knees, and ways to prepare your setting and the children in your care for the safest summer outdoors. 

Inclusion Matters hosts a conversation with our own CICC Program Manager, Kellee Nelson and we explore nature play.  Kellee highlights the health and educational benefits of playing in the mud, offering young children in our care the important experience of being outside in nature, being curious, getting messy, and having fun!

Inclusion Matters welcomes back Michele Fallon, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant.  We discuss the important stage of toddlerhood, ages 1-3 years, and how we as professionals and parents of toddlers can support their growth and learning. 

Cory Woosley from Minneapolis College joins us again to highlight key information about inclusion.  Our focus during this conversation is on the ways we as those caring for and teaching young children can help them build positive friendships.  We discuss the importance of friendships and the ways we can set up the environment to support quality play connections for children with special needs. 

Be sure to check out our NEW Self-Study on this important topic: 

• Positive Friendship Connections For Children With Special Needs

Longtime CICC partner and colleague Cory Woosley of Minneapolis College joins us for an important conversation about navigating the relationships of siblings when one has a diagnosis of a special need.  Cory shares her perspective as a parent of a child with a disability and how her family traversed this path.  We discuss the idea of Glass Children, Parentification, and ways to support healthy overall development of the sibling who may have some unique needs and behaviors that get overlooked. 

Be sure to check out our NEW Self-Study on this important topic: 

• Navigating Sibling Dynamics-The Impact of Special Needs on Family Relationships