Strategies for Supporting Young Children Experiencing Homelessness in the Early Childhood Classroom.

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• Hyper-arousal• Withdrawn or avoidant behavior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

[email protected]