Early Childhood Special Education and Assistive Technology Blog

By: Carrie Portrie, EC-SEAT Project Coordinator in collaboration with Sophia Fowler, early supports and services provider and Jessica Heald, elementary special educator as part of a workshop presented to Early Head Start childcare partnership teachers. Many adults working and caring for young children have access to tablets with built-in cameras that can easily record infant and toddler learning. Using digital tools for observation and documentation can provide creative means for practitioners and families to reflect on infant and toddler growth. Below are tools to create social stories and learning stories on a tablet. Social stories are focused on targeted behaviors for specific interventions. Learning stories originate from New Zealand and are constructed in the oral story tradition or like a picture book illustrating a child’s observed explorations or interactions with peers and the environment. Below are resources and basic steps to begin creating these types of stories. ...

Summary and Notes written by: Carrie Portrie, M.Ed, EC-SEAT Project Coordinator On September 14th, 2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education released a policy statement on inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood programs. The executive summary begins by identifying three landmark celebrations this year: 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act 40th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 50th anniversary of Head Start and states: "All three efforts have been transformative in ensuring equal opportunity for all Americans. While tremendous progress has been made, the anniversaries of these laws are cause for reflection on the work that lies ahead" The joint policy notes a lag in inclusive opportunities for children as troubling and lists the following reasons: "Being meaningfully included as a member of society is the first step to equal opportu...

Each spring, the University of New Hampshire Department of Education offers graduate students studying early childhood education a class on socio-cultural perspectives on teaching and learning. Students participate in 50 hours of field experience enhancing their abilities to support diverse families. The course expands students' knowledge base by considering culture, community and family.  Personal reflections and exploration of several socio-cultural perspectives on development are applied during 25 hours of field experience at a local Early Head Start. Students engage with parents, infants and toddlers, and home visitors to build their professional capacities through field-based research. Currently, 8 students are paired with Early Head Start home visitors in Rochester and Dover, New Hampshire from February through May. Each student is participating in parent meetings, play time, meals and home visits. Charna Aversa is the Early Head Start/Community Collaboration partnership ma...