Early Childhood Special Education and Assistive Technology Blog

By: Lori Vigeant, EC-SEAT Scholar, New Hampshire Early Childhood Special Educator I teach in an intensive special needs preschool classroom.   My students have a wide range of disabilities and abilities. There are typically developing students integrated into my classroom as well as Dual Language Learners (DLLs) with and without disabilities.   The students range in age from 3-5 years olds.   The materials and strategies that I use for students who are DLLs are also effective tools for all my students.   Also, the strategies and materials that I use with students who have special needs are effective tools for children who are DLLs    Because my students are so young, they are all English language learners and benefit from the teaching strategies and materials that are used in the classroom. Boardmaker – Boardmaker is a software program that I use to make visual supports for my students.   I am able to create schedules, communication boards an...

By: Carrie Portrie , EC-SEAT project coordinator As election day draws nearer, I find myself searching and wanting to know more about where candidates stand on early childhood issues and policies. Below is a short list of resources linking us to useful information for thinking about policy, advocacy, and practice. The Division for Early Childhood  (DEC) - website for policy and advocacy resources and the 2016 Election.   The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)  -  effective advocacy resources  and public policy.  The Administration for Children and Families Head Start Website -  list of child advocacy/children's issues in child development. Annie E. Casey Foundation  and Kids Count Data Center Zero to Three Advocacy Action Center  or Zero to Three Advocacy  and Find your elected officials PBS Newshour - Early Childhood Education  Education Week - Early Childhood  Child's World America...

Blogpost by: Carrie Portrie, M.Ed, EC-SEAT Project Coordinator The more I talk with other early childhood educators and the more I learn about using technology with some of our youngest children, I find myself coming back to the Colorado Department of Education Results Matter video library.   What strikes me about each video is the wealth of resources and practical suggestions. Wondering about documentation using Teaching Strategies (TS) Gold ? Want to know about recommended websites and apps that teachers are using with young children? This could be a great place to start. Also below are some other useful sites mentioned in the Results Matter video  Using Technology to Enhance Instruction and Family Engagement   (and some additional resources).  What are your favorites that you would recommend to others? How do you get inspired?  New England Aquarium - Live Stream NGAKids Art Zone - National Gallery of Art (you will need the Shockwave plug-in and do...