Here you will find a variety of tools and resources designed to support you and the programs you provide.
Resources
Programs and Services
Alabama Early Childhood Education Conference
The Alabama Early Childhood Education Conference will be October 28-30 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Registration is OPEN.
Challenging Behaviors
This new technical assistance will be offered to classrooms statewide through an application process to receive strategies to prevent and intervene with challenging behaviors when they arise.
Workforce Development
Building a workforce that is diverse, professionalized, well-trained, and ready to meet the demand for high quality early care and education programs and services.
First Class Pre-K
Alabama First Class Pre-K offers 4-year-olds access to high-quality prekindergarten programs in their communities.
First Teacher Home Visiting for Educators
First Teacher Home Visiting is a voluntary, free home visiting program that provides support to caregivers of young children from prenatal to age 5.
Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health for Educators
The early years of a child’s life are critically important for learning and development, as the early years are among the most sensitive periods for brain development. Social and emotional development begins at birth with infants building attachments and trust with their caregivers, learning how to calm themselves, and later, recognizing emotions in themselves and others. Making friends. Waiting patiently. Caring for others. Resolving conflicts peacefully. Controlling emotions. Following the rules. These are all examples of social and emotional skills that children must learn gradually over time – with the support of caring adults.
Providers (childcare and education, health care, home visitors or others), play an essential role in the healthy social and emotional development of the children in their care. Parents trust professionals to provide compassionate care for their children. Part of this role is to ensure parents who have concerns about their child’s social and emotional development receive referrals to appropriate interventions.
Instead of viewing challenging behaviors simply as a disruption, providers should be aware that these behaviors often are the result of social and emotional factors and represent a teaching opportunity (for both the parent and the child), which can be effectively addressed within the home and through external support programs that are available in our community.
Learn More
Pre-K – 3rd Grade Early Learning
The Alabama Pre-K–3rd Grade Integrated Approach to Early Learning began in 2017 supporting 35 classrooms in 5 districts funded by Governor Ivey’s Strong Start Strong Finish initiative.
Professional Development
Alabama Reflective Coaching (ARC) is anchored from Rush and Shelden’s (2005) evidenced based definition that focuses on (a) identifying what we do as an adult learning strategy; (b) where the coach promotes the learner’s ability to reflect on his or her actions as a means to determine the effectiveness of an action or practice; and (c) develops a plan for refinement and use of the action in immediate and future situations.
