Many people were shocked at the report on homeless families last week by the CBS show “60 Minutes.” Since 2007, there has been a nearly 30% increase in the number of homeless families, according to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, and this is affecting children everywhere. Early childhood educators have been noticing more homeless children in their care.

A safe, supportive, consistent school environment is one of the best ways to support homeless children. As an educator, you may be able to steer families to whatever help is available in your community: food and clothing drives, local churches, community agencies, etc.

You may find that homeless children are distracted in the classroom by the many fluctuations in their lives. Because studies show that children whose address has been in flux for more than a year are at high risk for developmental delays, teachers need to provide especially compassionate care to homeless children and their families.

Homeless children are far more likely to:

• Be worried that something bad will happen to their families

• Have asthma, stomach problems, and ear infections

• Experience depression and anxiety

• Have witnessed domestic violence

• Go into foster care or otherwise be seperated from other family members

Reassure the child and family that a stable learning environment can be maintained. Your consistent efforts can make a great difference.

References:

More Strategies for Educating Everybody's Children, edited by Robert W. Cole. Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, Alexandria, VA

Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education: Building a Foundation, by Sue Bredekamp. Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

National Center on Family Homelessness (http://www.familyhomelessness.org/)

The Homelessness Resource Center of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (http://www.homeless.samhsa.gov/)