The First 1,000 Days
Across the globe, in places like Uganda and Dublin, mothers are being made aware that the 1,000 day period from the beginning of pregnancy to a child’s second birthday will, as midwife Susan Ejang says....
Language and literacy skills are fundamental building blocks for a child’s development, enabling effective communication, social interaction, and academic success throughout grade school and beyond. For young children with disabilities, however, traditional educational models may not be enough to support early communicative development. It is crucial to modify your approach to lesson plans and offer tools to better help children with disabilities thrive. In honor of Disability Pride Month, we’re exploring practical tips for both at-home and early childhood classroom environments, focusing on empowering young children with disabilities on their language and literacy journey.
Creating a supportive and inclusive environment for young children with disabilities is vital for their language and literacy development. The early childhood classroom, along with a nurturing home setting, can serve as a powerful foundation for their future academic and social success. With patience, understanding, and the implementation of evidence-based strategies, we can make a positive impact on the lives of these young learners and set them on a path of lifelong learning and growth.
This blog is based on guidance provided in the Essentials for Working with Young Children, Third Edition textbook. Some information has also been adapted using firsthand experience working with children with disabilities. To learn more information on this topic and other early childhood related best practices, we invite you to purchase the Essentials for Working with Young Children textbook. We also encourage you to subscribe to our monthly CounciLINK newsletter and follow the Council for Professional Recognition on social media (Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, LinkedIN, and TikTok) for the latest ECE news, including articles and videos on trending topics.
Across the globe, in places like Uganda and Dublin, mothers are being made aware that the 1,000 day period from the beginning of pregnancy to a child’s second birthday will, as midwife Susan Ejang says....
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Chief Operations Officer
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Chief Financial Officer
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
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