Responsive Relationships in the ECE Workforce: Improving Knowledge and Care for Young Children

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

Developmental outcomes of young children are influenced by responsive interactions with caregivers in early care and education (ECE; NICHD Early Child Care Research Network, 2002). Mirroring the importance of caregiver-child relationships is the trusting bond between a caregiver and a professional development (PD) coach. PD coaching is most effective when it is sustained, actively engages caregivers, and emphasizes respectful coach-caregiver relationships (Artman-Meeker et al., 2015; Dunst et al., 2015). Coaching strategies include building trusting relationships, goal setting, frequent feedback, self-reflection, and quality observations (IOM and NRC, 2015; Weinstock et al., 2012; Zaslow et al., 2010). Thus, the concept of “serve and return” is as appropriate for responsive relationships between coach and caregiver as it is between caregiver and child.
The presentations in this symposium offer three web-based approaches that build on evidence about supporting adult change through coaching relationships with caregivers serving infants and toddlers: (1) FIND, a video-based coaching program that identifies and strengthens positive interactions between caregivers and children; (2) the VLS Momentum pilot that offers caregivers a free, online, comprehensive foundational ECE training via trained coaches who observe/model practices and offer feedback; and (3) the We Grow Together PD system, which provides online PD resources and local trained coaches who help caregivers engage in high-quality interactions to support children’s development. For all these approaches, the coach-caregiver interactions provide a model for the caregiver-child interactions. A national expert on infant-toddler ECE will provide perspectives on both research and practice implications.

Sub Unit

• School Readiness/Childcare

Chair

• Louisa Banks Tarullo, Mathematica - Massachusetts

Discussant

• Rachel Chazan Cohen, University of Connecticut

Individual Presentations

• Impact of Short-Term Coaching Intervention Focused on Serve and Return Interactions - Presenting Author: Juliet Taylor, University of Washington; Non-Presenting Author: Gail Joseph, University of Washington; Non-Presenting Author: Robert Abbott, University of Washington; Non-Presenting Author: Janet Soderberg, University of Washington; Non-Presenting Author: Crista Scott, University of Washington; Non-Presenting Author: Roxanne Garzon, Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families

• Examining VLS Momentum: Pairing Online PD with Coaching to Prepare Teachers for their CDA - Presenting Author: Sarah Naomi Lang, Ohio State University; Non-Presenting Author: Rosalie Odean, Ohio State University; Non-Presenting Author: Erin Tebben, Ohio State University; Non-Presenting Author: Cynthia K. Buettner, Ohio State University

• Relationships in We Grow Together: A Professional Development System to Improve Caregiver-Child Interactions for Infants and Toddlers - Presenting Author: Shannon C Monahan, Mathematica Policy Research - New Jersey; Non-Presenting Author: Sally Atkins-Burnett, Mathematica; Non-Presenting Author: Louisa Banks Tarullo, Mathematica - Massachusetts; Non-Presenting Author: Ann Li, Mathematica Policy Research - Massachussetts