The following information has been shared from the December 2024 release of the Bright Start. Bright Kids. Bright Future. newsletter from the Pennsylvania Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Program. For more information about IECMHC Program, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.
Did You Know?
This Iceberg Model represents the range of behaviors exhibited by children and young people that stem from stress and fear. It helps adults consider the reasons for the behaviors so that they can sensitively and compassionately respond to underlying issues and promote a sense of safety and security. This helps children develop their ability to form trusting, supportive relationships. Click here to print the What we see, what is happening infographic.
Supporting Children in Foster Care
Changes in Children’s Behavior Before and after Parent Visits. Wonderful resource that lists before and after-visit symptoms to expect from foster children. This includes easy-to-read bullet points that detail support strategies and when to seek professional help.
Safe and Sound: Responding to the Experiences of Children Adopted or in Foster Care: A Guide for Early Education and Child Care Providers. This article is an in-depth guide to help early childhood educators develop skills to help adoptive and foster families. It includes guidance for children with trauma history per age group as well as physiological effects on the brain.
Safe and Sound: Responding to the Experiences of Children Adopted or in Foster Care: A Guide for Teachers, Counselors and Other Professional Working with School-Age Children an Youth. Another great article that details steps for successful experiences with children in adopted or foster care.
Supporting Children Who Have Been Adopted
What Teachers Should Know About Adoption. Great informational resource with a list of “Did you know?” facts and recommendations for creating an adoption-sensitive classroom. The tips are categorized in bullet points to make it easy to follow and implement.
Welcoming Families with Children Who Were Adopted. This article explores domestic and international adoption practices and their implications for teachers. It details adoption-friendly language that promotes a diverse learning environment.
Activities and Books for Families and the Classroom
Children’s Books About Adoption. This link provides a list of 25 children’s books to read aloud with family about adoption. The list includes picture books up to middle school grade levels!
Belonging: A Place for You – Sesame Workshop. This link shares a video that reinforces self-worth and value during challenging transitions in a new home. It especially lists affirmations that should be repeated to children who are experiencing these changes.
Adoption-friendly family trees. These printable templates explore alternative family trees to welcome kids from all families and celebrate their uniqueness. Each tree has a description of how to use it and the purpose behind the activity. A must-try!
Heart Pocket Sesame Street in Communities. This activity helps children remember that they carry memories in their hearts even when they are separated from loved ones. This printable PDF file is available to start right away!
Family Focus and Kinship Care
Pennsylvania KinConnector. This resource connects Kinship families with someone to contact for support. It includes brochures, Infographics, and explanations of Kinship care.
Foster Care- Sesame Workshop. Sesame Street can be a huge asset in a foster care journey. There are so many activities, videos, books, and articles that cover many common foster care topics. Take a look at the Together Poem: You’re Okay!
Trauma-Informed Parenting: Your Complete Guide. This guide offers insights into the effects of trauma on a child’s brain, how to heal, and what trauma-informed parenting looks like. It includes lists of positive parental interactions and expectations to build trusting relationships.
Talking about Adoption Part 1: Talking with 0-5 Year-Olds. This resource provides commonly asked questions and suggested answers. There is also a wonderful link to children’s books about adoption.
Trauma and Stress
Children with Traumatic Separation: Information for Professionals. This resource explores topics of traumatic separation and stress in children. It includes support for challenges explicitly designed for professionals.
Safe and Sound: Helping Children Who Have Experienced Trauma and Adversity. This series of resources is designed to help children who have experienced trauma and adversity by helping their parents, caregivers, and other adults in their lives understand how that early trauma may have affected them.
8 Things to Remember about Child Development. While the title suggests overall child development, these eight subsections appropriately target areas to remember as we work with children in foster, adoptive, and kinship care situations.