Fall 2008

S.M.A.R.T. Early Childhood Update

We continue to get calls from directors of early childhood settings asking what we are doing to get the younger child ready to learn before entering school.  One recent call from a Head Start director asked about the birth to 3-year old set, since they are needing to expel children already for behavior issues.  That is a sad situation for everyone, the teacher, the child and the family.

We know that S.M.A.R.T. addresses behavior issues and most S.M.A.R.T. Elementary Principals report that is one of THE most important differences they see in S.M.A.R.T. children.
Now in the 4th of a 5 year pilot study, S.M.A.R.T. Early Childhood is showing similar results, with teachers commenting that children are better able to attend and behavior issues are reduced.  And we all know that learning becomes easier for everyone, both the individual child and the entire classroom, when that’s the case,.

As the coordinator of S.M.A.R.T.- EC, Cheryl Smythe oversees 24 Head Start sites from ACCAP in the Anoka /Washington County metro area and MAHUBE, (Mahnomen, Hubbard and Becker counties) in the northwest region of the state. Through the continued participation of these terrific Head Start teachers and administrators, who continue to be open and honest with what works, the new S.M.A.R.T. - EC model is nearing completion.  Cheryl and Leslie Giese continue to train and mentor the pilot study teachers this year and are working to complete all aspects of the new model to make them ready for all early childhood teachers and children to benefit.

We have seen many of you at our S.M.A.R.T. - EC presentations at conferences around the state and region.  Please be sure to keep us posted on other opportunities you are aware of to help us get out the word out on S.M.A.R.T. EC!