Topic outline

  • General

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    This self-paced learning opportunity consists of four recorded webinars in partnership with Puentes Culturales. Suggested readings are also provided.

    Beyond Words
    Part 1: Effective Collaboration with Families, Interpreters, Translators, and Special Educators
    Part 2: Teaming & Collaboration with Cultural Mediators and Cultural Liaisons

    Beyond Words: Benefits of Bilingualism

    Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching in Preschool

  • Beyond Words Part 1: Effective Collaboration with Families, Interpreters, Translators and Special Educators

    This is the first part in a two part series of webinars that provide information on improving practices when collaborating with interpreters and translators during the special education process.

    Learning Outcomes

    1. Understand the importance and relevance of specific roles and effective use of interpreters, translators and cultural mediator/parent liaisons with culturally and linguistically diverse families in the Child Find process.
    2. Apply key strategies that contribute to successful engagement of culturally and linguistically diverse families in each stage of the process and improve the reliability and validity of assessment outcomes.
    3. Utilize information to prepare both interpreters and team members to enhance team function and knowledge of evidence based culturally responsive practices through team building activities and experiences. 

    Self Assessment Tool

    Start with a self assessment prior to viewing the Self-Paced Module
    Cultural Competency Self-Reflection Tool


  • Beyond Words Part 2: Teaming & Collaboration with Cultural Mediators and Cultural Liaisons ~ Grow Your Own!

    This webinar invites participation and collaboration by reviewing information and resources about culture and linguistically diverse families. During the webinar, explore how the expansion of interpreters’ roles can build a cadre of cultural mediators and parent-school liaisons that support the quality of Child Find assessments and better meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse families.

    Prior to viewing this webinar, please be sure to complete Beyond Words Part 1.

    Learning Outcomes

    1. Understand the importance and relevance of the specific role and effective use of cultural mediators/cultural liaisons with culturally and linguistically diverse families in the Child Find process.
    2. Apply key knowledge and strategies that contribute to successful integration and collaboration of the cultural mediator/cultural liaison as a key member of the team to enhance teaming and promote the development of high quality Individual Education Programs (IEPs).
    3. Utilize information to create an action plan to address how cultural mediators/cultural liaisons and other team members can enhance teaming processes and use evidence-based culturally responsive practices through shared activities and experiences. 

    Division of Early Childhood Recommended Practices

    A5: Practitioners conduct assessments in the child’s dominant language and in additional languages if the child is learning more than one language.
    A6: Practitioners use a variety of methods, including observation and interviews, to gather assessment information from multiple sources, including the child’s family and other significant individuals in the child’s life.
    A11: Practitioners report assessment results so that they are understandable and useful to families.
    F1: Practitioners build trusting and respectful partnerships with the family through interactions that are sensitive and responsive to cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic diversity.


  • The Benefits of Bilingualism

    Susan More and Clara Perez-Mendez link the foundations in neuroscience to the types, patterns, and processes of learning more than one language and consider the benefits and impacts that can occur when children are learning more than one language.

  • Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching of Young Dual Language Learners

    A Grand Tour of Resources, Supports & Strategies for Young Dual Language Learners (DLLs) will include:

    • The Gift of First Language! Embracing a “growth” mindset
    • Information and resources for families of young DLLS in supporting their young learners of more than one language
    • Current research and resources for teaching young DLLs in ECE programs 
    • Discussion of potential for all children including those identified with language challenges
    • Key principles of learning languages with implications for implementation of evidence-based practices at home, in school, and in community
    • Video snippets and photos of effective strategies to encourage learning of more than one language through embracing “translanguaging practices,” interactive storybook reading, play, music, art, and culturally responsive activities that promote young children’s development and learning 
    • Resources & references to continue your tour.