Parents (and allies!) of children 2 to 5: This course is for you

How do we make early learning more inclusive?

Are you interested in promoting inclusive early learning and disability equity? Are you a parent (or ally) of children ages 2 to 5? Consider applying to The Inclusion Academy, a program of The Arc of King County, funded by Best Starts for Kids. Classes start September 14 and run 9 weeks.

Our philosophy? Disability is a type of diversity, and whether children with disabilities or developmental delay reach their potential is linked to how society responds to and nurtures them. So let's change society.

• Apply here: https://forms.gle/ZgQec6Pnjc9h2deH6
• Applications are due August 25, 2019, for the September 2019 cohort.

 

ABOUT THE ACADEMY

The Arc of King County's Inclusion Academy is designed for parents (and allies!) of young children ages 2 to 5 navigating early learning. It is a Best Starts for Kids Innovation Fund pilot and a portfolio project of Frontiers of Innovation, the research and development arm of Harvard's Center on the Developing Child. The academy is grounded in the science of early childhood development and the research and legal basis for inclusive learning opportunities.

OUR GOAL: Give you the information you need to support and advocate for your child AND the skills to pursue disability activism.

CLASS TOPICS:

• The developing brain & the early learning landscape
• Disability is diversity
• Inclusion 101
• Setting a vision and mission
• Behavior is communication, and social and emotional learning
• Universal Design for Learning
• Your child’s rights
• How change happens
• Tactics to implement your vision

WHAT TO EXPECT: Nine classes taken with fellow parents (and allies!) of young children who have disabilities or developmental delays. Once you have the foundational knowledge you will be paired with a mentor to apply what you learned by designing and implementing a project to promote inclusive early learning or disability equity.

TIME COMMITMENT: Five to 8 months, depending on how long it takes to complete your project. Nine weeks will be spent in classes, the rest will be independent work.

COST: This class is free, thanks to a grant from King County's Best Starts for Kids. All participants will also get a small stipend to help offset costs for materials or travel related to their community projects.

Classes will launch September 14, 2019, and run weekly to November 9, 2019. The first and last classes are tentatively set to run 9 am to 2:30 pm; the other seven will run 9 am to noon. Child care will be available.

The location is not yet final but we are hoping to launch in Seattle.