Native Wellbeing Part III

Week 2

May 26-June 1, 2024

Wellbeing in Children

Introduction to Topic

Wellbeing in Children

This week we will shift towards the wellbeing of the children in our care, although caring for them is at the center of all that we do in early education, sometimes that care can start to become just what we do on autopilot.

I hope that you will take the time this week to think about the children you work with everyday, and ask yourself: what child (ren) are close to your heart and why? What do you do to support their wellbeing? How do you talk about wellbeing in the presence of the child (ren)? What is the thing you love most about this child (ren)?

Valeria

Instructor's Notes

Read + Flip

Below, you will find an article from ZERO TO THREE, The National Center for Infant Early Childhood Mental Health titled Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health in American Indian and Alaskan Native Communities. Please take the time this week to read through the article and complete flip post this week sharing the following:

What are two thoughts or reflections about the article you'd like to share? What information is in this article that you already knew? What do you like about the article? What do you find challenging about the way the information is being presented?

And for a final prompt: What does child wellbeing look like to you (be as creative and imaginative as possible)

As I was thinking about child wellbeing I was reminded of an experience I had with my daughter last week at the dental office.

Safia is here during her dental exams, x-rays, and all the poking and probing but still able to engage in imaginative play!

To me, as a parent there is nothing more fun then watching your child even in a seemingly stressful environment and situation be able to rely on themselves for comfort and balance in play as a practice of wellbeing.

hayu masi for watching!

Safia_Child Wellbeing

Reading & Reflecting

Protecting the Promise

Author: Timothy San Pedro Forward by Megan Bang

Protecting the Promise is the first book in the Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies Series edited by Django Paris.

It features a collection of short stories told in collaboration with five Native families that speaks to the everyday aspects of Indigenous educational resurgence rooted in the intergenerational learning that occurs between mothers and their children. The author defines resurgence as the ongoing actions that recenter Indigenous realities and knowledges, while simultaneously denouncing and healing from the damaging effects of settler colonial systems. By illuminating the potential of such educational resurgence, the book counters deficit paradigms too often placed on Indigenous communities. It also demonstrates the need to include Indigenous Knowledges within the curriculum for both in-school and out-of-school settings. These engaging narratives reframe Indigenous parents as critical and compassionate educators, cultural brokers, and storytellers who are central partners in the education of their children.

Week 2 Reading Assignment: Pages 21 - 37

IECMH in AI:AN Communities.pdf

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