Bridging FYC

All About Child Care: What Parents Need to Know is a 20 minute video that provides an overview of what child care is like for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The video is intended to give parents or others who may be looking for child care an idea of what options are available, and what they should be on the lookout for in terms of finding high quality care for their infant, toddler, or preschooler.

Including footage from family, friend, and neighbor care; family child care; a child care center; and preschool settings as well as helpful advice from parents, this video covers the following topics:

• What is child care like?
  
• What should you look for when choosing child care?
  
  • infant and young toddler care
    
  • older toddler and preschool care
• Advice from parents

All About Child Care: What Parents Need to Know is available free, for educational use only through the following link: http://cehd.umn.edu/icd/media/childcare.html

This would be a valuable educational resource for parent educators to use with parents as they discuss making wise child care choices for their children.

Posted by Family Youth and Community Programs at 03:34 PM | Permalink

Both the Parent Education Licensure and Parent Education Certificate Programs offered through Family Education at the University of Minnesota include a core of 16-credits in parent education including:

• CI 5932 Introduction to Parent Education (1 credit)
• CI 5937 Parent-Child Interaction (3 credits)
• CI 5942 Everyday Experiences of Families (2 credits)
• CI 5943 Parent Learning and Development: Implications for Parent Education (2 credits)
• CI 5944 Parent Education Curriculum (2 credits)
• CI 5945 Teaching and Learning in Parent Education (2 credits)
• CI 5946 Assessment and Evaluation in Parent Education (2 credits)
• CI 5949 Student Teaching in Parent Education (2 credits)

For the past two years all of these courses have been available to students online except CI 5937 Parent-Child Interaction.

During the 2007-2008 academic year, Betty Cooke, Instructor, and Heather Dubbeldee, Graduate Assistant, in Family Education have been working with staff in Academic Technology Services (ATS) in the College of Education and Human Development to prepare the course for online delivery so that all parent education courses in Family Education are available online by the fall 2009 semester. Academic Technology Services staff provide technical and instructional design services to assist Betty and Heather in the conversion of the content of the course to online delivery. This is a course originally developed by Ruth Thomas, Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and on the Faculty in Family Education. In the course, students analyze and critique parent-child interaction theory and research, consider implications for parent-child relationships and parents’ and children’s development, and apply this course material to professional work with families.

As in the other online courses, students will participate in live online chat sessions and weekly asynchronous online discussions with their classmates and weekly reflections with their instructor. They read the latest research, view presentations by University of Minnesota faculty and noted experts in the field, and create and engage in professional practice education sessions reflecting course content in their communities.

Of particular note in the course is the extensive use of a wide variety of video, DVD, and movie scenes of parent-child interaction in various settings and at various stages throughout the life cycle which students can view on their computers on the course site. These visual scenes are very effective in bringing the often complex concepts addressed throughout the course to life and make lasting impressions on the students as they are learning these concepts.

Information about the Parent Education Licensure and Certification Programs is available at the following University of Minnesota website links:
http://cehd.umn.edu/CI/Programs/FYC/parent.html
http://cehd.umn.edu/students/Certificates/ParentEd.html

Posted by Heather Dubbeldee at 10:37 AM | Permalink

The Family Education faculty and students are pleased that Dr. Susan Walker joined the Family, Youth, and Community faculty in the fall and is completing her first year with us. The energy and enthusiasm that she shares with us have inspired us all; she has quickly become a respected and well-liked colleague and instructor.

Susan arrived in Minnesota last summer, having moved from the Washington, D.C., area where she had been employed at the University of Maryland. This year she has taught courses in the online parent education curriculum and other graduate level family education courses, is continuing her research work with rural, low-income mothers, and has become well acquainted with tasks related to a number of departmental and College committees.

Susan said she "is thrilled to be in Minnesota to do the work she was meant to do." When asked what brought her here, Susan replied that part of the reason she was thrilled with the opportunity to work in parent and family education at the University of Minnesota was "because of the rich environment here compared to other parts of the country." Although she had been involved in work with parents and families in other areas, such as health, schools and policy issues, she said her position in FYC is one that "truly supports the needs of parents, their interests and advocacy, and reinforces the structures by being part a group." She explained that she can do in Minnesota what she can't do elsewhere because of the climate of support for parent and family education.

The decision to change jobs in her career and to move her family were not made easily. Susan, her husband and daughter all recognized what they were giving up by leaving dear friends and the lives they had known in Maryland; however, Susan said that following her passion and dreams was made easier because there was "a personal pull" in the return to the family's Midwestern roots in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and "escape from some of the insanity" of life in the Washington, D.C., area.

Outside of work, the loves of her life are her 14-year-old daughter, Alice, and husband, Patrick. A significant amount of non-human love and joy in her life comes from Audrey, a pug not yet two years old, that Susan says "has undergone significant stress and trauma in her young life and is a symbol of resilience and happiness."

Susan, we're delighted to have you with us and appreciate all that you have inspired and accomplished this year!

Posted by Family Youth and Community Programs at 08:46 AM | Permalink

A new parent education certificate program was recently approved by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, and students from across the country are beginning to apply to it. This certificate is offered through Family Education in Family, Youth & Community in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education and Human Development. It is intended to prepare professionals to plan, coordinate, and teach parent education programs and services for families with children from early childhood through adolescence.

Family Education has a long history of providing a parent education licensure program to prepare students to obtain the Minnesota Board of Teaching Parent and Family Educator license for employment as parent educators in Minnesota’s Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) programs offered by public school districts. When all of the parent education courses needed for completion of this teacher licensure program became available online for both distance and local learners during the past two years, it was a logical next step to broaden the outreach of the program to those who work with parents in Minnesota programs other than ECFE and in other states and countries. Thus, the certificate program was launched.

The 16-credit program prepares professionals who are well qualified to deliver programs designed to address the intellectual, emotional, cultural, social and physical needs of parents and children. In addition to educational settings that may include public-school parent education programs, preschools, child care centers, and Head Start programs, parent educators may also work in health care and social service agencies and institutions and faith-based settings.

More information about the program and how to apply is available on the University of Minnesota website at http://cehd.umn.edu/students/Certificates/ParentEd.html.

Posted by Family Youth and Community Programs at 08:43 AM | Permalink

Andria Daniel is the lead educator for the Learning Dreams site at Hall Elementary School in North Minneapolis, where she works with families of children who are experiencing problems with school.

“The focus is on the parent,” says Andria, who often connects with families in the Learning Dreams program by meeting with a child’s parents in their home. She invites parents to reflect on how they would like to learn new skills and information. Then she helps parents identify their own learning dream or goal. The next step is to help the parent connect with community resources to help them achieve their learning goal. Andria shared examples of helping a parent get her driver’s license by covering the cost of behind-the-wheel driver’s training, and connecting a parent who wants to own her own business with Women Venture, an organization that trains women to become successful business owners. Once parents are making progress on their own learning, they are helped to support their children’s education and learning at home and at school. This is a great opportunity for me to work with parents and apply my knowledge of adult learning skills,” said Andria.

Andria Daniel graduated in May 2007 with a Master of Education Professional Studies degree in Family Education. Her goal is to continue to help families achieve their own learning goals and dreams by working with them in their homes and communities.

Posted by Family Youth and Community Programs at 02:30 PM | Permalink

FYC doctoral student Soohong Kim was one of 20 students who presented research to faculty and students during Curriclum and Instruction's Student Research Day, held April 11, 2008, from 1-5 P.M in Peik Hall. Kim presented posters on two research studies, "International graduate student mothers' stressful lives," by Soohong Kim, and "Living on the Outskirts of U. S. Life: Asian Graduate Student Mothers," by Soohong Kim, Kyong-Ah Kwon, Mei-Ju Ko, Larisa Frias, Judy Myers-Walls.

The well-attended event included snacks and beverages, prizes, and a drawing for a $10 gift card to a local restaurant. Additional photos of the event are available online.

Posted by Family Youth and Community Programs at 02:21 PM | Permalink

Catherine Johnson is the recipient of the 2007-08 Ruth and Paul Thomas Family Education Graduate Fellowship. The award has made it possible for her to be a full time FYC doctoral student and immerse herself in what the University has to offer. Catherine appreciates the generosity of the Thomas family, saying, "I hope that I can merit the confidence shown in me by contributing with in the field of Family, Youth and Community." Dr. Ruth Thomas, who is also Catherine’s adviser, “has been an excellent guide in the process of getting started at the University and in the field of Family Education,” according to Catherine.

Catherine has worked as a physical therapist in Fairmont, MN, Mayo Health Systems during the last 17 years. Her experience includes work in outpatient clinics, long-term care, home health, and school districts. All of these situations included the need for teaching clients, which led to Catherine’s interest in what makes an effective therapist-educator. Catherine completed a post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy program that included projects related to patient education, particularly low literacy patient education. Her experiences in home visiting through the school districts and home health agencies continued to demonstrate the need for educational methods and materials that were relevant and accessible to families with low educations or low literacy.

Dr. Jerry McClelland (now retired) first encouraged Catherin to further her interest in educating families with low levels of education, socio-economic status and limited technology while working on her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction in Family, Youth, and Community. Johnson is finishing her second semester of classes in May 2008 and says she has "found all of the professors to be excellent teachers, guides and leaders."

Posted by Family Youth and Community Programs at 01:15 PM | Permalink

FYC Masters of Arts student Brice Dixon was one of three recipients of the College of Education and Human Development Alumni Society's Advanced Study Student Scholarships awarded on Friday, April 18, 2008 awards celebration held at McNamara Alumni Center.

Brice is originally from a small, rural town in South Carolina. He attended Morris College, a small historically Black college in a neighboring city and graduated number one in his class. During his final semester he served as a research assistant to a psychology professor who encouraged him to apply to top graduate schools. Brice sought out the top education programs in the country. “The University of Minnesota ranked number five at the time on U.S. News and World Report. I missed the deadlines for the first four schools, applied to the U, and was offered a spot in the FYC program and offered a nice scholarship,” said Brice. Read Brice's personal profile below:

Continue reading "Brice Dixon awarded CEHD Alumni Scholarship" »

Posted by Family Youth and Community Programs at 01:00 PM | Permalink

Check out the new FACS Bookmark/Postcard.

Download file

Posted by Chris Buzzetta at 01:09 PM | Permalink

This winter Minnesota's ECFE Curriculum Committee carefully reviewed and edited indicators of Early Childhood Development along with a few indicators in the other four domains. This new version should hold for 2008, but the committee is likely to continue reviewing it and open to revising it based upon future feedback.

Download the most recent draft of
“Minnesota’s Parent Education Core Curriculum Framework and Indicators.”

Download the "Integrated Lesson Plan" as a Word file.

Posted by Betty Cooke at 10:09 PM | Permalink

I am working on my doctoral degree in FYC with an emphasis on Family Education. I completed my M.A. in family education at the University of Minnesota during spring semester 2006.

I received my B.S. in Child Development and M.Ed. in Early Childhood Development in South Korea. I worked extensively with the educational system in South Korea, teaching kindergarten and working with parents, and was honored to receive several awards and grants related to my teaching, committee work, and research. I currently work as a graduate research assistant in the Family Education program where I supports faculty and program projects.

I most enjoy learning about conducting research. My master's thesis was on the experiences of Korean mothers' strong commitment to their children's education, which I presented on at the National Council on Family Relations conference in 2007. In 2008, I presented at the same conference on the experiences of Asian graduate students who are also mothers. My most important professional goal is to help families and children, and I hope to accomplish this through my favorite activity, research.

Posted by Lynn Englund at 09:46 AM | Permalink

I am from Taiwan, where I was an elementary school teacher for years. My college degree was music education; however, I am interested in parent education and family mental health. Therefore, I am pursuing my PhD in FYC with a specialization in Family Education, and declaring a graduate minor in Complementary Therapies and Healing Practices. Currently, I am working with Dr. Susan Walker on two projects. One is about Asian parent education research. The other one is American parent education website comparisons research. Given that I grew up in Chinese culture, I will do Chinese parent education and family mental health research in the future. For professional growth, I am joining National Council on Family Relationships and Minnesota Council on Family Relationships. I plan to participate in activities and conferences in the family education field to strengthen my scholarly and practical capability. I will also make efforts on giving presentations at conferences and publishing articles in the future.

Posted by Lynn Englund at 09:32 AM | Permalink

Pi Lambda Theta's Epsilon Chapter at the University of MInnesota presents its fall program and meeting:

Saturday, November 3, 2007
Midtown Global Market
11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

Jeannette Hahn, Vocal Music Instructor, St. Francis Public Schools, will speak on "Attitudes, Assumptions and Myths: The Impact of the Arts on Student Achievement, K-12. "

Pi Lambda Theta is an international honor society and professional association for students who intend to pursue a career in education. Members, educational professionals, and the public are welcome. The $15 cost includes a multi-cultural buffet.

Download flyer [Word] for details and to register by October 26.

Posted by Lynn Englund at 07:07 PM | Permalink

A few of the Family, Youth, and Community faculty members met over the summer to further develop our ideas of the links between family, youth, and community in our programs. A draft document was created that builds on the idea of our program area makes a promise about what we do, has a position about how we go about fulfilling our promise, and a personality that we are known for.

Continue reading "Naming FYC's promise, position, and personality" »

Posted by Lynn Englund at 12:59 PM | Permalink

Printable PDF flyer

Continue reading "Learning to Be a Citizen Professional" »

Posted by Chris Buzzetta at 11:24 AM | Permalink