Center for Inclusive Child Care

Imagine being an early childhood educator who wants every child to feel included but lacks the tools, support, or training to make that a reality. Now, imagine what it feels like when someone walks alongside you, offering free coaching, hands-on strategies, and real solutions to help every child thrive. That’s exactly what we do at the Center for Inclusive Child Care, but we can’t do it alone. Every day, we provide free, one-on-one coaching and training to child care providers across Minnesota, helping them create classrooms where all children feel safe, supported, and valued, no matter their abilities.? Your support keeps this work going. Your gift means more educators get the help they need and more children get the inclusive care they deserve. Do you believe in a world where every child belongs? Make and impact. Donate today. #inclusionmatters #inclusiveeducation #supportchildren #supportteachers #givehope

?? ACT FAST! Save 20% with code EARLYBIRD20—offer ends March 20, 2025! ?? Tech & Toddlers—What’s Helpful, What’s Harmful? ?? SAVE THE DATE: April 17, 2025! ?? Technology is everywhere—but when it comes to toddlers, how much is too much? And how can we use tech in ways that actually support learning and development? Join Erin Walsh, M.A. of Spark & Stitch Institute for a must-attend event! As a child development and digital media expert, Erin breaks down the latest research and shares real, practical advice on what actually helps (and what doesn’t) when it comes to screens, apps, and digital learning. If you’ve ever wondered: ?? Are educational apps really educational? ?? How do I set healthy screen-time boundaries? ?? Can tech support social-emotional learning instead of hurting it? Mark your calendar, grab your Early Bird discount, and tag a friend who needs to hear this conversation. Learn more below. #inclusionmatters #educationalapps #playlearning #screentimelimits #screentimealternatives

CICC Executive Director Priscilla Weigel and Program Manager Kellee Nelson attended the Vivabú Celebration on Saturday! This event celebrated the renaming of our CICC Board Member Karina Elze’s (pictured) Spanish Emersion Early Childhood Center, formerly Acadamia Elze. ?It was a wonderful opportunity for families to come together to support this exciting milestone and CICC was happy to join in the fun, good food, and high energy! #inclusionmatters #spanishforkids #cicc #spanishimmersion #bilingualkids

As the days get longer, kids are itching to get outside—running, jumping, splashing in puddles, or maybe even making one last snow angel. But for some children, outdoor play can be overwhelming. The bright sun, the crunch of snow, the wind on their skin—it’s a lot to process. Every child experiences the world differently, and as caregivers, we have the power to make outdoor time a place of joy, not stress. Our self-paced online course, "Supporting Sensory Needs of Young Children in Your Care," helps you recognize sensory processing challenges and gives you practical tools to create calm, engaging, and inclusive outdoor experiences. ??♂? Some kids seek all the movement and excitement. ?? Others might be unsure, hesitant, or overwhelmed. ?? You can help them all feel comfortable, safe, and ready to explore. Earn 10 hours on your Develop Learning Record while learning strategies to make outdoor time a success for every child! Click below to sign up and start today. ?? #inclusionmatters #playoutside #sensoryneeds #naturekids #inclusiveplay

Cada palabra, cada canción y cada gesto que compartes con los bebés y ni?os peque?os les ayuda a construir su lenguaje y comprensión del mundo.? Desde las rimas que cantamos hasta los libros que leemos, cada interacción es una oportunidad para sembrar las bases de la comunicación y la conexión. Este jueves 20 de marzo de 6 a 7 PM, acompá?anos en la sesión gratuita Desarrollo del lenguaje en bebés y ni?os peque?os.? Exploraremos formas sencillas y efectivas de fomentar el lenguaje en el aula de manera natural, divertida y significativa.? Trae tus canciones favoritas, juegos con los dedos y libros infantiles para compartir y aprender juntos. ?? Westwood Early Childhood Center, St. Louis Park, MN ?? ?Asegura tu lugar hoy! ??? #inclusionmatters #desarrollodellenguaje #ni?ospeque?os #lenguajeinfantil #estimulaciondellenguaje

Antes de que los bebés hablen, ya están comunicándosecon miradas, gestos y sonidos que nos dicen más de lo que imaginamos.? Como educadores y cuidadores, tenemos el poder de impulsar su desarrollo del lenguaje en cada interacción diaria. Pero, ?cómo podemos hacerlo de manera intencional y efectiva? únete a nosotros el jueves 20 de marzo de 6 a 7 PM para la sesión gratuita Desarrollo del lenguaje en bebés y ni?os peque?os, donde exploraremos estrategias prácticas para fortalecer la comunicación desde los primeros meses de vida.? Trae tus canciones, juegos con los dedos y libros favoritos, y aprendamos juntos cómo hacer del lenguaje una experiencia rica y significativa en el aula. ?? Westwood Early Childhood Center, St. Louis Park, MN ?? Reserva tu lugar ahora y descubre el poder de la comunicación temprana. ?? Enlace de inscripción #inclusionmatters #earlychildhoodeducation #educaciónprimaria #lenguajeinfantil #estimulaciondellenguaje

Some children wear their emotions on their sleeves. Others hold everything inside. As early childhood educators and caregivers, you're the bridge—helping children name their feelings, process big emotions, and build the social-emotional skills they'll carry for life. Emotional sensitivity is an opportunity to connect with the children in your care to understand their needs. The child who cries easily? They're learning empathy.? The one who struggles to notice others' feelings? They need gentle guidance. Your everyday work shapes how children connect, understand, and navigate the world around them, which is powerful! Are you curious to learn more about Social-Emotional Learning? We invite you to dive deeper into this topic with our Inclusion Matters podcast episode, "Emotional Sensitivity," in which we explore how to support children of all temperaments in their emotional development. Grab this episode's info below. #inclusionmatters #earlychildhoodeducation #childdevelopment #emotionalregulation #socialemotionaldevelopment

UPDATE: This session is full. ?? Let’s Be Real: When a Toddler Bites, It’s Chaos. One second, everyone’s happily playing—then CHOMP! A child is crying, a parent is panicking, and you’re stuck in the middle, trying to manage it all. You didn’t sign up for that part of the job… but here you are. So, what’s the right move? Join us Join us on March 18th for our Teeth & Teach: Tackling Toddler Biting with Empathy & Strategy, a free virtual coaching session designed to take the stress out of biting (for you and the kids). You’ll learn why it happens, how to handle it without escalating the situation, and proven ways to prevent it from becoming a habit. More confidence, fewer bite marks. Win-win. Spots are limited—grab yours now (in the comments) and turn biting battles into teachable moments! ?? #inlcusionmatters #teethingbabies #teethingtoy #teachablemoments #teethingrelief

Imagine a world where education was not a given for every child and the foundation of learning wasn’t a priority. Now, imagine the fearless women who changed that—women who believed that every child deserves a strong start, a curious mind, and a future filled with possibility. ?? Maria Montessori revolutionized education with her hands-on, child-centered approach that is still shaping classrooms today. ?? Patty Smith Hill (creator of the Happy Birthday song!) championed kindergarten education, believing in learning through play. ?? Lucy Sprague Mitchell paved the way for progressive education, ensuring young children had access to rich, meaningful learning experiences. These women didn’t just teach; they transformed how we nurture the next generation. Their passion and persistence remind us that education is one of the most powerful tools for change. ?? Now, it’s your turn! Share this post and tag three people who inspire you through their work with children, whether they’re teachers, parents, or mentors. Let’s celebrate those who shape the future, one child at a time! ?? #inclusionmatters #womenshistory #empowerthrougheducation #celebrateteachers #futureshapers

What if, instead of seeing a child acting out, we saw a child reaching out? A meltdown at transition time, a child who won't follow directions, or another who refuses to join group play, these moments can be frustrating, but what if we looked at them differently? What if we saw behavior not as a problem to fix but as a message to understand? When children act out, they're not trying to be difficult; they're asking for help in the only way they know how. As early childhood educators, we have the power to shift our response from frustration to connection. Our self-paced course, "Identifying the Underlying Factors Behind Challenging Behaviors," is designed to help you go beyond the surface of behavior and uncover what's really going on with the child. You'll gain practical strategies to help children feel safe, supported, and understood. This course also offers 10 clock hours so you can grow your skills while making a lasting impact on the children in your care. Sign up today and start transforming the way you see behavior. #inclusionmatters #behavioriscommunication #understandingkids #childdevelopment #supporteverychild