Distance Learning and the Early Head Start Community

Television Broadcast Series
The EHS NRC's 1999 Infant and Toddler Distance Learning Series launched its Television Broadcast Series in May 1999. This initiative reflects the developing collaboration between EHS NRC and RISE (Resources and Instruction for Staff Excellence, Inc.), using the NHSA Heads Up! Network to connect EHS sites to the broadcasts. The first two programs explored process and curriculum for home visiting initiatives:

• "Effective Home Visiting, Part I" focused on the use of relation-based intervention in home visitation, explored parent-child interactive techniques, and discussed strategies for nurturing the nurturer.
• "Effective Home Visiting, Part II" addressed effective home visiting with pregnant women, explored curriculum approaches to home visiting, and examined parent-infant mental health strategies.

The next three programs addressed developmentally appropriate curriculum through the eyes and needs of the child and the community. The Head Start Program Performance Standards' definition of curriculum and requirements underscores the content and recommended strategies.

• "What Curriculum Means to Infants and Toddlers" discussed how curriculum relates to the care of infants, what we know about how and what infants are learning, what we know about how infants learn best from research, and the infant's role in the process of learning.
• "Developing Curriculum Plans for Infants and Toddlers" examined the caregiver's role as the facilitator of learning, the use of infant's curriculum in planning, the application of observation in planning, and the practice of keeping a curriculum journal to support appropriate programming.
• "Curriculum in Action" shared experiences in curriculum development, discussed specific challenges and successes, explored a development process for designing infant toddler curriculum, and featured lessons learned from two established Early Head Start programs.

The programs, broadcast between May and September 1999, provided 90 minutes of information designed to support Early Head Start program and staff development. Through a relationship with the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, EHS NRC offered CDA clock-hour credits for those Early Head Start staff working toward their Infant Toddler Credential.

Audio-Conference SeriesThe Audio-Conference Series, held from July through September 1999, promoted peer learning through conference calls.

• "Program Directors: Sharing Our Strengths" described the experiences of established program EHS directors and factors that contributed to the success of their programs, specifically during the implementation year.
• "Together, How We Grow" discussed why and how quality assurance measures become essential components of successful collaborations with EHS partnering agencies.
• "Getting Together with Parent and Child" explored the characteristics of quality socialization experiences for children, parents, and the staff of EHS programs.