FSU Center Partners with Early Childhood Education Group to Support Teachers with New Trainings

The Florida State University Center for the Study and Promotion of Communities, Families and Children and the Florida Association for Education of Young Children (FLAEYC) have launched a new certification program to assist teachers in developing skills to better educate and support the emotional needs of their students.

“A major factor contributing to failures in school readiness is the reality is that many children are not socially or emotionally ready to learn,” said James Clark, dean and professor at the FSU College of Social Work. “This certification gives teachers the tools to aid children as they navigate learning in the classroom.” 

The professional certification modules contain research and evidence-based education, classroom scenarios, research-informed lesson plans, multimedia materials, interactive segments and quizzes. 

Participants include those currently working in the early education or early elementary fields, high school or college students working toward an early childhood degree or anyone working in a position of influence in early education that is providing technical assistance to educators and families. 

“The goal of this program is for early childhood educators to create an environment where young children emotionally thrive, understand emotions, develop coping mechanisms, gain social skills and, in turn, be empowered to regulate their own emotions, open to learning and retain knowledge,” said Ellen Piekalkiewicz, director of the Center for the Study & Promotion of Communities, Families and Children. 

Included in the certification is the center-developed curriculum “Rebound & Recovery,” which provides early educators with tools for success. 

“The curriculum and certification that we developed to support educators and early learners have the capacity to positively influence the trajectory of early education, not only in Florida but across the country,” said Tai Cole, curriculum developer at the center. “It can do this through impacting all areas of the child’s experience with learning including interactions with teachers, peers in the classroom and caregivers at home.” 

By partnering with FLAEYC to provide continuing education credits, the CFC Center hopes more educators will be encouraged to take the certification and use the curriculum in their classrooms.  

To register for the professional certification, visit https://learningforlife.fsu.edu/professional-certification-rebound-and-recovery/.