"It was amazing!" Highlights from ParentCorps' inaugural Summer Institute

Earlier this month, we welcomed a variety of early childhood professionals – teachers, social workers, parent coordinators, etc. – from across New York and New Jersey for the first-ever ParentCorps Summer Institute. Through a series of structured games, activities, and discussions, we spent four days reflecting, practicing new skills, and building community. 

Three participants show off their ParentCorps swag.

Participants dove deep into their identities and experiences, and reflected on how those things show up in their beliefs related to family engagement. Then we explored strategies to build more positive relationships with families. We practiced empathic listening skills, and reflected on how this approach can help build supportive school environments. 

Participants guide their partner to their seats during one of our favorite experiential activities.

Active, empathic listening is hard, but it's key to improving family engagement. That's why we practice!

For the second half of the Summer Institute, we spent more time on early childhood-specific skills. We explored ways to create culturally affirming classroom environments, and practiced proactive strategies to support positive behaviors in young children, including techniques for giving effective instructions, child-led play, and using the division of responsibilities during mealtime. 

Participants throw their play-money in the air during facilitator Cindy Gray's favorite (intentionally chaotic) game of the training.

Finally, we spent time reflecting on where children’s challenging behaviors come from, and practiced responsive skills, including new ways to navigate tantrums. 

Attendees practice child-led play skills, and consider what it might look like to implement this approach in their classrooms.

We left the week feeling nourished and excited to keep building these partnerships. 

“I love the many activities that were conducted during the workshops that can help us to self-reflect on our practices, and how culture makes us see the world the way we see it. The people conducting the workshops are so well prepared and make me feel comfortable and welcome.” - Summer Institute participant

Every ParentCorps training is different — driven and enriched by the reflections of the people in the room.

“This was a great training overall. My favorite part(s) include the facilitators – each and every one of them did a phenomenal job! And the interactive, experiential activities made it so much more FUN and engaging!” - Summer Institute participant

Attendees had the chance to explore our ParentCorps materials, and some of our favorite children's books.

“I enjoyed so much about the whole process of this professional development training. It was amazing!” - Summer Institute participant

And, of course, the puppets got involved.

"This helped me think about how I could approach future situations in ways to build better connections with children and their families. I love ParentCorps Fundamentals!” - Summer Institute participant.

We look forward to continuing to build these relationships — to co-creating a future where all children thrive. 

Clarissa Donnelly-DeRoven is ParentCorps’ Communication Specialist. Cindy Gray is a ParentCorps Senior Program Coordinator.