California School District Provides Early Support to Preschool Parents

In this post, we are spotlighting the work of the Early Education team at the Chula Vista Elementary School District—a district in the southern-most region of California that extends to the US boarder with Mexico. CVESD is noteworthy for a variety of reasons, including an unusual arrangement between the district and San Diego State University initiated by Superintendent Francisco Escobedo that has supported (a dozen) district administrators to complete doctorates related to their work in the district at SDU. Working with CVESD leaders, the effect is palpable in the regard administrators have for ideas and for each other.

While there are many CVESD practices that are worthy of attention, in this post it is the support the early education team has provided for parents that we are highlighting. We are spotlighting the site in part because other districts, and parents of preschoolers everywhere, may find the CVESD Early Childhood Education website on Social and Emotional Behavior Resources valuable. But we also highlight the site because it is a remarkable example of a district effort to partner with parents in the interest of children. The blogs and the videos are friendly and empathetic, while also offering helpful and very practical suggestions rooted in research knowledge and best practices. The site also offers visual resources and videos that help parents to implement recommended practices.

Blog posts on the Chula Vista site tackle questions such as What to do when your child wants un-needed help, What to do when your child is breaking down, Helping your child cope with grief, and Using Visual Supports at Home. The visual supports, such as the “How do you feel thermometer” can be downloaded and hung at eye level for your child to help with emotional regulation, and sensory support visuals are offered, such as the set of Animal Walks Movement Cards that can be kept on hand for times when your child needs to get the wiggles out before engaging in a concentrated activity. In our own work with a district partner focused on middle schools, SERP designed a set of breathing exercises to use in the classroom to help calm students and support focus. The CVESD site helps parents to get deep breathing practice going with preschoolers to help with emotional regulation.

If you are a member of a district early education team, a preschool or kindergarten teacher, or the parent of a young child, we think you’ll appreciate what the CVESD Early Education team has to offer.