2026 International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute

Supporting young children when their behavior feels challenging is one of the most common and complex parts of early childhood work. We all have strategies, but even when we use our best tools, those moments can still leave us feeling disconnected, worn down, or unsure of what to do next. Especially when things feel hard, how we use practices matters just as much as which ones we choose. This session focuses on the adult side of supporting young children whose behavior can feel challenging to understand and support. Rather than adding more tools to an already full toolbox, participants will explore a small set of research-supported “quarter turns” to bring more intention to the practices they already use. Participants will leave with practical ways to shift from a focus on behavior or children as challenging toward a broader, belonging-centered approach that supports stronger relationships, more responsive interactions, and inclusive, caring classroom communities.

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This session will examine data on the federal, state, and local levels to identify who is included and who isn’t. Through the review and analysis of environment, age, eligibility, and location, participants will explore making informed programmatic decisions and identify strategies to include all.  ,The session will highlight practical strategies to develop a culture of data use to examine and improve program quality.  ,
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Families are powerful advocates when equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to understand and interpret data. This session explores how families can use data to advance inclusive practices and make informed school choice decisions. Participants will learn how to help families interpret school and district data, understand equity indicators, and apply this knowledge to advocate for inclusive environments and high-quality educational options. Using DaSy's Look! Think! Act! Framework, practical examples, tools, and interactive discussion, participants will build the skills and confidence needed to support families to influence decisions that promote access, belonging, and positive outcomes for all children.

Early childhood providers are often the first to notice when a child may need extra support. What can be harder is knowing what to look for, how to bring concerns to a family in a supportive way, and where to connect them next.
This session will share how Family Connection of South Carolina works with families and early childhood providers to help move from concern to support. We will talk about programs and services available across South Carolina for young children with disabilities, including early intervention, preschool special education, and other family supports. We will also review healthy growth and development so participants can better recognize when a child may need a closer look.
A big part of this session will focus on connection and coordination. We will walk through how to refer a child for BabyNet or preschool special education services and how providers can use state and national early childhood resources to better support families. We will also share what we have learned through Family Connection’s work with early childhood partners, including ways to have supportive conversations with families, how to build trust, and how to help families feel less overwhelmed when concerns first come up.
This session is grounded in the family perspective and in the role of Parent Training and Information Centers as trusted partners for both providers and families.