High-quality preschool education is a vital component to ensuring all students have the pre-academic and social–emotional skills needed to become successful upon formal school entry (i.e., kindergarten). Although school psychologists have the training and knowledge to provide a wide array of preventive services in early childhood settings, their role is often limited to that of assessment to determine eligibility for special services. This workshop will help attendees build knowledge and skills about the importance of preventive practices in early childhood settings and examine the ways in which school psychologists can expand their role in providing services to children and families who participate in early childhood education.

Workshop Objectives:

This session will help participants

1. describe how providing comprehensive services in early childhood settings is consistent with the NASP Practice Model;
2. analyze and compare their current practices when working with early childhood teachers, children, and families;
3. identify specific opportunities to expand beyond the traditional role of assessment when working in early childhood settings; and
4. formulate an action plan outlining ways in which they can provide preventive services to early childhood teachers, children, and families.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Attendees should have an understanding of the short-term and long-term benefits of high-quality early childhood education. Attendees should also have an understanding of the ways in which their specific setting (e.g., school, district) currently utilizes school psychologists who provide early childhood services.

Practical Tools

Attendees will leave the session with knowledge and skill regarding preventive tools such as early literacy screening measures, evidence-based early literacy interventions, evidence-based social–emotional curricula for early childhood populations. Furthermore, attendees will be provided data regarding the negative impact of disproportionate discipline practices in early childhood setting.