Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood
Our Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood (IPEC) credential provides early educators with the foundational knowledge and skills to successfully work with children with challenging behaviors and special needs.
The Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood (IPEC) Credential is an 8-credit training credential offered in partnership with University of Colorado Denver (UCD) that focuses on providing early educators with knowledge and strategies to support the inclusion of children with disabilities and challenging behaviors in early childhood programs. Through a combination of lecture, discussion, and practicum experience, IPEC participants dig deep into content and apply new learning. IPEC courses are taught through an equity lens – with a specific focus on disability rights, inclusion, and advocacy.
The catalyst for this training came from feedback from early educators who desired more training on how to successfully work with the children we serve in our programs and how to best meet their social/emotional needs.
IPEC participants receive an IPEC Credential and eight college credits in Special Education from UCD that may be applied towards a BA degree.
Jola Burghard, Teacher, Lowry Early Learning Center
“When I signed up for IPEC, I expected to get a general overview of special education. What I gained is much more. We learned about the history of institutions for people with developmental disabilities, how public schools accommodate children with disabilities, and changing public policy. As part of the course we learned instructional strategies, accommodations, and modifications that we can apply when working with children with developmental disabilities. For me, the best part of the course was support for challenging behavior and strategies to change it. I am going back to the classroom much more knowledgeable, with an understanding of disabilities and strategies to change undesirable behaviors.”
