Serving children and families requires us to understand and address a complex system of challenges and opportunities. It is sometimes difficult to imagine how a single, small, and ordinary moment fits within these complex challenges and rising demands for outcomes, yet such moments are the most essential building blocks of a healthy community. Finding meaningful ways to talk about such moments can be encouraging, enriching, and empowering at every level of a system in service of children, youth, and families. Each simple interaction lays the groundwork for lasting developmental relationships. At the foundation of all healthy human development is the power of human connection – and we will explore the power we have to build connections and contribute to the positive development of those around us.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will:
Dr. Dana Winters is the Director of Simple Interactions and Academic Programs, and assistant professor of child and family studies, at the Fred Rogers Center. She contributes significantly to expanding the use of Simple Interactions as an approach for adult-child and adult-adult interactions across multiple contexts to serve children and adults who help them. She leads the team at the Fred Rogers Center to use Simple Interactions to support child-serving professionals across early childhood and other developmental contexts.
Dr. Junlei is the Saul Zaentz Senior Lecturer of Early Childhood Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is the creator of the Simple Interactions Tool. He has explored the use of Simple Interactions across a wide range of settings, from orphanages to classrooms, and is committed to understanding and supporting the work of helpers – those who serve children and families on the frontlines of education and social services. In his work, Dr. Li is focused on information practice and system change with the science of human interactions.