A phrase I hear frequently across districts and early childhood classrooms is “what is going on with these kids and their behaviors? Covid is over, why is it getting worse and not better?” The reality of our current state is that our youngest students, Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten and up seem to be struggling more and more with behavior. Where we used to see 1-2 “high flyers” per site, we are now seeing 3-4 “high flyers” per classroom. And it isn’t just the quantity of students with behavioral needs. It is the frequency, intensity and severity of these at times explosive behaviors that are demanding all hands on deck._x000D_ _x000D_ This is our new reality, and it looks bleak, but what we know is that early intervention, specifically caregiver or Parent Implemented Intervention (PII) has the evidence base and power to make HUGE changes in the brain/behavior of a child. A lot of times we focus solely on in-class behavior strategies and plans, but a lot of times these plans stay at school and don’t transfer home. So, what if we did something different? What if we brought in the parents, and not only supported the child but the caregivers in strategies to support behavior change? This is what the Parent Empowerment Program (PEP) within the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District is working to provide. _x000D_ _x000D_ PEP is a free program that provides behavioral support and parenting tools to families with students ages 3-6 who may be experiencing any level of behavior difficulties, from separation anxiety, defiance, tantrums, aggression, elopement etc. PEP is a safe place for families to come to get support. The Parent Empowerment Program is an expansion site of the Regional Intervention Program (RIP) originally developed through Vanderbilt University. RIP has over 50 years of data showing that this program works not only to reduce challenging behaviors across settings (home, school, in the community), but also reduces caregiver stress and increases student access to less restrictive educational settings and supports._x000D_ _x000D_ PEP and the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District are working to help give these Bunker Babies the support they need by empowering their caregivers. By working in partnership with our families to support our students, PEP not only helps reduce challenging behaviors right now, but it is changing trajectories for these children’s futures. _x000D_ _x000D_ Learn more about why we are seeing an uptick in behavioral needs with our youngest learners, and what educational leaders can do to empower families through Parent Implemented Intervention in order to reduce behavioral challenges and strengthen both student and family SEL skills._x000D_
