There are predictable times when parents will benefit from specific information, insights, and support. New parents are especially eager to understand their infant's growth and development. The period following the birth of a child offers a special opportunity for professionals to reach new parents with important information and to build relationships. Parent-Infant Pathways captures the key information needed by new parents, has effective strategies and materials to impart this information, and explains how to empower parents and demonstrate support.

The Parent-Infant Pathways course is designed to enhance the work of professionals in the fields of early education, early intervention, parent education, nursing, pediatrics, social service, and health care by providing specific training around early infant development, parent education, and parent-infant relationships.

Each pathway of information is supported by current research and reflects best practice. Upon completion of the course, participants will be better able to address new parents' questions, thoughts, and concerns as well as help parents more easily identify infant communication cues and capabilities.

The course is divided into nine learning modules:

Pathways Overview

Pathway 1: Womb to the World

Pathway 2: The Sleeping Baby

Pathway 3: The Social Newborn

Pathway 4: The Crying Baby

Pathway 5: Rooting and Suckling

Pathway 6: Grasping and Holding

Pathway 7: Strength and Control

Pathway 8: Premature Babies and Their Parents

Next session: June 4 to August 6, 2012

Cost

$340 plus required materials (group rates available)

Register Online

Required Materials

A course materials packet is available through Oleanna Books.

• Required Materials Order Form

Course packet includes:

• Pearson, J. (2006). Parent-Infant Pathways: An Educator's Guide for Providing Information and Support to New Parents and Pathways Teaching Photographs booklet. ISBN: 978-1-4276-2869-5.

Continuing Education Certificate

36 clock hours

Jolene Pearson, Instructor

Jolene Pearson, M.S., IMH-E® (IV), Infant Mental Health Mentor. Ms. Pearson holds a B.E.S. degree from the University of Minnesota in Child Development. She earned a masters in science from Wheelock College in Boston in Infant and Toddler Behavior and Development. Ms. Pearson completed internships with Drs. Berry Brazelton and James Herzog at Harvard Medical School's Child Development Research Unit and Family Development Clinic in Boston, MA. Ms. Pearson has been an adjunct faculty member and instructor at the University of Minnesota teaching courses in parent education, infant mental health, and early childhood special education, and Parent Infant Pathways. She is a certified Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale examiner and is licensed in the fields of Parent Education, Early Childhood Education, and Early Childhood Special Education.

Jolene teaches the CEED online courses Parent-Infant Pathways: An Educator's Guide to Providing Information and Support to New Parents and Premature Babies and Their Parents: Information and Insights for Early Intervention Personnel.

Comments from Participants

• "The research-based information will be invaluable to me in my work as an early childhood teacher."
• "I can recommend your course wholeheartedly to those interested in increasing their knowledge in the field of infant development and parent education."
• "It was a wonderful course. I feel so lucky to have been a part of it."
• "Thank you for the wonderful course. I am recommending it to our special education teachers. I found the information very useful for our population."
• "Despite all the intuitive knowledge that comes from experience...what this course is giving me is practical ways to...work with families."

Related Resources

• Flier: Parent-Infant Pathways
• Questions About Kids: How do I Get to Know My Newborn?
• Questions About Kids: How Can Parents and Caregivers Support a Baby's Healthy Development?
• From the Healthy Child Care organization:
  • A Child Care Provider's Guide to Safe Sleep
  • A Parent's Guide to Safe Sleep
  • Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play
• From Contemporary Pediatrics web site:
  • Nakagawa, T., & Conway, E. (May 1, 2004). Shaken baby syndrome: Recognizing and responding to a lethal danger.

Upcoming Sessions

• Summer 2012: June 4 to August 6, 2012
• Fall 2012: September 17 to November 19, 2012

Questions?

If you have further questions or would like a sample syllabus, please contact Karen Anderson, CEED Online Course Manager, at 612-625-6617 or ander352@umn.edu.

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