In 2007, the State of Minnesota adopted criteria for early intervention that automatically includes all infants born weighing 3 lbs. 5 oz. or less (under 1500 grams). This means that many families are referred to early intervention soon after their babies are discharged from the hospital, some even before. Early interventionists must be prepared to offer the right information and support to families and be able suggest activities that will promote the pre-term infant’s development in an individualized manner. 

This course is designed to enhance the skills of early intervention professionals by providing them with background information about the experiences of parents who have given birth prematurely, the effect of premature birth on the infant’s behavior and development, information about developmental care, and other research-based strategies proven to enhance the child’s development and offer both parent education curricula as well as implementation strategies.

Participants will learn important information about pre-term infants, the experiences of their parents and will learn to be better able to provide both information and support to parents of infants born prematurely.

Course objectives are to:

• Become more knowledgeable about the development of both full-term and pre-term infants.
• Gain an understanding of how a premature birth impacts the infant, the parent and their early relationship.
• Learn how to offer support and identify key information to share with parents of preterm babies.
• Identify resources to educate, inform and support parents of prematurely born children.
• Identify interventions that are designed to help preterm infant develop their social, cognitive, self-help, gross and fine motor skills.

Next session: June 11 to August 13, 2012

Cost

$340 plus required materials (group rates available)

Register Online

Required Materials

1. 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 (includes Pathways Teaching Photographs). ISBN: 978-1-4276-2869-5. Pearson, J. (2006).
• Growing Sophia, by Rochelle Barsuhn. ISBN-10: 0615183522. ISBN-13: 978-0615183527.
• Preemie Magazine fall 2006 issue.

2. Please purchase this additional book separately through the March of Dimes:

• The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies, by Wechsler Linden, Paroli, & Wechsler Doron. March of Dimes web site. To order book from March of Dimes: Call the March of Dimes Fulfillment Center at 800-367-6630. Outside of U.S., call 770-280-4115. Item no. 09-1833-03. $16.95. Also available at Amazon.com. 

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

• "'Premature Babies and Their Parents' gave me new insights into the art of home visiting, practical tools to use in the field, improved my understanding of premature infant development, expanded my knowledge of what parents go through, and helped to renew my desire in working for families and their children who have special needs."
• "I would recommend this course in its entirety to anyone who works with parents of prematurely born infants. The varied resources and presentations were extremely helpful to me."
• "I’m not sure where my professional journey will take me next but I do know that I will take the knowledge from this class and the stories of these families along with me as I go."
• "I found the 'Premature Babies and Their Parents' course to be excellent. I learned many new facts and pointers as well as valuable insights into the world of the NICU and premature births. The readings associated with the modules provided nice support to the video learning." 
• "I have truly enjoyed how well this course is put together.... Every aspect of the course has been easy for me to access. It was structured well each week and we had excellent access to everything needed."
• During the 2007-08 school year, 32 staff from the Minneapolis Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program took this course in person. Here is what they said.

Related Resources

• Flier: Premature Babies and Their Parents
• Questions About Kids: Getting to Know Your 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 11 to August 13, 2012
• Fall 2012: October 8 to December 10, 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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