Nearly 300 early learning professionals turned out for the Engagement of the Heart Institute: Supporting Every Child’s Way of Learning this May, some by the busload. The one-day institute presented opportunities to strengthen inclusive, play-based learning for young children by elevating play as a critical foundation for lifelong learning and increasing access and belonging for young children with disabilities. The event was co-hosted by the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Head Start and Early Learning Division, Quality Start Los Angeles (QSLA) and the Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program (IEEEP).

“Play is the foundation of early learning: it’s how young children learn, explore and make meaning, and how we support language development, social interaction and problem solving,” said Luis Bautista, executive director of LACOE’s Head Start and Early Learning Division. “Inclusion is vital because every child deserves meaningful access to learning experiences, and all children learn better when they engage with a diverse group of peers.”

Educators and administrators from school districts, charters, nonprofit providers and family child care homes across the county engaged in interactive breakout sessions that equipped them with practical strategies for play-based learning and universally designed practices that engage diverse learners and their families.

“We believe that every child deserves a champion—someone who understands that there is no one ‘right’ way to learn, only the child’s way,” explained Briseida Gonzalez, program manager for Quality Start Los Angeles (QSLA), one of the event’s co-leads. 

Community partners and vendors hosted booths for resource brokering throughout the day, including six of L.A. County’s seven Regional Centers and Family Resource Centers. Interactive workshops covered topics such as supporting social-emotional growth in the age of screens, blending funding to strengthen accessible early childhood systems, developing strategies for partnering with parents and much more. Participants were encouraged to engage intentionally with presenters, vendors and with one another.

“Be open to new ideas that challenge your current way of doing things. Be open to different perspectives that might surprise you. And be open to the possibility that one single conversation today might change the trajectory of a child’s life tomorrow,” added Hazel Naal, program manager for the Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program, event co-lead.

Both programs, QSLA and IEEEP, are housed in LACOE’s Head Start and Early Learning Division and serve early learning providers throughout the county.

About Quality Start Los Angeles (QSLA)  

QSLA is L.A.’s Countywide Quality Improvement System (QIS) designed to empower early learning providers to build upon and improve the quality of care they provide to children ages birth to five. LACOE co-leads the QSLA consortium of six Countywide agencies. More information is available at qualitystartla.org. 

About Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program (IEEEP)

The IEEEP increases access, participation and support of children with moderate to severe disabilities in early learning settings through training, team simulated professional development, intensive individualized coaching, a digital resource library, facilities infrastructure improvements and mobile services. More information is available at inclusiveece.org.