The Baby Fold is bringing its child welfare expertise to Unit 5’s Fairview Elementary School to train their staff, parents, and caregivers to help students learn to better regulate their emotions.
The training provided by The Baby Fold’s Community School and Hammitt Elementary School programs is in response to the increase in emotional and behavioral struggles that local educators are seeing in their students since the 2020 pandemic. Students are struggling with the ability to focus, connect with class activities, and/or engage in the classroom.
As a recognized expert in the field of child welfare, The Baby Fold has extensive experience in identifying and treating concerning child behaviors and is often called upon at the local, state and national level to provide training and consultation services to school districts and other professional staff who serve children.
“Addressing these concerns early is pivotal. Research indicates that when children can regulate their emotions, they have better friendships, social connections, and success at school,” said Laura Beavers, Manager of Prevention & Early Intervention Services at The Baby Fold. “In addition, children who can regulate their emotions also have better mental health, relationships, and satisfaction at work later in life.”
With grant funding from the McLean County Health Department Board of Health, The Baby Fold’s Lead Community School Coordinator Rebecca Kinsey, who is stationed within Fairview Elementary, and child development specialists from Hammitt School recently met with staff during Fairview’s Teacher Institute Day. They discussed child behavior and offered classroom and student interventions that can improve student attention and behavior. The grant will also provide resources for classroom calming spaces, a motor-sensory area, and a quiet room, which will be modeled from The Baby Fold’s sensory and motor spaces within Hammitt School.
Looking ahead, Baby Fold staff will continue to work with Fairview educators on a grade-level basis, working one-on-one with classroom teachers as needed. Later this fall, the school will also host a family event, led by Hammitt School experts, so that parents and caregivers can learn techniques to support their children.
“The Baby Fold is dedicated to the community’s children and families, and we are pleased to share proven strategies for recognizing and addressing child emotional and behavioral concerns – strategies that are employed within our programs every day,” said Baby Fold President and CEO Clete Winkelmann. “Together, we can strengthen the very fabric of our community by caring for the needs of its children.”
The Baby Fold is one of Bloomington-Normal’s longest standing nonprofit organizations, supporting local children and families since 1902. The Baby Fold serves over 1,200 individuals annually through 12 life-critical programs including foster care, adoption support, special education, autism programs, early childhood initiatives, crisis intervention, and more.
