Curriculum & Language
Minnesota Native American Parenting Program
The Minnesota Native American Parenting Program (NAPP) formally known as the Minnesota Positive Indian Parenting (PIP) manual is structured after the model developed by the National Native American Child Welfare Association (NICWA) in Portland, Oregon.
Background information: The Minnesota Tribal Resources for Early Childhood Care (MNTRECC) staff along with the Professional Development sub-committee were tasked with reviewing, revising and updating the curriculum. We agreed to change the curriculum title to ‘Minnesota Native American Parenting Program’ this decision was made as this committee felt the word ‘Indian’ in history has typically been used in a negative stereotypical manner.
The Minnesota Native American Parenting Program draw on the strengths of traditional Native American child-rearing practices using storytelling, cradleboards, harmony, lessons of native, behavior management and the use of praise. It also addresses the historic impact of boarding schools, intergenerational trauma & grief, and forces assimilation. This curriculum is designed to empower Native American families to reclaim their right to their heritage and examines how many Native American families were deprived of their right to learn traditional practice, invites participants to reclaim values that may have been lost by earlier generations and validates existing traditional knowledge and values.
In the introduction to this program, two goals were stated: To help families in their search for values and attitudes inherent in traditional historically documented Native American child-rearing practices. The family may then come to apply these values and incorporate those into his/her own family culture and into the task of raising children; and in conjunction with the first goal, the families may then be enabled to develop positive and productive attitudes, values and parenting skills which have their roots in their own Native American culture heritage.
The curriculum is divided into eight sessions requiring two to three hours each. The materials suggests a philosophy for parent trainers and promotes respect, family unity, and pride in our traditional ways.
Session 1: Traditional Parenting
Session II: Lessons of the Storyteller
Session III: Lessons of the Cradleboard
Session IV: Harmony in Child Rearing
Session V: Traditional Behavior Management
Session VI: Lesson of Mother Nature
Session VII: Praise in Traditional Parenting
Session VIII: Choices in Parenting
For more information on the Minnesota Native American Parenting Program (NAPP) contact Diana Smith at 1-800-551-0969 or email at diana.smith@llojibwe.net
Minnesota Center for Professional Development
Attention Practitioners of Early Childhood and School-Age Children! Now you can advance your career online with the new Minnesota Center for Professional Development Registry, developed in collaboration with Metropolis State University. The Registry can help you:
- Create a learning record quickly and easily.
- Find quality training with a searchable database including MNSTREAMS.
- Advance on Minnesota's 12-step Career Lattice.
- Seek credit for prior learning.
- Access career guidance resources.
- Receive recognition for our accomplishments.
Trainers can also us the Registry, making it easier for practitioners to find them. Visit www.mncpd.org for more details or to sign up.
Minnesota Department of Education
MDE aims to improve educational achievement by establishing clear standards, measuring performance, assisting educators and increasing opportunities for lifelong learning.
Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress: A Resource Guide
A framework for understanding and communicating a common set of developmentally appropriate expectations for young children approximately four years old, presented within a context of shared responsibility and accountability for helping children meet these expectations.
More information at: www.dhs.state.mn.us
Click here to view the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress online
Minnesota Core Competency Standards
The core competencies are designed to serve as a guide for improving your work with children and families. The competencies are worded so that they can be measured or demonstrated. You may also find the core competencies contain new ideas or provide a new way of reflecting on your teaching. The core competencies are divided into eight content areas. Each of the eight areas contains five levels that range from the skills and knowledge of a beginning practitioner to the more advanced skills and knowledge possessed by a professional with a masters degree.
Core Competency Areas
- Child Growth and Development
- Learning Environment and Curriculum
- Assessment and Planning for Individual needs
- Interactions with children
- Families and Communities
- Health, Safety and Nutrition
- Program Planning and Nutrition
- Professional Development and Leadership
More info at: http://www.mncpd.org
Environmental Rating Scale
There are four environmental rating scale books. They are published by Teachers College Press and are available at Red Leaf Press.
- Family Daycare Environment Rating Scale
- Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale
- Infant / Toddler Environment Rating Scale
- School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale
More info at: www.redleafpress.org
