The three-week pilot program, held in June, brought together three early childhood educators and four ELCOC trainers for immersive, hands-on training focused on Positive Behavior Support (PBS) strategies that foster inclusive, engaging classroom environments for young learners.

Designed and led by the Hume House Child Development & Student Research Center team, the program combined expert instruction with real-world classroom experience. Participants observed teacher-child interactions through the center's one-way observation rooms before working alongside Hume House teachers during the summer-camp program to put new strategies into practice. Daily reflection and mentoring sessions reinforced key concepts, while training topics progressed from establishing positive classroom environments to understanding children’s developmental needs and implementing individualized support. As a pilot, the program was created to refine a scalable model that could expand to serve more early childhood educators throughout the region in the future.

Upon completing the program, participants received personalized classroom toolkits containing materials tied to each week’s instructional focus, allowing them to immediately implement what they learned in their own classrooms. By pairing evidence-based training with direct observation, guided practice, and individualized coaching, the pilot emphasized practical skill-building that educators can carry into their daily work. The initiative also provided valuable insights that will help Hume House and ELCOC continue refining the program for future cohorts of early childhood professionals.

• Highlights