Harney ESD Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education

01/06/2026

Join us and our OPEC team for craft night this Thursday, January 8th from 5 pm to 7pm.

01/06/2026

"Why is my kid acting like this!?"
"He's being so naughty!"
"Why won't she just listen to me? I've told her a million times!"
"I'm going to pull my hair out!"

Young children are still learning how to use words to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs. Because of this, behavior is one of their primary forms of communication. When we understand what a child’s behavior is trying to tell us, we can respond in ways that support their emotional growth and strengthen our connection with them.

Every behavior *positive or challenging* has a message behind it.
A child’s actions often communicate:
- A need for connection
- A need for help or support
- A feeling of distress or overwhelm

Instead of asking, “How do I stop this behavior?” it can be helpful to ask:
“What is my child trying to tell me?”

In the next few weeks, I will be talking about how/why your child communicates with behavior, and how we as the grown ups can help our children through big emotions.

CONNECTION BEFORE CORRECTION

11/06/2025

Come to hear all of the amazing things about your child. Leave with clothes, coats, and food. The Early Childhood Center

10/08/2025

I remember learning this in school! Henry L Slater Elementary School

10/08/2025

October is National Farm to School Month, and
We're celebrating with Crunch At Once on October 23rd at Slater Elementary. This statewide event connects our students with Oregon's incredible agricultural heritage while promoting healthy eating habits. Did you know that when schools buy local produce, it supports our regional economy and reduces environmental impact? Join us in making some noise for Oregon agriculture!

10/08/2025

Congratulations to Jessica toes!

10/07/2025

Elated to be able to attend a week of education at the Division for Early Childhood.
Hoping to return with some great ideas for families and our teachers.

09/15/2025

Did you know that speech sounds grow a lot like other developmental skills? Just like kids don't learn to walk or ride a bike all at one, they also don't learn to pronounce every sound right away.
There is a natural order in how speech sounds typically develop. It's probably okay for very young kids to not be able to say some sounds.

As an example, it's pretty normal for a 3 year old to say wabbit instead of rabbit. For an 8-year old, however, pronouncing rabbit as wabbit may indicate it's time to have their speech looked at by a speech language pathologist.

The important thing to remember is that speech sounds follow a general path. I have included a handout that shows which sounds a child should be able to use at each age.

09/08/2025

"Sharing" this for all of you parents of littles.

I am often told, "My kid just won't share!"

Yep, they shouldn't really know how at their age.
Like anything else, sharing is a skill that has to be taught, but your toddler and early preschooler may literally not understand that sharing is kind, and that they WILL get that item back.

At this age, their brain says that the world is only related to their perspective. It is an ego-centric stage of life. (* Let's hope all of us adults have moved past this!*) You child's POV is:
"If I see it, it's mine."
"If I want it, it's mine."
"If I set it down, forget about it, and then come back for it, but someone else has the audacity to have it, IT'S MINE!"

Teach your child to trade. Use a timer to show when it's time for someone else's turn. Reaffirm that they will get it back, and follow through until they get another turn.

🧸 Let’s Talk About Sharing (Without Saying “Sharing is Caring”)

Toddlers aren’t “bad at sharing” — they’re just egocentric, which is totally normal.
Their brains are still learning how to wait, how to empathize, and how to understand someone else’s point of view.

✨ Best tip I can give you for a toddler classroom? Have multiples of popular toys. It’s not “spoiling” — it’s supporting development. Because when you remove the fight for one single item, you create more space for play, connection, and peace.

Model turn-taking. Acknowledge feelings. Set gentle limits.
But don’t expect toddlers to share like adults — they’re not there yet. And that’s okay. 💛 Sometimes....I don't even share! 😆

09/08/2025

If I could chose an alternate career, it would be a librarian.

Watching the movie "The Mummy" may have had a hand in that.

09/07/2025

We will miss Brenda at the Early Childhood Center, but we are proud of her bravery to take this next step. We will be cheering for her from afar… I mean, not really far. It is Burns after all. We could probably shout and she would still hear us. 

BURNS (Released from the City of Burns)-The city of Burns has successfully completed their search ...Read More

09/07/2025

I can’t express how excited I am for these books. I am so proud to know Darlene Cronin. She has talked about writing children’s books and I knew that they would be great! Darlene it’s one of those magical people who changes the lives of every one who is blessed to know her. 

📚 Local Author Spotlight!
We’re excited to share that local author Darlene Cronin donated copies of her children’s books to the library last week, illustrated by her granddaughter, Josie Hopper!

The books have been processed and are now ready for checkout on the Kids’ New Arrivals shelf. Thank you, Darlene!