Motivational Interviewing specialists recognize that early learning professionals and the families they work with have their own knowledge, experience, and resources. When fully engaged in the process of change, not simply given information and advice, families are much more likely to commit to healthy behaviors and life choices.
Tenets of Motivational Interviewing in Early Learning
- Affirmation: Specialized statements recognize strengths, as opposed to praise (our opinion of behavior and choices).
- Guidance: M.I. is not focused on “fixing” or “educating” people, but instead on guiding them to find their own solutions.
- Inclusion: M.I. engages fathers and non-traditional families, bridges cultural differences, and is used in over 30 countries.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
- Parent Engagement
- Child Development
- Nutrition & Oral Health
- Family Planning
- Breastfeeding
- Vaccine Hesitancy
- Financial Stability
- Tobacco Cessation
- Mental Health & Substance Abuse
- Domestic Violence
CLIENTS
- Fort Worden Early Childhood Conference
- Migrant Head Start/EHS
- National Indian Head Start Directors Conference
- Oregon Child Development Coalition
- Eastern WA Univ EHS
- Whidbey Island ECEAP
- OlyCAP
- Olympic ESD
- Puget Sound ESD
- Snohomish County HS/EHS and ECEAP