Inside Erikson | August 2024
a monthly comm(unity) newsletter
August 2024 - Welcome to the August edition of the Inside Erikson newsletter!
As summer comes to an end, we’re excited to welcome our students and faculty back for the 2024-2025 academic year. Erikson is also excited to announce that we will be hosting the 30th Annual Reconceptualizing Early Childhood Education Conference on November 1-4, 2024. Reconceptualizing Early Childhood Education (RECE) is dedicated to facilitating exchanges about work that challenges mainstream ideas regarding how young children learn and grow. We look forward to a fall semester full of enrichment and growth that will help us achieve justice for young children.
Erikson Updates
Exciting new partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics
Erikson Institute and the American Academy of Pediatrics, an organization of 67,000 pediatricians, are joining forces to train medical students and practicing pediatricians in Erikson’s Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) approach to relationship-building and reflective practice. FAN strengthens parent/pediatrician communication while addressing physician well-being through mindfulness and self-compassion practices. This groundbreaking partnership will introduce relationship-building and reflective practice in pediatric training and address pediatrician burnout and implicit bias. Read more about the partnership here.
Save the Date: Erikson’s 2024 Luncheon
Our 2024 Luncheon is October 22, featuring Ashley Judd, Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actress and mental wellness advocate, and Dr. Thomas Insel, a renowned neuroscientist and author. Individual ticket sales start in September. Learn more about this year’s luncheon and how to become a sponsor here.
Help Needed: Call for Newborns
Erikson’s Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate program is seeking expectant parents who would be interested in working with a student in the program’s Infant Observation course. We are seeking families who are expecting a baby any time from now through early October. For this course, students visit with the family twice a month for about an hour each visit. The visits can be in person or virtual. The family is not required to do anything special. The students are interested in learning from the family about their day-to-day routines and the joys and challenges of bringing a new baby into the family. Families who have participated in the observations in the past have loved the experience and have shared that they found the time with the student to be a support for their parenting. If you or someone you know might be interested in participating, please contact Program Director, Sarah Martinez.
Gold Star Alumni Series
The Gold Star Alumni Series aims to celebrate the exceptional individuals who have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also made a significant impact on their communities. Learn more about our August feature, Joseph Cella (MSECE ‘16) here.
Careers at Erikson
We’re hiring for a variety of roles that support our mission. Please check out new opportunities and share widely with your networks.
Erikson in the News
Dr. Jean Murphy, co-owner of Evanston’s YoFresh Cafe, and beloved former Erikson Institute professor, has put together a recommended reads book list for younger kids to enjoy for National Black Business Month. Check out her list in the Evanston RoundTable here.
About Erikson
Graduate Education
Recognized for our groundbreaking work in the field of early childhood, Erikson specializes in preparing child development, education, and social work leaders to improve the lives of young children, families, and their communities. For more information on our degree and certificate programs, visit our website or email our admissions team.
Clinical and Community Services
Erikson’s Center for Children and Families offers pediatric mental health services for children birth to age 8 and their families. Services can be provided in both English and Spanish, and are available to families regardless of their ability to pay.
Policy and Leadership
Erikson’s Policy and Leadership department engages leaders in government, business, and nonprofit sectors to inform effective policies that benefit children and families. They offer unique programming that equips decision-makers and influencers with the resources, skills, and deep knowledge about early childhood development that will support their efforts to make lasting change. Learn more about our Policy and Leadership
Give to Erikson
The first 1,800 days of life set the stage for a child’s long-term physical and emotional health, socioeconomic trajectory, life expectancy, happiness, and well-being. Can we count on you to make a gift to strengthen our ability to serve children and families, as well as our students, faculty, and staff, during this time? Your support for Erikson prepares the heroes in young children’s lives—teachers, social workers, civic leaders, parents and caregivers—to get them safely through this crisis so they can soar into promising futures.
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