Indigenous Early Childhood Education
Transforming Native communities, starting with our earliest learners
Strengthening Systems of Care and Learning with Native Communities
The American Indian College Fund (College Fund), in collaboration with Tribal Colleges and Universities, engages in early childhood education (ECE) initiatives that draw upon child development knowledge from within Native communities melded with the best practices identified in the field of early childhood education.
Indigenous Early Childhood Education Programs
Learn more about our TCU grant programs to support Indigenous children.
Strategic Planning and Building TCU ECE Family Engagement
Active Program Dates: 2020-2021
The Strategic Planning and Building TCU ECE Family Engagement program involved a $200,000 grant that supported 7 TCUs with family engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as supported the development of a strategic plan for the next 1, 4, and 7 years of the American Indian College Fund’s Indigenous Early Childhood Education (IECE) programming.
For the Wisdom of the Children: Strengthening the Teacher of Color Pipeline
Active Program Dates: 2018-2020
For the Wisdom of the Children: Strengthening the Teacher of Color Pipeline is the latest American Indian College Fund early childhood education (ECE) initiative thanks to a two-year, $1.5 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
Restorative Teachings Early Childhood Education Initiative
Active Program Dates: 2016-2018
The College Fund in collaboration with Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), is implementing a $1.5 million dollar early childhood education (ECE) initiative that draws upon the child development knowledge from within Native communities melded with the best practices identified in the field of early childhood education.
Cultivating Lakota Early Childhood Learning Opportunities
Active Program Dates: 2015-2016
Partnering with Sitting Bull College the project seeks to develop a scope and sequence of a pre-K Lakota immersion language curriculum, improve family engagement strategies, create an early learning language immersion assessment system, and strengthen the knowledge and skill of Lakota immersion language teachers.
Ké’ Early Childhood Education Family Engagement Initiative
Active Program Dates: 2014-2015
The Ké’ Early Childhood Initiative (Ké’ ECE Initiative) supports tribal college grantees and their tribal and community partners in deepening their engagement with Native families in the education of their children, starting from birth to age 8.
Wakanyeja – Early Childhood Education Initiative
Active Program Dates: 2011-2016
The American Indian College Fund, through the Wakanyeja “Sacred Little Ones” – Tribal College Readiness and Success by Third Grade, is working to bring together tribal colleges, communities, educators, and families to address early learning disparities in Native communities.
Indigenous Early Childhood Education Blogs
Read important Program News from the team at College Fund.
Indigenous ECE Family Engagement Webinar with Janice LaFloe
The American Indian College Fund’s Strategic Planning and Building TCU ECE Family Engagement Grant provides TCUs support for family engagement and wellness in Native communities during the pandemic. This may include sending families early childhood learning kits, organizing virtual story time or language lessons, or assisting families with meals and basic needs.
For the Wisdom of the Children Meets COVID-19
By Janine Pease, For the Wisdom of the Children LBHC Project Director Just as we were rounding the turn to the last leg of the school year, the COVID-19 Pandemic hit. The Montana governor declared a Shelter in Home order in response to the coronavirus, and all public...
Using Social Media to Strengthen SIPI’s Teacher of Color Pipeline
I am a member of the Navajo Nation from the Ramah-Navajo reservation attending the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), where I am majoring in early childhood education (ECE).
Other Programs
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How to Help
Currently only 14.5% of American Indians hold college degrees. But with 42% of Native Americans being 24 years old or younger, you have the opportunity to make an incredible impact for this generation and generations to come when you donate today.