It’s time to end preschool suspensions and expulsions

Suspension and expulsion of students, whether administered directly or informally, are ineffective and harmful disciplinary practices.

• For children, being essentially rejected through this process can lead to a lifelong struggle with self-image and trusting others which can lead to other significant consequences. 
• For parents, suspensions/expulsions lead to disruptions in their lives which could lead to significant emotional and financial stress.
• It is well documented that boys, Black children and those with either developmental delays or mental health issues are suspended or expelled at a higher rate than their peers.  

To keep children learning, early childhood educators need to be trained to understand trauma and to respond appropriately. This will require support and professional development including:

• Strategies that promote social-emotional development
• Recognition of implicit bias 
• Awareness of early childhood mental health symptoms 
• Access to developmental/mental health consultation/intervention

Our Approach
Dr. Nancy C. Osborn and KC Healthy Kids’ staff will conduct outreach to centers to assess interest, engage centers in programming, and develop capacity to provide professional development, training/coaching, mental health consultation and policy development.
Core tenents:

• Disciplinary actions need to be developmentally appropriate.
• Educators need to understand the reason for a child’s behavior and gain skills to respond appropriately.
• A trauma informed care perspective is an impactful strategy.
• BIPOC voices need to be centered and BIPOC leaders engaged. Implicit bias must be addressed. 
• A bi-state coalition of early childhood care providers, healthcare, mental health and community organizations is necessary.

For more information, contact Dr. Nancy C Osborn at ncosborn@kchealthykids.org