About this course
Teacher-Child Interaction Training–Universal (TCIT-U) is an adaptation of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) designed to strengthen teacher-child interactions and classroom management in school settings, including early childhood classrooms, day cares, and elementary schools. As a universal model, TCIT-U provides support to all children in a classroom rather than targeting only children with behavioral difficulties. Recent research has demonstrated improvements in teacher skills and self-efficacy, as well as short-term improvements in child behavior, and has identified positive teacher practices as mechanisms contributing to improved child social-emotional functioning. Research examining implementation has also found TCIT-U to be acceptable and feasible while highlighting the importance of training and coaching, organizational fit, administrative support, and attention to competing priorities.
This symposium moves from research to real-world practice, highlighting implementation experiences across districts, educational cooperatives, and early learning support services. Following a brief overview of TCIT-U, four TCIT-U coaches and trainers will describe how they have implemented the model in their communities, including approaches to training and coaching, strategies for building organizational buy-in, facilitators and barriers to implementation, and efforts to support reach and sustainability. Presenters will share practice-based observations regarding changes in child behavior and social-emotional functioning, teacher confidence and skills, and the feasibility of implementing TCIT-U across classrooms and programs.
The symposium will conclude with a synthesis of common themes and practical lessons for implementing and sustaining TCIT-U in school systems, followed by discussion and questions.
