College of Education and Human Development

Institute of Child Development

Elizabeth Criswell

  • Pronouns: she, her, hers

  • Director of Undergraduate Studies for Early Childhood Programs; Early Childhood Curriculum Coordinator

Elizabeth Criswell

Areas of interest

Child care, Early childhood, Early childhood education, Infant and early childhood mental health, Social and emotional development, Special education, Stress and maltreatment, Teacher preparation

Degrees

MEd University of Minnesota
IMH-E®, Infant Family Specialist, Minnesota Association of Children’s Mental Health
MN Teaching License: Early Childhood Education, MN Teaching License: Early Childhood Special Education

Biography

Social and emotional development, early childhood mental health, educational theories and philosophies, special education and inclusion, dramatic play, educator support and retention.

I am the curriculum coordinator for and instructor in the early childhood education program. I have been working in the early childhood education field since 2001. I am interested in how educators can best assist young children as they develop social and emotional skills, develop self-regulation capacities, and build relationships with others. I am especially interested in how early care and education providers can support children who have experienced stress and trauma. I also focus on helping pre-service teachers connect with different educational theories as they develop their own teaching philosophies and approaches to teaching.

Courses taught

  • CPSY 5251W: Social and Philosophical Foundations of Early Childhood Education
  • CPSY 5252: Facilitating Social and Emotional Development in Early Childhood Education
  • CPSY 4314: Trauma Informed Care
  • CPSY 5261: Learning in Infancy and Toddlerhood