Early Childhood Learning

Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) at UMBC is a chapter of HIPPY US – a nationwide program dedicated to supporting caregivers of young children. HIPPY believes that a love of learning begins at home, and that a parent is a child’s first and most important teacher.

The Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP), housed at UMBC’s George & Betsy Sherman Center, is building the next generation of bold, effective leaders driving change in early childhood education. Through this innovative workforce initiative, we are developing and empowering diverse leaders who are shaping policies, programs, and practices that ensure all Maryland children—especially those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable—have access to high-quality early learning experiences.

MECLP is helping Maryland set the national standard for cultivating transformative early childhood leadership. Together with our partners, we are:

• Strengthening outcomes for young children, families, and communities.
• Advancing statewide systems change through cross-sector leadership.
• Championing equity and access to high-quality early childhood care and education.
• Building a diverse, connected network of professionals recognized as change agents and leaders in the field.

ExpanThe George & Betsy Sherman Center builds on the work of the Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities.  The Center for Early Learning supported a range of innovative early childhood learning programs and research supporting communities, families, teachers and students from 2017-2024.der content

The goal of the Diverse Books Project is to supplement classroom libraries in our partner schools with high quality picture books that represent the experiences of the students in those classes as well as expose the students to cultures, experiences, and stories different than their own.