Like many babies born around the time of the COVID-19 shutdowns, 4-year-old Cole grew up watching Cocomelon and Bluey... too much screen time and social isolation took a toll on Cole's development. His mom said he was 'pretty much nonverbal' when he was 3 years old.
Suspending or expelling children from preschool for hitting, biting, and other challenging behavior is surprisingly common. It happens way more often to Black children, boys, and children with learning differences than others, according to the most recent federal civil rights data.
California recently toughened rules around exclusionary discipline at preschools and child care centers that receive state funding, but implementing them has been tough for providers who are still dealing with stressed-out teachers, kids with fewer social skills, and other long-lasting effects of the pandemic.
The rules specifically prohibit teachers from sending children to another room or home in the middle of the day because of their behavior.
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