Laura works with early childhood professionals and parents to help them create an environment of optimal social and emotional growth for children. She is passionate about supporting adults by offering the safety and connection they inherently need, yet may not have experienced fully in their own childhood. Laura builds her life’s work on the concept that offering to others what […]
Laura Abbe
Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor
Marshalltown, IA
More About Laura Abbe
Experience
Laura has been in the early childhood and family support field since 2008. She began as an Early Head Start home visitor before shifting to leadership roles that include coordinating services, coaching teachers and home visitors, and working with leadership and administrative teams. Laura has served on several state-wide leadership and professional development committees, and was appointed to the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Advisory Council by the governor of Iowa.
Specialization
Laura specializes in coaching and consulting with leadership and administrative teams, home visitors, teachers, and parents. In addition to professional development with adults, she works with staff who support pregnant women and caregivers of children 0-5 years old. Laura excels at developing individualized consulting plans and facilitating group trainings.
Certification
Family Support Supervisor Certification – Iowa
High Impact Leadership – Iowa
Parents as Teachers
Home Visitor Rating Scale Assessor (HOVRS)
Education
Bachelor of Social Work; University of Northern Iowa
Recent
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More About Laura Abbe
“I was given a basket of baby dolls and a book on Baby Doll Circle Time. For the past few years, I’ve been going through the motions without any feeling, and now I understand the intent behind it.”
“I always thought Conscious Discipline was something only a teacher needed to know for classrooms. I can now see how it is intended for all types of program models, including home visiting, because it really is about my own beliefs and skills first.”
“Families in Head Start value their child’s safety the most. Conscious Discipline allows us to create a foundation of safety, so caregivers can go to school or work, and it’s one less thing they have to worry about. It’s one less thing they have to channel mental, physical, and emotional energy into, creating more room for them to focus on their own needs and wellness.”
“There are so many things I can coach home visitors with leading in terms of weekly routines and rituals within each home visit. It’s a way to honor each family’s personal culture.”
“Sometimes we are the first “Safe Place” for the staff we work with and the parents we serve. When they feel safe with us, they can create a felt sense of safety within their families, classrooms, and teams. When staff and parents feel seen, heard, and valued, it really changes all relationships each person has.”
“Working with families who have experienced or are experiencing trauma, like supporting pregnant women and expectant fathers in domestic violence - now is the time to be coaching them with active calming, mindfulness, and be their co-regulators who coach them through self-regulation, so they can co-regulate with their child. I can see how unborn children are still in need of co-regulators.”
