Dr. Donna Housman | Founder of Housman Institute

Background

Dr. Donna Housman, founder of Housman Institute, has over thirty-five years of experience as a psychologist in the field of child development and early childhood education, and previously founded and ran a successful early childhood school where she developed the ECSEL approach.

Vision

"Emotion is our first language. From a baby’s first cry, we have an unparalleled opportunity to inform and shape the patterning of the brain’s architecture for lifelong learning, mental health, well-being, and success."

- Dr. Donna Housman

Dr. Housman's evidence-based begin to ECSEL® approach builds emotional intelligence from birth, promoting self-regulation and empathy for 

lifelong learning, mental health, and well-being.

What Makes ECSEL Unique

By focusing on the emotional foundations of learning and cognition, ECSEL strengthens emotional competence in both educators and students, creating more joyful classrooms today and lifelong success in the future.

Dr. Housman founded the Housman Institute with the belief that it's easier to prevent issues than to repair them—and a mission to bring ECSEL to teachers and children everywhere.

Publications

Dr. Housman's peer-reviewed research detailing the success of the begin to ECSEL approach has been published in the  International Journal of Emotional Education, The International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, and Journal of Early Child Development and Care, demonstrating that children who experience begin to ECSEL significantly improve and outperform their peers on these critical skills and competencies. 

Her contributions have appeared in:

• The New York Times,
• Boston Globe,
• MarketWatch,
• Yahoo Finance,
• The Street,
• Boston Business Journal,
• Commonwealth Magazine,
• Education Weekly, 
• WBUR

National and International Influence

Dr. Housman is an active presenter and speaker both nationally and internationally. She has been featured by organizations including:

• Education Research Association (AERA)
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
• Zero to Three, Harvard China Education Symposium, among many others.
• Founding executive board member and treasurer of the Massachusetts Association for Infant Mental Health, a subchapter of the World Association for Infant Mental Health.
• Member of the Children's Health Task Force, Coalition of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
• Board member of the New England Center for Children (NECC).

Play the video below to hear Dr. Donna Housman featured on WCVB, speaking on recognizing signs of anxiety in children, and what can be done to help children manage their emotions.