The learning environment should be safe, healthy and supportive to develop young children’s exploration and independence. The learning environment should encourage children’s initiative, active exploration of materials, and sustained meaningful engagement with other children, adults, and activities. When the physical structure and organization of the learning environment meets quality standards, student engagement is increased and… Read more
Early Childhood
Early intervention and education for children with disabilities can have a positive impact on a child\’s cognitive and social development. Inclusion for early childhood programs supports the right of all children, regardless of abilities, to participate actively in natural settings within their communities. Natural settings include, but are not limited to: home, preschool, nursery school, Head Start program, kindergarten, neighborhood/community, school classroom, child care center, place of worship, recreational space, and other settings that young children and families enjoy.
The young child’s active participation should be guided by developmentally and individually appropriate curriculum. Access to and participation in age appropriate general curriculum becomes central to the identification and provision of specialized support services.
High quality early childhood programs form the foundation for high quality inclusive programs from which all children benefit. According the The Early Childhood Research Institute on Inclusion (ECRII), parents of children without disabilities participating in inclusive programs report positive changes in their children’s confidence, self-esteem, and understanding of diversity.
Quality Indicators of Inclusive Early Childhood Programs/Practices
September 1, 2015This is a collection of resources and indicators of high quality inclusive early childhood environments prepared by the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. Available resources and indicators of high quality inclusive practices are presented in this compilation. Assembling many different resources in one place allows for easy… Read more
Elements of Inclusive Education for Early Childhood Programs
August 19, 2015High quality early childhood programs form the foundation for high quality inclusive programs from which all children benefit. According the The Early Childhood Research Institute on Inclusion (ECRII), parents of children without disabilities participating in inclusive programs report positive changes in their children’s confidence, self-esteem, and understanding of diversity. The following elements of inclusive education… Read more
Tots-n-Tech: Assistive Technology for Infants and Toddlers
August 19, 2015The Tots ‘n Tech Research Institute (TnT) is an inter-university collaboration between Thomas Jefferson University (TJU), Philadelphia and Arizona State University (ASU), Tempe. TnT’s mission is to provide up-to-date information and resources about adaptations, including assistive technology, to use with infants and toddlers for states, Early Intervention providers of all disciplines, and families across the… Read more
Building the Foundation for School Success: Parent-Child Home Program
March 19, 2015Link: National Dropout Prevention Center/Network Parent-Child Home Program Preparing children to enter school with the cognitive and social-emotional skills they need to be successful students is critical to bridging the achievement gap. The Parent-Child Home Program, a school readiness program replicated in communities across the country, successfully prepares two- and three-year-olds to enter school ready to learn… Read more
Links to Early Childhood Resources
January 18, 2015Children’s Defense Fund A strong, independent voice for all children of America Education Talks:Early Childhood Maresa Duignan, Assistant Chief Inspector at the Department of Education and Skills, Ireland, discusses what ‘quality’ means in the context of early childhood education and care, and how it can be improved – both for children and for their teachers… Read more
Interview with an Early Childhood Intervention Expert
February 5, 2013The Inclusive Schools Network interviewed Kim Hammer, Director of the Bear Blvd School for Early Learning in Spring Branch ISD, an expert on early intervention and education for the February "Ask the Expert" segment. Q1: What are the benefits of Early Childhood education services for parents and students? A1: Nearly every educational benchmark (on grade… Read more
