EDU 221 2014sp The Exceptional Child

1. Inclusive Programs for
Young Children
The Exceptional Child: Inclusion in Early Childhood Education
K. Eileen Allen, Glynnis E. Cowdery
Chapter 3

2. Compare and Contrast
Quality
care
according
to
mothers
Quality
care
according
to best
practice

3. High Quality Care
• According to NAEYC
• Developmentally appropriate
• Age appropriate
• Individually appropriate
• Responsive to culture and social context of children and families
• For children with special needs, must include specialized services

4. Trilemma of High Quality Care
quality
availability
affordability

5. Various Programs
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Family childcare
Center childcare – in churches and in centers
Corporate childcare – not available in our area
Preschools – in our area, they are in churches (Rainbow Connection, Kids’ Place,
etc.)
Public school preschool programs – NC PreK; some in our schools, some at area
daycares
Community-based programs – not available in our area
Religious-based – Grace Christian, several church preschools in our area
Head Start – Federal Program at many of our public schools
School-Age Programs – Examples: After School programs
Recreation Programs – Examples: YMCA, City Park

6. Supports and Services
• Staff knowledge of disability
• Individualized therapy (OT, PT, speech)
• Support personnel
• Best practices
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Research based
Value-based
Family-centered
Multicultural
Cross-disciplinary
Age appropriate
Normalized

7. Inclusive Programs – Birth to Two
• Secure, responsive relationships and attachments
• Intentional communication
• Safe and secure environment
• Predictable routines
• Engaging equipment and materials
• Respectful, reciprocal relationships with families
• How does this differ from high quality childcare for ALL children. . . Or
does it?

8. Inclusive Programs – Three to Five
• Positive physical and social classroom environment
• Caring relationships
• Supportive and challenging learning environments that promote
independence
• Promote all areas of development
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Social-emotional
Communication and literacy development
Physical development
Creative development
• Respectful, reciprocal relationships with parents

9. Inclusive Programs – Six to Eight
• Developmentally appropriate classrooms
• Promote lifelong learning in a community of learners
• Learner centered
• Active play
• Integrated curriculum
• Promote positive social-emotional development
• Assessment of learning
• Respectful, reciprocal relationship with parents