Advances in Understanding Inclusion[1]

Camille Catlett

Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute Chapel Hill, North Carolina USA

What is inclusion?

DEC/NAEYC. (2009). Early childhood inclusion: A joint position statement of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Chapel Hill: UNC, FPG Child Development Institute.

Early childhood inclusion embodies the values, policies, and practices that support the right of every infant and young child and his or her family, regardless of ability, to participate in a broad range of activities and contexts as full members of families, communities, and society. The desired results of inclusive experiences for children with and without disabilities and their families include a sense of belonging and membership, positive social relationships and friendships, and development and learning to reach their full potential. The defining features of inclusion that can be used to identify high quality early childhood programs and services are access, participation, and supports.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, & U.S. Department of Education. (2015). Policy statement on inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood programs. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services & U.S. Department of Education.

What do we know about inclusion?

Fact Sheet of Research on Preschool Inclusion

Early Childhood Inclusion: Challenges and Strategies from the 2014 Preschool Inclusion Survey

Preschool Inclusion: Key Findings from Research and Implications for Policy

What do children have to say about inclusion?

Deaf Children Talk About Inclusion

Dear Teacher

What are five evidence-based practices that can support increased inclusion?

  1. Support families to be confident advocates for their children

Sambhavam Project at MNC

Saamarthya Voice Project #2: Swapna (A Sibling Perspective)

  1. Promote opportunities for children to play together
  1. Change how teachers are prepared

The Blueprint Process for Enhancing Early Childhood Preservice Programs and Courses

Moni Day, Ambedkar University

Shivani Pandit, Saamarthya Foundation

  1. Know where to get good information about how to support each and every child

Resources to Support Inclusive Practices

Classroom Routine Support Guides

These guides were developed to assist teachers and caregivers in problem-solving a plan to support young children who are having challenging behavior. Organized around the routines/activities that would typically occur in an early childhood setting, the guide is designed to help early childhood professionals understand the purpose or meaning of the behavior, and to support them to select strategies to make the behavior irrelevant, inefficient, and ineffective.

  • Routine-Based Support Guide (3-5)
  • Early Elementary K-2nd Grade
  1. Ban the average; design to the edges

The Myth of Average

Focus on the long-term outcomes: Bumblebees

1

[1]Handouts and PowerPoints from this presentation are available at