Individuality and Inclusive Practices for Early Childhood

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With great anticipation and excitement, the fourth edition of the听Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs听book has arrived. This updated text is the culminating work of many, having drawn on the diverse voices and expertise within and outside of the organization.
This edition reflects both similarities to and changes from past position statements and books on developmentally appropriate practice (DAP). For example, the three core considerations鈥攌nowledge of principles of child development and learning, knowledge about each child as an individual, and knowledge about the social and cultural contexts in which each child lives鈥攃ontinue to frame expectations for the work of early childhood professionals. However, a significant change is the emphasis on children鈥檚, families, and educators鈥 social, historical, and cultural contexts. Alongside 强奸视频鈥檚 initiatives toward advancing equity, DAP today means responding to a 鈥渃all to action, committing to work collectively to address the ways in which current realities constrain the full potential of all young children as we continue to reflect and learn from multiple, diverse perspectives.鈥
This cluster of听Young Children听articles takes up that call by digging deeper into the core consideration of听individuality听and guidelines related to听inclusion听and听individualized听teaching and learning, offering听in-depth听descriptions of approaches to meet each child where they are. Individuality involves recognizing and being responsive to the unique strengths, interests, experiences, and needs of each child and family. By understanding that individual variations not only exist but should be expected, educators can plan for and implement inclusive practices and environments. Inclusion means that every child, with and without disabilities, can engage as fully as possible in their learning community and feel that they belong.
DAP encourages the use of Universal Design for Learning principles and practices to help create caring communities of learners and to teach to enhance children鈥檚 learning. Educators can plan, teach, and assess through multiple modes, strategies, and materials within everyday routines and activities. In collaboration with colleagues and families, effective educators 鈥渟ee that each child gets the adaptations and specialized services needed for full inclusion as a member of the community and that no child is penalized for their ability status.鈥
Throughout the cluster articles and in the Rocking and Rolling column, you will find direct connections to these specific concepts and practices, as framed by the position statement and the newest edition of DAP.
Opening the cluster, Christan G.听Coogle, Emily R. Lakey, Jennifer R.听Ottley, Jennifer A. Brown, and Mollie K. Romano define and elaborate on five steps to creating, carrying out, and evaluating "Embedded Learning Opportunities for Children with and Without Disabilities."听This instructional approach helps educators integrate adaptations and supports into early learning programs, building from a child鈥檚 strengths to address targeted areas of focus.
Next, Alissa Rausch, Jaclyn Joseph, Phillip S. Strain, and Elizabeth A. Steed explore "Fostering Engagement Within Inclusive Settings: The Role of the Physical-Social-Temporal Environment in Early Childhood Settings."听Through a series of vignettes, the authors identify key, yet simple, modifications that teachers made during everyday classroom situations to increase a focal child鈥檚 engagement in their learning environment.
Shifting to the concept of disability specifically, Sue Mankiw examines past and current perspectives related to "Teaching Young Children About Disability."听Mankiw shares research about children鈥檚 developing ideas and beliefs about disability. Then, she outlines four specific ways to foster children鈥檚 positive attitudes and accurate knowledge about disability.
Accompanying this is a piece by Lori Erbrederis Meyer, who delves into "Including Disability in Early Childhood Curricula: Evaluating and Using Children鈥檚 Books."听In addition to outlining guidelines for examining children鈥檚 books, Meyer presents five recently published texts that discuss and illustrate different disabilities that align with a strengths-based perspective.
The final two cluster articles broaden the lens on ability-appropriate practices. Alison Mellott describes an initiative for "Tearing Down Silos: A Model for Interagency Collaboration."听Spanning across two counties and the coordination of professionals at the local and state levels, this model provides early learning programs, children, and families with prompt and responsive supports toward inclusion and the reduction of suspension and expulsion from early childhood settings.
Related to collaboration, in "Building Strong Family听and Professional Partnerships from the Start: Highlights from the ASD Literature,"听Melissa A. Sreckovic, Tia R. Schultz, Christine K. Kenney, and Kelly Crenshaw highlight the essential role of family-professional partnerships in effectively educating and caring for children with diverse abilities, including children with autism spectrum disorder. Recognizing the complexities of such partnerships, the authors note commonly experienced barriers for families and educators during IEP meetings and implementation services. They also explain evidence-based, partnership-focused strategies for addressing each barrier.
This cluster of articles encourages you to consider potential transformations in approaches toward individuality and inclusive practices. Changes may be small, such as a modification made during snack time or daily morning meetings; changes may be significant, such as discussing disability openly and regularly over time. Changes may mean reconsidering how you coordinate or collaborate with colleagues and families.
There are many benefits to digging deeper into our thinking about and practices for children with different abilities. When we believe that every child can learn and every child belongs and we respond accordingly, we are enacting DAP.
鈥擜nnie Moses
Making Connections to DAP
强奸视频 defines developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) as 鈥渕ethods that promote each child鈥檚 optimal development and learning through a strengths-based, play-based approach to joyful, engaged learning.鈥
The position statement includes three core considerations, nine principles of child development and learning, and six guidelines to help educators, administrators, higher education faculty, and others in making decisions and taking actions to align with DAP.
Close attention to and reflection on each of these components are necessary to fully understand and implement DAP. Reflecting on how DAP connects to classroom scenarios you read about, observe, or participate in also helps make the ideas and expectations described in the position statement and expanded upon in听Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs: Serving Children From Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition more concrete and achievable.
This issue of听Young Children听was inspired by and aligns with the DAP position statement. It offers content to support readers in understanding and reflecting on specific concepts related to adapting approaches for children with a range of individual needs. More specifically, you will notice connections to the DAP principles and guidelines listed on page 6. As you read, think about the following reflection questions as you ask, 鈥淲hat does DAP look and sound like in action?鈥
- Which of the principles and guidelines are reflected in this article?
- How are educators making decisions as guided by the three core considerations?
- How do the ideas, practices, and materials described in this article apply in your own setting and teaching?
- Looking at the position statement, are there other important DAP concepts you see being addressed in these articles?
Key Concepts from the 强奸视频 DAP Position Statement
- Core consideration 2:听Individuality鈥攖he characteristics and experiences unique to each child, within the context of their family and community, that have implications for how best to support their development and learning.
- Principle 4:听Although general progressions of development and learning can be identified, variations due to cultural contexts, experiences, and individual differences must also be considered.
- Principle 8:听Development and learning advance when children are challenged to achieve at a level just beyond their current mastery and when they have many opportunities to reflect on and practice newly acquired skills.
- Guideline 1, section A:听Each member of the community is valued by the others and is recognized for the strengths they bring.
- Guideline 2, section F:听Educators involve families as a source of information about the child (before program entry and on an ongoing basis).
- Guideline 3, section B:听Assessment focuses on children鈥檚 progress toward developmental and educational goals.
- Guideline 4, section B:听Educators use their knowledge of each child and family to make learning experiences meaningful, accessible, and responsive to each and every child.
- Guideline 4, section C:听Educators effectively implement a comprehensive curriculum so that each child attains individualized goals across all domains (physical, social, emotional, cognitive, linguistic, and general learning competencies) and across all subject areas (language and literacy, including second language acquisition, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music, physical education, and health).
- Guideline 4, section F:听Educators know how and when to scaffold children鈥檚 learning.
- Guideline 4, section H:听Educators differentiate instructional approaches to match each child鈥檚 interests, knowledge, and skills.
Ms. Diuguid鈥檚 class of 2- and 3-year-olds explores with pastel paints. This is one of many art and sensory explorations done in her classroom to foster development across domains. As she shares, 鈥淢uch of what we do is process with no product in sight.鈥
Is your classroom full of children鈥檚 artwork?听To feature it in听Young Children, see the link at the bottom of the page or email听[email protected]听for details.
We鈥檇 love to hear from you!
Send your thoughts on this issue, and on topics you鈥檇 like to read about in future issues of听Young Children, to听[email protected].
Would you like to see your children鈥檚 artwork featured in these pages? For guidance on submitting print-quality photos (as well as details on permissions and licensing),
see听.
Annie Moses, PhD, is director of periodicals at 强奸视频 and听serves as听editor in chief of听Young Children听and听Teaching Young Children.
