What is inclusion? Child care inclusion means that all children can attend and benefit from the same child care programs. Inclusion as a core principle in a pan-Canadian child care system would eliminate any exclusion based on [special abilities] and would go beyond non-discrimination – assuring that children with disabilities get the support they need to benefit from child care. The principle of inclusion fully incorporates basic values that promote and advance participation, friendship and a celebration of diversity. *
Inclusion requires full collaboration between caregivers, families and specialists to ensure the needs of all children are met.
There are six elements to supporting inclusion in child care:
- A zero rejection policy – all children are welcome.
- Natural proportions – programs include children with disabilities in rough proportion to their presence in the population.
- Full participation – activities and routines are modified and adapted to include all children.
- Availability of program options – parents of children with disabilities have the same options that other parents have.
- Maximum feasible parent participation – parents are actively encouraged to participate in the child care program.
- Pro-action for community inclusion – staff and parents promote inclusion in the whole community.*
For your program to be inclusive it also needs:
- Child care directors who are inclusion leaders.
- Physical environments that are accessible.
- Staff who are properly trained and offer support.
To support inclusion in your program, train and encourage your team to:
- Communicate using inclusive language.
- Recognize and celebrate differences and similarities through words and actions. Celebrate even the smallest of accomplishments.
- Set up play situations to include children with varying strengths and abilities; identify each unique action with praise and encouragement.
- Encourage typically-developing children to support the children with special needs.
- Discover and implement into the program each child’s special interests, strengths and preferences.
- Understand that inclusion is a “team sport” and everyone needs to participate to ensure it works.
- Create partnerships with parents.
- Advocate and empower parents concerning the rights of children.
- Become familiar with the supports available to parents so that team members can guide parents.
Benefits of Inclusion:
Child care workers hone their skills when they learn to meet the needs of all children. When they learn to build on the capabilities of children with special needs, they become better attuned to those of all children. In turn, they gain confidence and competence. Inclusion is effective because it benefits everyone: children, families and society as a whole.
Newcomer children with special needs benefit from an inclusive quality care environment.
- A more varied and responsive environment.
- Opportunities to observe, interact with and imitate children who have acquired higher-level motor, social, language and cognitive skills.
- Opportunities to learn directly from other children. Certain skills are learned more easily from them. Their explanations and demonstrations are often closer to the capabilities of the child with special needs than of adults.
Typically developing children also benefit from a quality, inclusive learning environment.
- Peer tutoring – this promotes social interactions among all children, acceptable play behaviour and enhanced use of materials. The child doing the tutoring and the child being tutored both benefit significantly.
- Sensitivity development – inclusion helps typically-developing children to accept differences and become comfortable with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Parents of typically developing children find that their children are:
- More accepting of human differences.
- More comfortable with people who have developmental differences or who behave differently.
Parents of children with special needs are excited and gratified that their children are:
- Receiving the same opportunities and experiences.
- A part of everyday children’s activities like birthday parties and special events.
Inclusion results in a greater acceptance of individual differences. This acceptance is fostered in an inclusive learning environment. Children who grow up interacting with children with special needs tend to mature into adults with a greater understanding and respect for those who have diverse abilities. In time, inclusion can create a society that is accepting, understanding and inclusive for everyone.
RESOURCES:
*Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada, “What Do We Mean by Inclusion,” Oct., 2004. www.ccaac.ca
Ryerson University, School of ECE, GRC Staff, April, 2009.
The National Centre for Child Care Inclusion, SpeciaLink, 2004-2005. www.specialinkcanada.org
