Inclusion Success Factors
ACCESS: Providing access to a wide range of learning opportunities, activities, settings and environments is the first factor. Gaining access can include overcoming physical barriers in the school building or classroom environment, but also ensuring that every child has access to a developmentally appropriate general education curriculum.
PARTICIPATION: Even if environments are designed to facilitate access, some children will need additional individualized accommodations and support to participate fully in play and learning activities with peers and adults. These accommodations could include strategies like routine-based teaching or a focus on recognizing and supporting social and emotional development of young children.
SUPPORT: It is imperative to ask, what are the supports available for those who will be helping a child to participate and foster their sense of belonging? As we know, there is a need for systems-level support including professional development for general and special education early childhood administrators, educators, and allied professionals that allows for collaboration and communication between these school-based professionals and families.
