CONSULTATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENTS

PURPOSES OF CONSULTATION Address the initial concerns and goals Prepare consultees with skills to deal effectively with future concerns (Caplan, 1970; Gutkin &c Curtis, 1982

SUPPORTING INCLUSION As early childhood professionals and parents of children with disabilities continue to advocate for inclusive, community based early care and education programs they have been presented with challenges which include... (Palsha) 1)Modifying programs designed primarily for children without special needs. 2)Modifying programs designed for children with special needs

1)Has there ever been a consultant in your early childhood environment ? Have you ever served as a consultant in your own work environment? 2) What was this experience like for the people involved? 3) What happened in result of the consultation? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

IN-SERVICE EDUCATION MODEL -2 day In-service Training with staff. -Readings (rating scales, relevant articles, consultation stages and skills) were provided to staff prior to training -Following training consultees implemented the model with the consultants. This was voluntary. -Success measured by consultees opinion on training and success of the changes in environment and technical assistance -Scored 4.9 on a 5-point (highly satisfied) Likert Scale

COLLABORATING IN THE CLASSROOM ADAPTATIONS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

DESIGN TECHNIQUES, THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Infants and toddlers explore by using their senses. They will touch, taste, look at and interact with the materials in their environment. Because they learn in this way the environment must be designed with “many opportunities to physically explore real materials”(early childhood news.com) In the video we are going to watch, notice how many real life items have been brought into the classroom, especially in the “food laboratory” and the indoor garden.

THE VISUAL ENVIRONMENT Many classrooms are so filled with “stuff” and commercial decorations, that children can become visually overwhelmed. Children have an opportunity to show their pride in their own art work, if this is displayed in the classroom.

AUDITORY ENVIRONMENT “music and sound patterns stimulate several portions of the young child’s brain” (earlychildhoodnews.com) Knowing this, we should provide opportunities for music making with simple rhythm instruments.

WHY IS ENVIRONMENT SO IMPORTANT? HAVE YOU EVER FELT OVERWHELMED IN A ROOM? “Children who have the opportunity to develop in an organized and appropriate environment are challenged to think and use materials in new ways”. (earlychildhoodnews.com)

ENVIRONMENT PLANNING, DOES THE SPACE ALLOW FOR Personal storage Dramatic play Music and movement Napping Diapers Art Sensory play Quiet area Literacy Manipulatives Floor play CAN YOU THINK OF OTHER IMPORTANT AREAS?