Ilene Schwartz, Ph.D., BCBA-D ilene@uw.edu Building Blocks for Supporting Children in Inclusive Preschool Programs Ilene Schwartz, Ph.D., BCBA-D ilene@uw.edu

Five take home messages: Children with challenging behaviors are children first Early intervention, including participation in inclusive programming, can result in remarkable, lifelong developmental changes Support participation through environmental arrangement Children with disabilities may need different levels of support in different developmental domains and in different activities Improve outcomes through explicit instruction

Think, Pair, Share What is your experience with inclusive early childhood education? What is your experience working with children with disabilities? What do you want to get out of this session? Share with your neighbor

The Building Blocks model provides a set of educational practices designed to help teachers do a more effective job of including and teaching young children with disabilities and other special needs in early childhood classrooms and settings.

Objectives To introduce the Building Block Framework To discuss strategies to implement intentional instruction in inclusive practices To introduce strategies to plan for inclusive instruction

What does inclusion mean? What does it mean for a young child to be successful in an early childhood classroom?

What does inclusion mean? Individuals define inclusion differently. Inclusion is about belonging and participating in a diverse society. What does it mean for a young child to be successful in an early childhood classroom? Sense of belonging Genuine child learning Opportunities to build friendships

Inclusion is not a set of strategies or a placement issue Inclusion is not a set of strategies or a placement issue. Inclusion is about belonging to a community – a group of friends, a school community, or a neighborhood. (Allen & Schwartz, p.4)

“Inclusion is a right, not a privilege for a select few” (Oberti v “Inclusion is a right, not a privilege for a select few” (Oberti v. Board of Education in Clementon School District, 1993).

Participation in valued routines, rituals and activities Skills Membership Relationships Community of Practice Participation in valued routines, rituals and activities

Using the Building Blocks model can help all children participate, learn, and thrive in their preschool classrooms. The goal is to meet children where they are and help them make meaningful progress to important outcomes.

Three important questions What are you going to teach? How are you going to teach those skills and behaviors? How will you know that your teaching has been effective?

Quality Early Childhood Program Child-focused Instructional Strategies Embedded Learning Opportunities Curriculum modifications & adaptations Quality Early Childhood Program

Quality Early Childhood Program The foundation Quality Early Childhood Program

Safe Engaging Responsive Culturally and linguistically relevant

Curriculum Modifications Quality Early Childhood Program & Adaptations Quality Early Childhood Program

What is curriculum modification? “ A change to the ongoing classroom activity or materials in order to facilitate or maximize a child’s participation in planned activities, interactions, and routines. “ — Sandall & Schwartz, 2008