Orange Early Childhood Center

What is Inclusion?

Inclusion means teaching all children together, regardless of ability level. Inclusive programs celebrate children’s similarities as well as their different abilities and cultures. In inclusive classrooms, children with special needs take part in the general education curriculum based on their ages and grades. They are not put into a separate classroom, but rather the curriculum and the room are adapted to meet children’s needs.

What does an inclusion teacher do?

The inclusion team plans ways to provide access, participation, and supports so all children can learn as independently as possible. People on an inclusion team are expected to have good communication skills. They are flexible and creative about meeting all children’s needs. An inclusion team consists of people from inside and outside the school who work together to support children with special needs

 How does inclusion work?

A child’s inclusion team meets regularly to plan how to make the curriculum, physical space, and special services fit together smoothly. The teacher makes changes based on input from the team. An inclusive preschool classroom might have

What does an inclusion team do?

The inclusion team plans ways to provide access, participation, and supports so all children can learn as independently as possible. People on an inclusion team are expected to have good communication skills. They are flexible and creative about meeting all children’s needs. An inclusion team consists of people from inside and outside the school who work together to support children with special needs:

• General education teachers teach the curriculum to all students.
• Special education teachers help general education teachers plan how to embed individual children’s goals and objectives into classroom routines and activities.
• Classroom assistants work with the teachers and therapists to support children’s full participation in classroom activities.
• Related service providers may be speech therapists, occupational therapists, or physical therapists. They help the classroom staff decide how to work with children who have special needs. They also help children develop skills and abilities needed to function well in the classroom, home, and community.
• Parents provide important information about their children’s progress and needs. They also support their child’s learning activities at home and in the community.
• Administrative staff members lead school programs. They also make sure that classroom staff members have the resources they need to work successfully with all children.