Do the teachers have tools and strategies for addressing issues of disability and inclusion?
The teachers task is to show all children how to work and play together. Characteristics to look for include: • Teachers introduce disability awareness using childrens books, puppets, dolls, and pictures before a child with special needs starts in the program. • Teachers let all children explore equipment used by children with special needs. • Children are paired as buddies, giving them an organized way to get to know each other. The child with special needs should have a chance to be a helper in the buddy relationship, not only a recipient of assistance. • Is there a comprehensive system for evaluating the effectiveness of the program? Evaluation of the inclusive early childhood program is important for purposes of improvement and expansion. It is recommended that the evaluation design be multi-dimensional. Characteristics to look for include: • Evaluations by parents and staff should be analyzed yearly. • Training for staff and parents should come from their choices. • Evaluation of
