All Aboard: Creating an Inclusive Classroom

3 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

Everyone Benefits from Inclusion

Page 5

Inclusion benefits:

Students with disabilities
Inclusion provides an environment in which children can be supported by and involved in the community that they live in. It gives them a chance to feel included while also learning in a developmentally appropriate way that is customized to the learner.

Classmates
Being immersed in a diverse environment will help with reducing stigma and teach children that everyone learns in their own way. Daily interactions with children who are different from them creates an opportunity to learn about diversity and compassion for others.

Parents
Enrolling a child in an inclusive early childhood program can give peace of mind in knowing that their child is able to interact with a diverse group of students while learning and socializing. Their children will also be able to get individualized accommodations in the classroom and still be challenged to succeed developmentally.

Educators
By providing an inclusive environment to students, educators are also learning about diversity. Teachers will also expand their knowledge about children with disabilities and the best way to accommodate them in the classroom. Educators that have had students in their classroom with disabilities will be better prepared to educate children with other types of disabilities.

The community
As a community, the effects of having inclusive classrooms for young learners can help to reduce stigma towards children with disabilities. For families that have little to no experience with disabilities, having a supportive and knowledgeable system to turn to is necessary.