Inclusion Resources / Tip Sheets This page collects inclusion related resources to help providers and parents learn more about the practice of inclusion and how best to support children with disabilities within early care settings. The resources below are organized by category in hopes of making it easier to find the information you are looking for. * Please note that there are numerous links found within the other Early Childhood Inclusion pages that are not included in this list. Inclusive Practices, Activities and Supports Evidence-Based Practice Evidence-based practice is the process of pulling together the best available research, knowledge from professional experts, and data from children and their caregivers in order to identify and provide services that are proven to achieve positive outcomes for children. DEC Recommended Practices Modules Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP) CONNECT Modules: Using Evidence Based Practices Evidence-Based Practice - Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) Evidence-Based Practices that Support Inclusion 10 Effective Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) Teaching Strategies (NAEYC) Universal Support Strategies (Barton Lab - Vanderbilt Univ.) NEW Playing to Learn Infographics (Barton Lab - Vanderbilt Univ.) NEW Inclusion, Diversity and Acceptance - Dignity and Disability (Barton Lab - Vanderbilt Univ.) NEW Brain-Building Though Play: Games and Activities for Infants, Toddlers and Children (Center on the Developing Child) NEW Social and Emotional Supports - Challenging Behavior Social and Emotional Evidence-Based Practices - Pyramid Model (National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations) The Pyramid Model for Promoting Social and Emotional Development Fostering Emotional Literacy in Young Children - Head Start ECLKC Mindfulness in Early Childhood - Pre-K Teach & Play Social Emotional Development/Child Guidance - pdf list of resources from Frank Porter Graham, UNC Wisconsin Pyramid Model - Wi-AIMH Webpage Challenging Behavior Tips for Making Visuals to Support Young Children with Challenging Behavior - CSEFEL Building Environments that Encourage Positive Behavior (NAEYC) Pyramid Model Behavior Solutions Classroom Kit Home Kit Early Childhood Behavior Management (IRIS Center) Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviors (Virtual Lab School) Understanding and Responding to Children who Bite (NAEYC) Toddlers and Biting: Finding the Right Response (Zero to Three) Understanding Behavior (Barton Lab - Vanderbilt Univ.) NEW Visual Supports Visual Solutions for Routines, Schedules, and Transitions (Pyramid Model) Create Visual Supports (ConnectABILITY) - Create your own visuals for free Classroom Visuals and Supports - Head Start ECLKC Visual Supports for Learning - Teaching Young Children Using Visual Schedules (Barton Lab - Vanderbilt Univ.) NEW Making Accommodations or Adaptations CARA's Kit: Creating Adaptations for Routines and Activities (Mini-Posters) (Checklist) (Purchase) How to Adapt Toys for Toddlers (Penfield Children's Center) Helping Staff Adapt the Learning Environment - Virtual Lab School Rocking and Rolling: Empowering Infants' and Toddlers' Learning Through Scaffolding - NAEYC Adapting the Child Care Environment - Childcare Extension Early Literacy Activities with Adaptations (Center for Early Literacy Learning) Making Adaptations to Support a Variety of Needs (DCF Presentation - pdf) A Guide to Adaptations (Frank Porter Graham - STEMIE) NEW Disability Specific Information Special Education Disability Categories - Department of Public Instruction (DPI) About Specific Disabilities - Parent Center Hub Categories of Disability under IDEA Part B (children 3-21 years) Developmental Disabilities - CDC Disability and Health Overview - CDC Federal Policy Statements Department of Education (DOE) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs This policy was released on September 14, 2015, by the Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It states that "all young children with disabilities should have access to inclusive high-quality early childhood programs, where they are provided with individualized and appropriate support in meeting high expectations." The policy statement was written with the input of early learning professionals, families, and other early learning stakeholders. Though it focuses on including young children with disabilities, it is the DOE’s and DHHS’s shared vision that all people be meaningfully included in all facets of society throughout the course of their lives. This begins in early childhood programs and continues into schools, places of employment, and the broader community. Policy Statement on Expulsion and Suspension Practices in Early Childhood Settings The DOE and DHHS issued this policy statement to assist States and their public and private local early childhood programs in severely limiting and preventing expulsions and suspensions in early learning settings. Recent data indicates that expulsions and suspensions occur with regularity in preschool settings, a serious concern given the well-established research that indicates how these practices can influence a number of adverse outcomes across development, health, and education. Policy Statement on Family Engagement: From the Early Years to the Early Grades When families and the institutions where children learn partner in meaningful ways, children have more positive attitudes toward school, stay in school longer, have better attendance, and experience more school success. To further this position, the DOE and DHHS released this policy statement on the implementation of effective family engagement practices in early childhood and learning programs. Policy Statement on Supporting the Development of Children who are Dual Language Learners in Early Childhood Programs It is the vision of the DOE and DHHS that all early childhood programs adequately and appropriately serve the diverse children and families that make up this country. Programs should foster their cognitive, linguistic, social emotional, and physical development and prepare them for success in school and beyond. Additional Resources Joint Interdepartmental Review of All Early Learning Programs for Children Less Than 6 Years of Age U.S. Department of Early Learning Web Site (includes tabs for Inclusion, Families, etc.) Position Statements DEC and NAEYC Joint Position Statement on Early Childhood Inclusion Early Childhood Inclusion: A Joint Position Statement of the DEC and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) La inclusión en la infancia temprana: Declaración de posición conjunta de la División para la Infancia Temprana (Division for Early Childhood, DEC) y la Asociación Nacional para la Educación de Niños menores (National Association for the Education of Young Children, NAEYC) Division of Early Childhood Position Statements (complete list) Position Statement on Challenging Behavior and Young Children Promoting the Health, Safety and Well-being of Young Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays National Association for the Education of Young Children Position Statements and Standards Inclusion Tip Sheets Laws The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Child Development Helping Young Children Learn About Differences Encouraging Social Interaction Through Play Challenging Behaviors Behavior Basics Guiding Behavior: Reducing Children's Stress Environments Adapting Toys and Play Materials The Environment: Your Teaching Partner Field Trips for All Making Your Playground Accessible Program Strategies Be an Inclusive Child Care Provider The Language of Inclusion Power of a Positive Attitude: What's Your Attitude Toward Inclusion? Problem Solving Strategies Problem Solving Strategies Checklist Relationships Communication Basics Making Connections with Each Child Making Family Connections With Families, Together We're Better Resource Pages and Links Wisconsin Specific Resources Department of Health Services (DHS) - Services for Children with Delays or Disabilities Department of Public Instruction (DPI) - Special Education Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health (Wi-AIMH) - Wisconsin Pyramid Model Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating Partners Waisman Center - University of Wisconsin, Madison University Center for Excellence in Development Disabilities (UCEDD) List of Programs Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training and Support (WI FACETS) Disability Rights Wisconsin - Children with Disabilities Page Wisconsin Family Ties - Improving Children's Mental Health Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council - Providing assistance to Native American families of children with special needs National Resources and Organizations Division for Early Childhood (DEC) - Recommended Practices National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Family Engagement Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center Children with Disabilities National Center of Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning (NCECDTL) Head Start Center for Inclusion Zero To Three Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute Colorado Department of Education - Results Matter Video Library CDC Developmental Disabilities Developmental Milestones Virtual Lab School - Professional Learning Parent Center Hub If you have questions or concerns about a child's development (physical, social-emotional, or cognitive), contact: Well Badger Resource Center (formerly First Step Wisconsin) at 1-800-642-7837. Information about Early Identification/Screening, Child Find and other early childhood topics can be found at the Collaborating Partners website.
