An inclusive early childhood classroom house is an intentional atmosphere that promotes each bodily and emotional growth. On this episode, host Nancy Chung interviews early childhood knowledgeable Jennifer Fernandez, and we welcome again Cecilia Cruse, MS, OTR/L, to debate methods to create an early childhood house and modify it to encourage independence and inclusivity.
Full of life and Participating Setting
Essential issues for creating an enticing early childhood house embody offering a transparent spatial boundary definition. If deep contact stress enter isn’t obtainable, there are lots of objects that can be utilized as spot markers. Generally utilized in bodily training, a set of coloured tiles or tactile shapes work nicely as visible “seed spots” to set clear boundary expectations.
A lot of our youngsters want that further boundary enter in order that they know the place they’re in house, as a result of their very own physique doesn’t register nicely sufficient but. So these are children that fall off their chair or crash into different children. We have now to arrange very clear boundaries that give deep contact stress to their physique, if potential. But when not, at the least a visible cue, like a spot marker or painter’s tape on the ground, whether or not it’s color-based or shape-based, in order that they know the place they belong in house.
Cecilia Cruse
Open, Spacious, and Litter-free
An early childhood classroom ought to embody objects which might be purposeful and intentional. Every thing from acoustics to paint palette will have an effect on younger learners. The appropriate manipulatives must be inclusive and assist college students develop high quality motor abilities. If there’s an excessive amount of coloration or the room is just too shiny, light-dampening shades may help relieve added stress and overstimulation from fluorescent lighting.
The instructor ought to have the ability to know the ‘why’ behind every thing in your classroom. Why are you utilizing this piece of furnishings? Why do you’ve got this materials out? Which is sort of a frightening factor to think about as a instructor. Can I clarify every thing in my classroom? However when you have been purposeful and intentional, it is best to have the ability to try this.
Jennifer Fernandez
Encourage Independence and Inclusivity
As mentioned in a earlier episode, there are a variety of the way to create an enticing sensory house that’s appropriate for everybody. You possibly can even flip frequent classroom supplies into adaptive instruments that promote inclusivity within the classroom. An inclusive common design is adaptive for college kids with particular wants and encourages unbiased studying for all early childhood college students.
Jennifer Fernandez – Early Childhood Topic Matter Professional at College Specialty
Jennifer has over 30 years of expertise in training. She has a BA in Elementary Schooling & Spanish and a Grasp’s in Bilingual Schooling. She has taught PreK4-2nd grade usually & bilingual/twin language settings in Texas, Minnesota, and Mexico Metropolis. She was an expert studying specialist for PreK4SA in San Antonio for seven years. Jennifer is at the moment the nationwide Early Childhood Topic Matter Professional at College Specialty, the place she helps gross sales, advertising, and merchandising within the early childhood class, supplies skilled growth, and presents at state and nationwide early childhood conferences all through the nation.
Cecilia Cruse MS, OTR/L – Particular Wants Topic Matter Professional at College Specialty
Cecilia obtained her BS diploma in Occupational Remedy from the College of Florida and her Grasp’s in Schooling from Georgia State College. She is SIPT (Sensory Integration & Praxis Check) licensed. She has over 30 years of expertise in pediatrics with school-based companies (together with preschool and Head Begin applications), acute care, and outpatient pediatric settings, together with Augusta College in Georgia and Kids’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Ceremony. Cecilia has expertise as a marketing consultant, creator, and lecturer, together with TV appearances equivalent to CNN’s Well being Watch. She has authored a number of articles for skilled periodicals and magazines and has served as a coach, marketing consultant, and repair supplier in a number of college techniques. Cecilia is at the moment the Topic Matter Professional for Abilitations and College Specialty’s Particular Wants Division, the place she often consults with Studying Setting Specialists to make suggestions for inclusive and sensory-friendly areas and school rooms. She additionally lectures nationwide on sensible sensory options for educators and therapists.
