In a collaborative effort between Club 21 and the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education, we are excited to present this unique blog post highlighting podcast episodes focused on inclusive early childhood education. This post features six episodes from the Think Inclusive podcast, each accompanied by a summary and thought-provoking reflection questions.
Our goal is to provide educators, parents, and advocates with valuable insights and practical strategies to foster inclusive environments for young children. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to inclusive education, these episodes offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.
Join us as we explore the importance of inclusion in early childhood settings and reflect on how we can all contribute to creating more inclusive communities. Let’s dive in and start the conversation!
Episode List
The Shift Towards Inclusive Education in Preschool Programs
Episode Summary
Melissa McCullough, Director of Early Childhood for East Moline School District, discusses the transformative shift towards inclusive preschool education. Discover how her district blends special education with general education, emphasizing the importance of mindset, professional development, and administrative support. Melissa also shares the pivotal role of collaboration, the impact of early intervention, and the challenges faced, offering insights that can inspire other districts to embrace inclusive practices. Learn about innovative strategies, real-world experiences, and the profound benefits of inclusive education for all students.
Reflection Questions
- How did Melissa McCullough’s journey in implementing inclusive preschool services challenge traditional approaches to special education?
- Reflect on the role of professional development in fostering an inclusive mindset among educators. How can ongoing training support the successful implementation of inclusive practices?
- Discuss the significance of administrative support in driving change towards inclusive education. How can leadership influence the adoption of inclusive practices in educational settings?
- In what ways did Melissa McCullough address barriers such as attitudes, beliefs, and mindset to promote inclusive education? How can these barriers be overcome in other educational contexts?
- Consider the impact of early childhood inclusion on students’ long-term educational experiences. How does starting inclusion at a young age shape attitudes towards diversity and inclusion in later years?
Every Child Can Fly: The Power of Early Childhood Inclusion
Episode Summary
Tim Villegas speaks with Jani Kozlowski, discussing her book Every Child Can Fly and exploring the importance of inclusion in early childhood education. Jani shares personal experiences of living with a disability and raising a child with ADHD and insights into creating inclusive learning environments. They cover legal aspects, research-backed benefits of inclusion, and strategies for supporting educators in fostering inclusive settings. Insights into overcoming systemic barriers and practical tools for early childhood educators to implement inclusive practices are also highlighted.
Reflection Questions
- How does Jani Kozlowski’s personal story and experiences with inclusion impact your understanding of the importance of inclusive education?
- Reflect on when you witnessed or experienced inclusion in an educational setting. How did it influence your perspective on diversity and inclusion?
- What are the key takeaways from the podcast regarding the benefits of early childhood inclusion for children with and without disabilities?
- How can educators better support inclusive learning environments based on the insights shared in the podcast?
- In what ways can the concept of inclusion be applied beyond early childhood education to create a more inclusive society?
Inclusion in Early Childhood Education with OSEP Director Valerie Williams*
Episode Summary
Valerie Williams, Director at OSEP, discusses the importance of inclusion in early childhood education. She shares a personal story about finding the right preschool for her son with Down syndrome and emphasizes the need for a mindset shift among educators. Valerie highlights the lack of knowledge and resources available to support inclusive practices and calls for better information dissemination. She also mentions the promising initiatives in different states and encourages educators to be bold, brave, and urgent in improving inclusive opportunities for all students.
Reflection Questions
- How did Valerie Williams’ experiences with her son’s education journey highlight the importance of inclusive practices in early childhood education?
- Reflect on the significance of Valerie’s story about choosing a preschool for her son with Down syndrome. How did the reactions of the staff at different locations impact her decision-making process?
- Discuss the challenges educators and administrators face in implementing inclusive education practices, as mentioned in the podcast. How can these challenges be addressed at both the individual and systemic levels?
- Analyze the role of technical assistance centers in supporting inclusive education. How can educators and parents leverage these resources to create more inclusive learning environments for students with disabilities?
- Considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, how can the lessons learned during this time be used to promote inclusion further and improve outcomes for all students moving forward?
Palm Beach County’s Journey Towards Inclusion for Young Learners with Disabilities*
Episode Summary
Lori Miranda, from Palm Beach County School District, discusses their move towards inclusive placements for students with disabilities. The video showcased collaboration between the school district, Head Start, and community partners. The goal is to keep children with disabilities in their natural environments and provide support through inclusive practices. They have faced challenges such as funding and teacher buy-in but have seen positive outcomes with students transitioning to general education kindergarten. The program has grown, and it is now able to provide evaluations and services directly at community centers. The critical takeaway is to prioritize the needs of children and families and ensure representation and diversity within the team.
Reflection Questions
- Reflect on the significance of prioritizing children and families in education, as the podcast mentions. How can putting children and families first lead to positive outcomes in educational settings?
- Discuss the challenges highlighted in implementing inclusive education practices, such as barriers adults face in educational settings. How can these challenges be overcome to create inclusive environments for all learners?
- Evaluate the role of community partnerships in supporting inclusive education. How do partnerships with community organizations contribute to the success of inclusive programs, as described in the podcast?
- Analyze the impact of having diverse and representative pre-K teams, as emphasized in the discussion. How does having a team that reflects the community being served enhance the educational experience for children and families?
- Consider the importance of teacher training and support in implementing inclusive practices. How can providing teachers with the necessary training and resources help them better support diverse learners and create inclusive classroom environments?
ECTA: Building High-Quality Systems Supporting Inclusive Education for Young Learners with Disabilities*
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, Tim Villegas interviews Christina Kasprzak and Megan Vinh, co-directors of the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA). They discuss the importance of inclusive education for young learners with disabilities and how the ECTA supports state administrators in developing equitable and effective systems. They also highlight the indicators of high-quality inclusion and share success stories from communities that have embraced inclusive practices. Listeners are encouraged to take action within their spheres of influence to promote inclusion and advocate for change.
Reflection Questions
- Reflect on the significance of prioritizing children and families in education, as the podcast mentions. How can putting children and families first lead to positive outcomes in educational settings?
- Discuss the challenges highlighted in implementing inclusive education practices, such as barriers adults face in educational settings. How can these challenges be overcome to create inclusive environments for all learners?
- Evaluate the role of community partnerships in supporting inclusive education. How do partnerships with community organizations contribute to the success of inclusive programs, as described in the podcast?
- Analyze the impact of having diverse and representative pre-K teams, as emphasized in the discussion. How does having a team that reflects the community being served enhance the educational experience for children and families?
- Consider the importance of teacher training and support in implementing inclusive practices. How can providing teachers with the necessary training and resources help them better support diverse learners and create inclusive classroom environments?
How Oregon Prioritizes Early Childhood Inclusion*
Episode Summary
Autumn Belloni and Meredith Villines discuss the importance of early childhood inclusion in this episode of the Think Inclusive podcast. They highlight the collaborative efforts in Oregon to prioritize inclusive practices in early childhood education. By working together across departments and organizations, they have seen significant growth in the number of children receiving inclusive services. Thanks to the supportive and inclusive community, they share a heartwarming story of a child with Down syndrome who experienced a seamless transition from early intervention to preschool to kindergarten. Love and collaboration are emphasized as the driving forces behind successful inclusion efforts.
Reflection Questions
- Reflect on the significance of prioritizing children and families in education, as the podcast mentions. How can putting children and families first lead to positive outcomes in educational settings?
- Discuss the challenges highlighted in implementing inclusive education practices, such as barriers adults face in educational settings. How can these challenges be overcome to create inclusive environments for all learners?
- Evaluate the role of community partnerships in supporting inclusive education. How do partnerships with community organizations contribute to the success of inclusive programs, as described in the podcast?
- Analyze the impact of having diverse and representative pre-K teams, as emphasized in the discussion. How does having a team that reflects the community being served enhance the educational experience for children and families?
- Consider the importance of teacher training and support in implementing inclusive practices. How can providing teachers with the necessary training and resources help them better support diverse learners and create inclusive classroom environments?
*These episodes were produced in collaboration with the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center.
