Project KITE: 10 Years of Successful Inclusion in Early Childhood Classrooms Using Technology

1. Project KITE: 10 Years of Successful Inclusion in Early Childhood Classrooms Using Technology Wendy Tuominen M.Ed., Project KITE Coordinator/AT Specialist PACER Center Minneapolis, MN National Inclusion Institute-Chapel Hill, NC August 2005

2. Agenda • Learn about PACER Center and its resources • Review the history of Project KITE • Learn how technology supports inclusion in the classroom • Complete a “low-tech” make-n-take project PACER Center

3. PACER Center • Not-for-profit organization • Serving parents of children with disabilities • Primarily staffed by parents of children with disabilities • Over 30 different programs. PACER Center

4. Simon Technology Center - Services • Assistive Technology Information and Referral • Simon Technology Center Library • Free Assistive Technology Consultations • Free Workshops for parents • In-service & Staff Development trainings • Used Equipment Service • Computer Monitor Newsletter PACER Center

5. Project KITEKids Included through Technology Are Enriched Project KITE is a project of PACER Center http://www.pacer.org/kite/index.htm PACER Center

6. Fundamentals of Project KITE • Teaming • Training • Technical Access • Technical Assistance PACER Center

7. History of Project KITE • Project first funded in 1994 • State wide and rural school districts • 70 sites • 80 parents trained • 176 professionals trained • Over 3520+ young children impacted via the ripple effect PACER Center

8. Project KITE Sites PACER Center

9. KITE Curriculum • Research Based • Best Practice • Field Tested • Funded by Minnesota Department of Education • Hamline University Board Credit is now available! PACER Center

10. Project KITE is state-of-the-art! “State-of-the-art for serving children with disabilities continues to be framed within the context of inclusive services. This framework includes services in natural environments for infants and toddlers and in least restrictive environments for preschoolers”, (Harbin, G., Rous B., and McLean M., Issues in Designing State Accountability Systems, Journal of Early Intervention, 2005. Vol. 27, No 3, 137-164). PACER Center

11. Research Based Curriculum • Guralnick, M.J., 2001, Early Childhood Inclusion: Focus on Change, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. • NAEYC position statement on technology and young children-ages 3 through 8. 1996. Washington, DC: NAEYC. • Beck, J., 2002.Emerging Literacy Through Assistive Technology, Teaching ExceptionalChildren, 44-48 • Judge, S. L. 2000. Accessing and funding assistive technology for young children with disabilities. Early Childhood Education Journal, 28(2), 125-131. http://www.liuweronline.com/issn/1082-3301/contents PACER Center

12. Training Session Topics • Session One: Intro to AT and Using Your KITE Equipment • Session Two: Supporting Literacy and Learning with Symbols and Graphics • Session Three: Augmentative and Alternative Communication In Early Learning Environments • Session Four: Using Multimedia Tools to Support Inclusion • Session Five: The Process of Choosing AT for Young Children and AT Funding Resources PACER Center

13. Example of Technology Working • KITE DVD and Demonstration Projects PACER Center

14. It’s the LAW! • Meet the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Federal Law • Increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities with the use of AT devices and services. PACER Center

15. Barriers to Using Technology • Priority for administration • Technology changes quickly • Technology can be scary • Takes time to plan and collaborate • Staff training • Technology can be expensive PACER Center

16. How can you do this? PACER Center

17. Successful Strategies for Using Technology • Attending conferences and workshops • Seeking information via professionals, web sites, journal articles • Share information with team and parents • Project KITE and PACER Center can help PACER Center

18. Tools for Fostering Inclusion • Readiness & Literacy • Play Skills • Communication • Motor Development • Sensory, Art & Music • Computer Use and Access PACER Center

19. Expanding Readiness & Literacy • Select activities that support readiness and literacy development from a wide variety of media and technology. Make adaptations that encourage the child to be as independent as possible. PACER Center

20. Play Skills Children benefit most from playing with other children. Provide children the supports they need for playing in a group. Practice “role playing” and expressing appropriate phrases and group “rules” for playing games (e.g. turn taking). Adults can make low tech adaptations to toys so that children can hold and manipulate easier. PACER Center

21. Switch AccessPromotes Fun & Independence!

22. Communication is Power Simple Activity Boards Communication Devices PACER Center

23. Communication & Social Interaction • Make sure that children have the necessary communication supports to be a play partner. How will the child make choices and communicate their wants and needs during play? Young children benefit from using communication symbols and communication devices as a bridge to language. Kindertaker CheapTalk 4 PACER Center

24. Motor and Positioning Supports • In getting ready for play, make sure that children have the necessary physical supports so that all their efforts can focus on playful interactions. Movinsit Jr. PACER Center

25. Art, Music & Sensory Make simple low tech adaptations to sensory materials and look for universally designed tools and materials that meet young children’s individual needs. PACER Center

26. Using An Accessible Computer In The Classroom • Mouse • TouchWindow • Switch • Alternative Keyboards PACER Center

27. Resources for Quick and Inexpensive Materials • See Resources handout • Make-n-take project PACER Center

28. Helpful Website resources • The Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) www.fctdinfo.org • National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) http://www.nectac.org/topics/atech/atech.asp www.nectac.org • Let’s Play! Projects-University of Buffalo, Center for Assistive Technology www.letsplay.buffalo.edu/ • National Lekotek Center www.lekotek.org • Center for Best Practices In Early Childhood www.wiu.edu/thecenter • Alliance for Technology Access Center www.ataccess.org PACER Center

29. New PACER Resources • AT Resources for Infants and Toddlers Web Page http://www.pacer.org/stc/totsnTech.htm • The Simon Technology Center was chosen as one of 30 communities across the country to participate in a five month best practice implementation for The Tots-n-Tech Best Practices Field Test. • To read more about the Tots'n Tech Research Institute (TnT) visit http://www.asu.edu/clas/tnt/ PACER Center

30. PACER Publications • Toys: Universal Tools for Learning, Communication and Inclusion for Children with Disabilities • Let’s Play Toy Guide • Let’s Talk Activity Cards • Opening the Doors of Communication PACER Center

31. STC Resources Simon Technology Center PACER Center 8161 Normandale Boulevard Bloomington, MN 55437 (952)838-9000 voice (952)838-0190 TTY 800-537-2237 (MN) www.pacer.org/stc Wendy Tuominen wendy.tuominen@pacer.org PACER Center

32. Thank you for attending this session! See presenter with any questions or comments. Please complete the yellow PACER evaluation form! PACER Center