Inclusion in Early Years: Building Relationships and Success Together

1. Inclusion in the Early Years Putting It All Together Presented by Lynn Hestbak Principal, Early Education & Family Wellness Centre Wetaksiwin Regional Public Schools

2. Philosophy • Believing, Behaving, Becoming • Inclusion is the “norm”: • Family inclusion – at home, on outings, special events • School inclusion – in the classroom, playground • Social inclusion – with peers, in the community

3. Research • Brain development • (McCain, M.N., & Mustard, J.F., 1999) • (Mustard, J.F., 2002, 2007) • Early Learning • (Bredekamp, S., 1992) • (Hertzman, C., 2000) • Family engagement • (Epstein, J., 2001) • Teaching strategies • (Gardner, H., 1993)

4. Program Options • Full or part-time attendance /morning or afternoon choices • Home based programs • Blend of centre and home based • Family Oriented program visits • Outreach supports for kindergarten • Flexibility, choice, consistency

5. Relationship Building(Believing) • Begin where the family is • Focus on what we CAN do • Flexible options • Choice is in their hands

6. Team Building(Believing) • Shared philosophy • Principles of the program set • Continuous evolution • Collaborative time

7. Building Routines(Behaving) • Predictable routine provides structure • Flexibility within routine allows choice • Intervention occurs within natural play environment • Foundational skills based on Kindergarten Program Statement

8. Collaboration Time(Behaving) • Deliberate & intentional planning • Providing “just right challenge” • Strategies for one often work for all • Doing what makes sense

9. Transition Planning(Becoming) • Begins right away – home to program • Frequently reviewed & revised as needed • Begin with end in mind – planning for school entry

10. Family (Becoming) • Working together to increase family confidence, knowledge of child’s needs • Developing appropriate strategies for home, community inclusion • Stronger advocates for child’s future

11. Other Experiences • Seeds of Empathy, cultural experiences • Visitors to program, special events, field trips • Triple P Parenting program & other parent workshops • Parent Networking opportunities

12. Evidence of Success • Increased enrolment each year • Wait list for community placements as early as December for next year • Referrals from community partners • Parent feedback

13. Feedback • Staff, when asked what is the best feature of our program: • “...having a team effort makes us stronger 17 times over” (Kathy, teaching assistant) • “Each student here has a long line of people who’ve got their back!” (Marcie, SLP) • “Thinking outside the box and being flexible when the child can’t be” (Joanna, OT)

14. Feedback (continued) • Parents: • “His grandparents see a difference already and he has only been here 3 months” (Chelsey, mom) • “You will never feel more loved than you do here” (alumni parent Ken to group of new parents) • “She was invited to a friend’s birthday party for the first time – I nearly cried” (Cathy, mom)

15. Recipe for success