- In inclusive classrooms, young children learn, play, and engage with a diverse group of peers. A first step in supporting children's learning and full participation is for teachers to create a welcoming classroom environment where all children feel a sense of belonging. Part of creating an accepting classroom environment is to examine what messages are conveyed through classroom materials and curriculum. It is imperative that we examine how to thoughtfully represent the concept of disabilities in our classrooms so that children can learn about human differences in constructive ways. All children need to see themselves in the environment around them and read stories that inculde them to support their understanding of self and promote positive self-esteem.
Participant Outcomes:
Participants in the Learning Deck will:
- Learn how teachers can ensure that diverse abilities are represented in classroom materials, curriculum, classroom language, and through school-wide environments
- Gain practical ideas to create high-qualitiy inclusive classrooms where children develop a sense of belonging by representing all children in classroom materials and curriculum
- Identify some strategies for collaborating with families to promote disability representation across home and school environments
Presenters: SeonYeong Yu, PhD, Lori Erbrederis Meyer, PhD
SeonYeong Yu, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Yu's educational background and research focus on early childhood special education with a particular interest in young children's understanding and acceptance of peers with disabilities, ultimately to facilitate positive peer relationships and friendships between children with and without disabilities in inclusive classroom settings. As a former teacher of young children with disabilities, Dr. Yu is committed to increasing the use of evidence-based practices in the field of early childhood education and translating research into practice.
Lori Erbrederis Meyer, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at the University of Vermont. Dr. Meyer teaches in both the early childhood and early childhood special education programs and is dedicated to investigating early childhood practices and curricula that increase the belonging and membership of each and every child within inclusive classroom environments. She is currently serving on the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices Commission tasked with updating the DEC Recommended Practices to inform and improve the quality of services provided to young children with disabilities and their families.
"Where Are The Kids Like Me?"
This digital product provides access to one (1) archived Learning Deck webinar for one (1) individual purchaser. Once the order is placed, the purchaser will receive a link to download the webinar recording as well as any webinar handouts. The webinar can be watched on-demand at any time once downloaded. Note: Archived webinar purchases do not include certificates of attendance.
Copyright Notice
Please Note: Sharing a Learning Deck with one or more parties, without prior written permission from Division for Early Childhood, is a violation of copyright law.
Group Orders
If you would like to purchase a Learning Deck webinar for a group, please place an order here. Discounts are available for members and groups.
Division for Early Childhood Learning Deck Webinars are webinars presented by experts in early intervention, early childhood special education, and related fields. Each webinar lasts approximately one hour (unless otherwise noted) and includes access to the full recording and any webinar handouts. Archived webinar purchases do not include certificates of attendance.
