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How diversity influences teaching
How diversity influences teaching
How diversity influences teaching
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Diversity. The differences between people is referred to by diversity. Practitioners work aside people from a wide range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, which includes people of different genders, people with disabilities or people who have different cultural traditions. Practitioners have the responsibility of embracing and valuing diversity in order to reach the individual needs of the children and their families. All children and young people are unique individuals, and in early years’ settings, staff must ensure that each individual child is valued and respected equally. Staff can do this by celebration differences, embracing diversity and exploring the culture we live in. Practitioners could do a range of activities to promote …show more content…
This concerned with attitudes as well as behaviour and practices. Inclusion is based on the rights of every child so that they have a safe, happy and fulfilled childhood, regardless of what sex they are, their beliefs, or social origin (UNICEF 1989). Inclusions also acknowledges the individual needs of all children and recognises and celebrates diversity. Practitioners must promote inclusive practice and have a positive attitude towards diversity, which is outlined in legislation, including Equality Act 2010, which involves meeting the individual needs of boys and girls, children with disabilities, children with SEN, and children of different social, cultural and religious backgrounds. Providing a safe and supportive environment for all children, and to provide a wide range of opportunities to support all children’s learning and development helps to promote inclusive practice in early years settings. To also promote this, practitioners should plan for each child’s individual care and needs, and they should provide additional resources and a variety of teaching strategies, based on children’s individual learning needs. Inclusion is about responding to and embracing diversity. It is about adjusting activities, to meet a range of individual needs, and having a positive approach to ensuring everyone can take part in the activities planned, no matter what. Benefits …show more content…
We need to show acceptance towards every child and their families, and also be respectful in the way you come across to them and speak to them and be careful in order to not cause offence. I must be opened minded and recognise that everyone is unique, and that everyone has different qualities that I should recognise. Many terms that were used in the past, are now considered inappropriate and offensive. It is important that we do not label children, and that difficulties or health conditions do not define a
...an they improve outcomes for disadvantaged children? International Journal of Early Years Education, 15(2), pp.171-180. [Online] Available at: www.informaworld.com (Accessed 29 April 2011)
What is inclusion? Inclusion learning is the idea that regardless of a child’s disability they are considered access to a regular education setting that will provide the learning aides needed for that child to learn successfully. The debate of inclusion learning has been on the table for many years. According to the U.S. Department of Education's report to congress in the 2006 school year there were 701,949 children between the ages of three and five years old being served for special needs under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)(17). The IDEA was introduced in 1997 as an amendment to the 1975 Education for All Handicapped Children Act. This amendment was to “to ensure free and appropriate education for children of all learning and physical disabilities in the least restricted environment” (Individuals with DisabilitiesEducation Act Amendments of 1997). One of the purposes of the IDEA law was “...
In order for inclusion to be implemented properly it is important that teachers, parents, and administrators to know the definition of inclusion. An inclusion program means that the student spends all or most of their school time in the general education classroom rather than a self-contained classroom. However, the students will still receive the support and interventions they would have received in a self-contained classroom. There are different types of inclusive classrooms where different types of teaching occur. There is co-teaching where there is both a general education teacher and a special education teacher that co teach. Both will work with students that have an individualized education plan (IEP) and the student will receive more support. In addition, an inclusive classroom can have a general education teacher but has the special education teacher as a resource or aid, which qualifies as a collaborative model of inclusion.
If one looks at the word “Inclusion”, its definition states that the word means being a part of something or the feeling of being part of a whole. By looking at this term, one gets a sense about what inclusion education is all about (Karten p. 2). Inclusion education is the mainstreaming of Special Education students into a regular classroom (Harchik). A school that involves inclusive education makes a commitment to educate each and every student to their highest potential by whatever means necessary (Stout). Their goal is for all children, disabled or not, to be able to attend a typical classroom.
This ensures that the practitioner takes necessary steps to protect a child and also promote their welfare. A practitioner will also need to promote good health of children and take appropriate action to prevent the spread of infection when a child is ill. Within the setting practitioners must work effectively to ensure that they manage the children’s behaviour effectively which is relevant to their age and stage of development.
Diversity is broad and incorporates the concept of acceptance and respect. It understands that individuals are unique in their own way and recognizes the differences between individuals which can be in terms of race, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religious beliefs among other ideologies (Nederveen et al, 20013). It entails the exploration of all these variances in a positive, safe and nurturing environment as well as understanding one another beyond levels of tolerance, so as to accept and celebrate the rich variety of diversity each individual possess.
However, in this scenario it is apparent that the other children lack a strong sense of belonging, as positive interactions are limited due to one child’s behaviour. This individual child is hurting others, causing the other children to distance themselves from their peers. Thus, creating a non-harmonious environment filled with anxiety, worry and fear of being constantly hurt. Arthur, Beecher, Death, Dockett & Farmer, (2005) explain the importance of creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness within early childhood setting, describing such as a distinguishing aspect of a developing and successful child. This centre fails to generate a positive learning environment as it struggles to promote positive health, wellbeing and interactions in a safe and supportive environment. UNICEF (1989) describes these features as basic human rights. Thus, this is a contributing reason as to why so many parents have made complaints to staff. Feeling apart of the early childhood community is vital in a child’s life, as failure to feel included often leads to a child becoming disengaged and isolated from their peers (Cooper & Simonds, 2003). As a result, their self-esteem decreases which can create negative implications to the mental health and wellbeing of a growing child (Pendergast et. al,
Through the development of Inclusive Education it is possible that children grow up to be more accepting of differences, where once the notion of something “different” and “separate” could cause caution, fear and ridicule. There are multiple policies and processes present within our society supporting inclusivity and the right every child regardless of their special needs or difficult circumstances has to an education. The Salamanca Statement developed world wide in 1994 states every child’s right to an education. In support of this policy the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992) sets disability standards in our education system and the Melbourne Declaration (2008) further attempts to promote equity and excellence within our schools.
Diversity is a notion, when applied to the majority of circumstances, can create a positive conclusion. The trick to producing a positive outcome is often how the different aspects are brought together. Consider a classic dinner combination peas and carrots, the two colors look appealing and the two flavors comes together as one making a superb side dish. Now consider oil and water, these two substance are not often considered a good combination. Although, this is not always the case; olive oil and vinegar (which is water based) when mixed, come together into a delectable salad dressing. Diversity and inclusion should also apply to humans by bringing people together who are different it can creates a whole that is enhanced by the uniqueness of each individual.
Inclusion is the main issue within the inclusive learning environment, if a child doesn’t feel included within their environment then their learning will be effected by this. The Oxford English Dictionary defines inclusion as “the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure” (Oxford English Dictionary 2011: Inclusion) This means that every child should feel involved and included, no matter of there different learning abilities or levels. This can mean children who have special educational needs, such as dyslexia, physical disability or metal disability. Inclusion should provide opportunities for all children, no matter of their age, race, gender, disability, religion, ability or their background, to be involved within their learning environment. Each child should feel like they belong and feel like they are...
Inclusion is not a new idea, but has been rapidly gaining momentum within many disciplines internationally. Inclusive education is a term often associated with special education, and children with additional needs. However, inclusive education is about ensuring that educational settings allow for meaningful participation by all learners. Each child has their own unique identity, ways of doing things, strengths and weaknesses. Ministry of Education [MoE] (1998) states that teachers “should recognise that as all students are individuals, their learning may call for different approaches, different resourcing, and different goals” (p. 39, emphasis added).
My future classroom will be an environment that is welcoming and engaging with activities that will enhance and encourage each child’s development and learning. Inclusion is difficult, even for adults. Yet without the implementation of inclusion, students are deprived of the opportunity to interact with a variety of people and learn acceptance and respect. It means to make everyone feel loved and accepted just the way they are. Having an inclusion environment will help children grow up to be better adults and citizens of tomorrow.
There are millions of children that are passing through the United States school system every day, not all children possess the same traits, and not all children can learn at the same rate, and do not perform at the same ability. The fact that all children learn differently and some have difficulties learning in general classrooms, special education was put into place to try and take care of these issues. Special education programs were put into place to help all students with disabilities. These children range from general disabilities to more complex and severe disabilities. There has been a revolution occurring in the past several years with education systems, and special education. There have now been several laws that have been passed that mandate changes in special education and the treatment that children, and parents receive, it also changes how the children are being taught, and how the teachers are to also change and conform to this idea called inclusion. Inclusion in the school system simply is stating that children who have learning disabilities, and more severe disabilities are to be included in the general education environment for as long as possible daily. There has been several different names other than inclusion that have been used, but in present times and since the 1990’s inclusion has been the most common term used. “The change in terminology was pushed in part by the philosophy that inclusion would mean more than only physical placement of children with disabilities in the same classroom, but rather it conveyed that children with disabilities would become a part of larger social, community, and societal systems” (Odom, Buysse, & Soukakou, 2011, para. 3). There has not been just one major law that was passed...
My definition of inclusion is “that equality and equity is the right of every student no matter what the barriers exist to meaningful learning. All barriers require removal to allow access, for all, to the Australian curriculum content irrespective of the structural or economic adjustments that this necessitates. Inclusion does not necessarily provide guaranteed outcomes but is grounded on the concept of equal opportunity for all.”
I will be discussing how every child is unique and how they learn and progress. I will explain the benefits of meeting individual needs and how a practitioner can promote children’s physical and emotional wellbeing within an early years setting. I will then describe how principles of anti-discriminatory practice can be applied and why it is important to plan activities to meet individual needs.