Respond in 5 setnences or more. why you were moved by this topic. How can you relate the information to content you have learned in this course? How can you apply the content of these articles to your own professional life?
Summarize the article in your own words. Why did you choose this article, why is it interesting to you? Did anything in the article surprise you or confirm your beliefs about the topic?
As a professional early childhood educator, I advocate for all children to have access to inclusive education regardless of their difficulties or special education needs. When I came across the 2013 article, “Family Beliefs About Inclusive Education Model,” it instantly caught my attention because I currently have 3 children in my preschool who are benefiting from this educational model. In this article, researchers conducted a study to analyze the beliefs and conceptions that families of children with disabilities and without disabilities have about inclusive education models. The authors note that, “This educational model is, undoubtedly, one of the foundations form democratic society and one of the values that, with multiculturalism, contributes to the creation of a new school and a better society with promote fair, equitable and humane politics (Donenech, Moliner, 2013, pg. 1).” Prior to knowing the real meaning of inclusive education, parents of children without disabilities didn’t agree with inclusion, assuming that their child’s learning process would be negatively impacted. However, once educated with more information, and their child’s participation in an inclusive classroom, they changed their opinion to support this model. Noting that their child benefited in their personal and social development. Our families with disabilities also agreed that their children made strides in personal and social development through inclusion, as well as a greater understanding by their classmates. Child safety was one concern of these families in regards to possible verbal and physical abuse by peers, considering special education as the safer choice. The results show that there was not a significant difference between the two groups beliefs regarding the positive and negative effects of inclusive education. The parent scale-questionnaire used to conduct this research was direct and concise, focusing on the main issues parents might have. It was disheartening to see that 50% of families with disabilities vs. the 4% of families without, felt that an inclusive classroom would create conflicts between the two groups of children. This article did confirm for me that with more knowledge, some families can be persuaded to become advocated for this educational model.
Explain how this article relates to other discussions or content you have learned in this course (ex: ages and stages, developmental milestones/domains/parenting styles).
In several chapters of our textbook, Early Child Development: From Theory to Practice (2014), there are developmental red flags found towards the end. Parents and educators must be aware of what to look for to ensure that early intervention takes place. Once they see or don’t see specific developmental stages occurring, they can then refer to their pediatrician for resources and information. Another area that relates to this article is the influences that can have a negative effect on development as highlighted in Chapter 2, “Influences on Child Development”. In some cases, disabilities are a direct consequence of biological, cultural, and environmental effects on child development. For example, “Abuse and neglect are considered to have extreme and long lasting negative impacts on child development, including brain anomalies, deficient learning, personality disorders, relationship difficulties, and poor physical and mental health” (Groark, McCarthy & Kirk, 2014, Section 2.5, “Child Abuse and Neglect,” para. 1).
Discuss how you might use this knowledge in your future professional role.
I think it is imperative that we as educators provide as much educational and social emotional support to the families we encounter. Knowing now that families with children with disabilities and families without disabilities, who both have slight concerns in regards to an inclusive model, seem to come together to recognize the social and personal benefits for all children. This gives me such hope of the eventual change in how we as parents and educators define inclusive education and how it truly can enrich the lives of our students. As a Director, I will continue to encourage families with children with disabilities who tour our school, to enroll their child in a place that welcomes them with love and support of the educational goals of their child. Current families with children who are displaying developmental red flags will be offered resources to begin the process of early intervention. Finally, I will ensure that my staff is educated annually to be aware of these signs and how we can accommodate children with disabilities or special needs.
References
Groark, McCarthy, Kirk. (2014). Section 2.5, “Child Abuse and Neglect,” para 1. [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/ Author, A. (Year of publication).
Groark, McCarthy, Kirk. (2014). Early Child Development: From Theory to Practice. [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/
Domench, Moliner. (2013). Family Beliefs About Inclusive Education Model. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116 (2014) 3286 – 3291doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.749
