Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102685

Coordinator Kerry Staples Opens in new window

Description Inclusion is both a right and an expectation for all children. Its effectiveness, however, depends upon teachers having the competencies, dispositions and skills to advocate for equity of access, participation and inclusion for children with a broad range of abilities within early childhood settings. In this subject, students reflect on the social construction of disability, policy and research in relation to the identification of additional needs, intervention and inclusion. Students will learn to assess curriculum and environments for learning, and to design, evaluate and communicate inclusive plans. The subject will focus on enhancing quality inclusive early childhood education through responsive adaptation and modification of the environment, curriculum and teaching practices. The importance of forming genuine partnerships with families and collaborating with the team around the child are advocated as essential for effective inclusion.

School Education

Discipline Teacher Education: Early Childhood

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 4 subject

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 1879 Bachelor of Education (Birth – 5 Years) and have completed 240cp in that program.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyse the theoretical, ethical, philosophical, legislative and policy frameworks supporting inclusion in the early years.
2. Critique perceptions, attitudes and beliefs about disability and inclusion.
3. Apply knowledge of development, learning dispositions and learning theories to identify children with additional needs and make appropriate recommendations for referral to relevant community and educational support services.
4. Assess early childhood curricula to ensure it appropriately recognises the impact of specific disabilities and has an underlying basis for promoting engaged learning for all children.
5. Develop responsive inclusion plans that reflect the family’s priorities for their child and facilitate learning.
6. Evaluate the learning spaces, resources, curriculum and pedagogies and modify them to provide quality inclusive learning environments.
7. Create strategies to support access, participation and learning.
8. Describe practices that support collaboration and shared decision making between families, early childhood environments and service systems.

Subject Content

1. Assumptions and contradictions of inclusion 
2. Legislative policies and philosophical frameworks that guide inclusive practice 
3. Assessment for learning
4. Identification and referral 
5. Family-centred practices and relationships 
6. Collaboration and working with other professionals 
7. Planning for inclusion: adapting and modifying learning environments, pedagogical practices, embedding learning, monitoring and evaluating implementation
8. Supporting school transitions