Think Feel Act - Inclusivity by Dayanara Empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3 Dayanara Empuerto en-us 2021-10-15 00:28:49 UTC 2021-10-15 02:02:07 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f308.png This is a clip from the popular Indian movie "Taare Zameen Par" or known by its English title "Every Child is Special." d_empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818393101 2021-10-15 00:31:43 UTC https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818393101 This film introduced me to inclusivity, and what it means to children who grow up thinking that they are different and lesser than. It has made me cry every time I watch it. d_empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818397305 2021-10-15 00:33:47 UTC https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818397305 According to the article, "Everyone is Welcome: Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care" by Dr. Kathryn Underwood, high quality ECEC programs that support inclusivity has three major components: accessibility, consideration for the unique needs of the child, and ongoing evaluation of programs. Sadly, this film shows the exact opposite of these components. d_empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818402614 2021-10-15 00:36:31 UTC https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818402614 I would like to draw your attention to this particular scene, where Ishaan's teacher visited his family's house to better understand his situation. d_empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818409893 This scene shows how unaware his parents are of the situation. They are blameless of course, because learning disabilities can be seen as taboos in India, and parents are reluctant to accept it. ]]> 2021-10-15 00:39:56 UTC https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818409893 This scene is a perfect example of how flawed the our view of disability can be, at least in the past. In 2012, WHO and UNICEF defined disability as a restriction of functioning as a result of barriers in the environment. d_empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818414352 2021-10-15 00:41:53 UTC https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818414352 From my understanding, this means that it is not correct anymore to label a child "disabled" because of what he cannot do. The community and the society's failure to facilitate these children's facilitation is what disables them. d_empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818422385 2021-10-15 00:45:35 UTC https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818422385 Several researches have indicated that the most critical aspect of effective inclusion practices is the attitude of practitioners. In this scene, Ishaan's teacher talked about great people who overcame difficulties. He was able to jolt Ishaan out of his depression. This is powerful for me, because it showed me just how influential the position I hold as an educator can be. d_empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818434992 According to Cross, Traub, Hutter-Pishgani & Shelton (2004), our attitudes as educators are directly related to the success of universal programs that promote quality inclusion practices. We serve as the children and their families' connection to society, the community, and country in general. ]]> 2021-10-15 00:51:13 UTC https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818434992 I have several years of experience in teaching in the Philippines, and what I have learned is that children come to this world pure and kind. We adults are the ones responsible in making them see the beauty in themselves. d_empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818445338 The inherent problem with judging them based on what they can and cannot do is they have no control over that. They have no control over what was given to them. We as educators, and the society in general, owe it to them to help them through these adjustments, to see them through these hardships, and give them the best chance for a healthy, meaningful, and happy life. ]]> 2021-10-15 00:56:00 UTC https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818445338 There was also a scene in the film where Ishaan's father asked the teacher what he was supposed to do with his son. Will he have to support him all his life? How will he be able to participate in the race to be successful? d_empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818451705 2021-10-15 00:59:00 UTC https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818451705 As educators, part of our job is to ensure that these children who come to us in early childhood centers are prepared for more mainstream schooling because "transition issues are much more pronounced for children with identified special needs than other children" (Janus, et al, 2007; Lloyd, Irwin, & Hertzman, 2009). d_empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818460830 Steps we can take to support this transition include home visits, regular meetings with fellow staff and parents, complete sharing of information gathered through documentation, and creation of IPPs that support ongoing monitoring and consistency in reaching goals. ]]> 2021-10-15 01:03:10 UTC https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818460830 Points for reflection: d_empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818472513 1. What do we feel when we are informed by our directors that we have a special needs child in the classroom? Are we excited, or are we exasperated by the extra work? Why do you think we feel the latter, even if we do not want to?
2. How do we ensure that the classrooms we facilitate are accessible to children with special needs?
3. How do we document children with special needs? Do we take extra considerations to carefully document them and discuss these with their parents and families?]]> 2021-10-15 01:08:40 UTC https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818472513 In "How Does Learning Happen," this is best demonstrated in the foundation of Belonging, wherein, "Every child has a sense of belonging when he or she is connected to others and contributes to their world." d_empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818584051 Jean Clinton said it best, “Every child deserves to have someone’s eyes light up when they enter the room.” As educators, we spend more time with children compared to other members of their families oftentimes. We have a responsibility to make the center a safe place for them to learn and act and feel. We must also make them feel that, regardless of what they can and cannot do, they have the ability to contribute to the lessons and that their inputs are valued and appreciated. ]]> 2021-10-15 01:57:45 UTC https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818584051 I would like to close this PADLET with this scene from the film where Ishaan created his project out of commonplace objects, proof that his learning disability does not impair him from being creative and curious. He sees the value in the little things in the world, and it is vital that we see the purity in children like him, too. d_empuerto https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818592514 2021-10-15 02:01:44 UTC https://padlet.com/d_empuerto/caqy8o22rjwvbun3/wish/1818592514