Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/inclusive-art-experiences-from-a-developmental-perspective/5027345/
Maria has been working with Carolina, an older toddler in her classroom, for a few months. Over time Maria has noticed some differences in her willingness and abilities, particularly around her fine motor skills and development. Carolina resists touching anything messy or sticky so she rarely selects playdough or art activities that might help her build skills. Maria has encouraged Carolina’s parents to talk to the pediatrician about it at the next visit, but in the meantime, Maria would like to offer some extra activities to assist Carolina in her development. She wonders how she can adapt popular activities to make them more appealing to Carolina.
Young children come to us with all kinds of shapes, sizes, and abilities. As caregivers, our role is to meet them where they are and create an inclusive and accessible environment to support the development of all children. When we consider educational settings, we have broadened our understanding to include diverse individuals who sometimes require specialized instruction to meet their needs. One main foundation is the concept of universal design which informs our practice as we design an environment that can meet the needs of all the children in our care. Universal Design requires teachers and ...