Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/significance-and-benefits-of-indigenous-early-intervention-and-inclusion/5021745/
If Indigenous early intervention programs are to successfully coexist and intersect with mainstream early intervention and we are to provide appropriate supports and services for Indigenous children, it is important for all stakeholders to fully understand the rationale for delivering Indigenous-specific early intervention programs, not only in name, but more importantly in nature. The rationale for Indigenous early intervention includes the following components.Meeting children’s basic needs is an extremely serious issue within Indigenous communities; many of the health and educational challenges for young children start with families buried under chronic cycles of poverty. This is the chronic stress within a family environment, the influence on healthy child development, and the capacity of the families to engage in early intervention programs. This would create a highly sensitive and complex content that would support the children and the families to meet the basic needs for their children: safe water, enough food, adequate clothing, and housing. Monique Grey-Smith quoted an Early Childhood Educator speaking to the importance of meeting the basic needs of their families in their community:
“There are multiple barriers for our families that focus on their basic needs �" we have children coming into our program very hungry, not dressed properly ...