The idea of the integration of preschool children with exceptionalities into typical preschool classrooms has sent many people on research missions to find out if maybe this could be a step forward for the population of students in Special Education classes. This idea has been accepted in many preschools all over the nation, with a goal to allow every child to learn to the best of their abilities. I have found any child, when put into a situation with more children playing and learning together, to accept everyone as another person, regardless of the brace around one's leg or the patch above another's eye. Most all children will recognize differences in one another, but when explained why this other child has to wear something different around their ear, for example, they understand and dismiss the disability as if it were just normal. The most essential goal of mainstreaming is to hopefully allow for more early acceptance by peers of those children who are not typically developed, whether mentally of physically. With this step in the right direction, students of all ages can have a sense of belonging, a better education, and more opportunities to excel in many aspects of their career as students and citizens of a community. I have a strong trust that inclusion of students will indefinitely improve the field of Special Education.
"Wouldn't it be great if we could look forward to a whole world in which no child will be left behind?"
-Colin Powell
"Wouldn't it be great if we could look forward to a whole world in which no child will be left behind?"
-Colin Powell
I like the blog. It is well-written, providing enough information for the lay-person without sounding like a buffoon. I think that at the pre-school age this is definitely doable, and is probably a good idea. At this early stage, it is vital that students be involved, and I feel that inclusion is one way to help those preschoolers who have special needs, and those who are at-risk as well. Although I'm not so certain about full-inclusion in the middle or high school classroom, the pre-school level is ripe for mainstreaming. I love the quote by Secretary Powell. He was a great general and foreign policy guy, but he sounds like he would be a good educator, as well.
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