Next week, December 3-7, is Inclusive Schools Week. The theme this year is "Social Inclusion: More than a seat in the class!" The classes that I work with this year will be teaming up with another classroom to create awareness buttons for distribution at our school. We will read stories to learn ways that we can be friends to all students and discuss what it means to feel included. The focus of social inclusion goes beyond accepting others with different abilities. Social inclusion encompasses appreciating diversity of ability, language, culture, age, gender, and socio-economic status.
As a mom of three children, it is important to me that they all feel included at school and in society. As an educator, it is my responsibility to teach others about the importance of social inclusion and give examples of how we can do it. The first suggestion I have for adults is to lead by example. When your children or students see you interacting with diverse individuals they will internalize what they see. If you are accepting and compassionate then they will learn to be accepting and compassionate too. If you are cold, dismissive, or disinterested then children learn that it is not important to treat diverse individuals equally.
Until recently, I had not realized that my own actions have influenced my children's actions when interacting with children of varying abilities. I was speaking with a teacher at one of my sons' schools when she began to tell me about this boy who amazes her (she was talking about my son). She went on to describe her impressions of this young child. She explained that she sees him everyday on the bus ramp at the school. She said he is always smiling, talkative, and kind to others. The students in her classroom have various physical and mental abilities that affect how they look and navigate the school community. What really touched me was when she said that she had never witnessed, in all of her years of teaching, a child accept the students in her classroom as equals. This was a proud mommy moment I will never forget. I cannot say that I have specifically taught my children about disabilities. I just explain how we all do things differently in order to accomplish the same task.
I decided to put together a quick resource list for inclusion week. However, I hope you will think about using these resources all year not just during inclusion week. The first set of resources can be used by educators or parents. These three books are a great way of introducing how we can be supportive of others and the importance of acting in a kind way towards others.
As a mom of three children, it is important to me that they all feel included at school and in society. As an educator, it is my responsibility to teach others about the importance of social inclusion and give examples of how we can do it. The first suggestion I have for adults is to lead by example. When your children or students see you interacting with diverse individuals they will internalize what they see. If you are accepting and compassionate then they will learn to be accepting and compassionate too. If you are cold, dismissive, or disinterested then children learn that it is not important to treat diverse individuals equally.
Until recently, I had not realized that my own actions have influenced my children's actions when interacting with children of varying abilities. I was speaking with a teacher at one of my sons' schools when she began to tell me about this boy who amazes her (she was talking about my son). She went on to describe her impressions of this young child. She explained that she sees him everyday on the bus ramp at the school. She said he is always smiling, talkative, and kind to others. The students in her classroom have various physical and mental abilities that affect how they look and navigate the school community. What really touched me was when she said that she had never witnessed, in all of her years of teaching, a child accept the students in her classroom as equals. This was a proud mommy moment I will never forget. I cannot say that I have specifically taught my children about disabilities. I just explain how we all do things differently in order to accomplish the same task.
I decided to put together a quick resource list for inclusion week. However, I hope you will think about using these resources all year not just during inclusion week. The first set of resources can be used by educators or parents. These three books are a great way of introducing how we can be supportive of others and the importance of acting in a kind way towards others.
Fill a Bucket: A Guide for Daily Happiness for Young Children
by Carol McCloud
This first book is perfect for ages 3-9.
by Carol McCloud
This first book is perfect for ages 3-9.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily happiness for Kids
by Carol McCloud
This book is perfect for ages 9 and older.
by Carol McCloud
This book is perfect for ages 9 and older.
Growing Up With a Bucket Full of Happiness: Three Rules for a Happier Life
by Carol McCloud
This book is an extension of the book, Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
Visit the Bucket Fillers website for teaching resources to go along with all of these books.
by Carol McCloud
This book is an extension of the book, Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
Visit the Bucket Fillers website for teaching resources to go along with all of these books.
I was interested in finding a resource for educators to help with lessons on inclusion. I came across the following resource and was able to look in the table of contents on Amazon.com. I have ordered it and hope to get it at the beginning of next week. Take a look for yourself by clicking on the image of the book.
Teaching About Disabilities Through Children's Literature
by Mary Anne Prater and Tina Taylor Dyches
by Mary Anne Prater and Tina Taylor Dyches
Below are a couple of different picture books that can be used at the elementary level to learn about different abilities.
 Don't Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability by Pat Thomas  Special People, Special Ways by Arlene Maguire  Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco |  What I Like About Me! by Allia Zobel Nolan  Ian's Walk: A Story About Autism by Laurie Lears  Hooway For Wodney Wat by Helen Lester |
What will you be doing for School Inclusion Week? Comment below.
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