These immediate changes are easier when you have access to additional materials, and when you have planned the activity knowing that you want the flexibility to respond to children's changing interests and needs. Children thrive in an environment that offers possibilities for individual success in the midst of every experience, and that is the purpose of individualizing. Designing individualized group activities is an art form which is practiced and perfected by experienced teachers who believe that individualizing is the key that allows every child to learn by doing. Many child care providers and local child care organizations are creating networks of providers who meet together regularly to talk about early childhood issues and challenges. Some networks are made up of providers from various types of programs who happen to live and work in the same neighborhood.
Effective networks involve providers in ongoing professional development and support for each other.
Network meetings are ideal for discussing the care and education of children with disabilities or developmental delays. Topics which directly relate to inclusion, such as using special feeding techniques or sign language, making programs wheelchair accessible, or communicating with early intervention and special education teams, can be integrated into ongoing discussions related to honoring diversity, ensuring access to routines, activities, and materials for each child, and developmentally appropriate practice. A network can be as small as two providers who get together once a month over lunch or big enough to organize monthly workshops with expert facilitators. Whatever size, issues surrounding inclusion can be natural and frequent topics. My child has severe disabilities - no vision, limited hearing, and little voluntary movement.