All children are unique. They each have learning differences, learning style preferences and develop at their own pace. Even so, we can support all children to achieve high outcomes by embracing the strengths that exist in the broad range of human experience, including children’s abilities, socio-economic backgrounds, and cultures. An extensive literature review identified 6 foundational principles that provide the necessary infrastructure for implementing effective literacy instruction that supports everyone to be successful. These six principles include:
1) Inclusive Environments,
2) Universal Design for Learning (UDL),
3) Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS),
4) Culturally Responsive Pedagogy,
5) Emergent Multilingual Support, and
6) Family Engagement.
These foundational principles ensure that ALL children and families are welcomed, represented, fully included, individually supported, and celebrated in the classroom. Over the next several weeks, I will unpack each of these foundational principles with concrete steps for implementing them in different settings.
Lynne Hall is a research associate at the Indiana Institute on Disability & Community’s Early Childhood Center. She holds a Master of Science in Education and an Indiana instructional teaching license (Early Childhood Education and Services; Elementary/Primary Generalist; Elementary/Intermediate Generalist). She formerly taught preschool in a variety of settings for over 15 years. Her expertise includes early literacy instruction and inclusive preschool classroom practices. Email her at hallma@iu.edu
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