By Ellen Daniels and Kay Stafford

This book provides both the research base and practical methods that guide and support teachers in including children with disabilities in their child centered classrooms. Written by teachers, this volume addresses such questions as:  How do early childhood teachers adapt their teaching strategies and materials to suit the needs of both a child with disabilities and typically developing children? How do classroom teachers and families work together to support learning for children with disabilities? The reader follows the progress of three young children with disabilities throughout the course of the school year, beginning with the first meeting of the parents and teachers. The case studies provide concrete illustrations of many of the concepts contained in this manual, including: forming partnerships with parents; observing and assessing children’s performance; developing individualized plans; designing the classroom environment; using thematic instruction; and facilitating social-emotional linguistic, cognitive and physical development.