Inclusive Teaching for Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Education Settings

บทคัดย่อ

Inclusive education is essential for all children, including those with disabilities, providing equal opportunities for learning in age-appropriate, mainstream settings. Despite legal frameworks and pedagogical advancements promoting inclusivity, challenges persist in early childhood education settings regarding the effective integration of children with disabilities. This article reviews current literature and recent surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of inclusive teaching practices. It critically analyzes the barriers to implementing these practices within early childhood educational environments and examines the role of various stakeholders, including educators, families, and policymakers, in fostering inclusivity. Research highlights the importance of early intervention and tailored educational strategies to support the cognitive and social development of children with disabilities. However, issues such as learning segregation, insufficient educator support, and systemic barriers continue to hinder the full integration of these children into mainstream classrooms. Surveys conducted by the Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA, 2023) reveal significant gaps in inclusive educational settings. To overcome these challenges, the article suggests enhancing educator training, improving curriculum designs to accommodate diverse learning needs, and increasing collaboration with families to create personalized learning plans. Moreover, it emphasizes the need for more vigorous legal enforcement of existing standards and more robust advocacy to ensure that all children receive equitable educational opportunities regardless of their abilities. This paper calls for a multidimensional approach that includes policy reform, community engagement, and pedagogical innovation to create more inclusive early childhood education settings that accommodate and celebrate diversity in learning abilities and styles.