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Planning Developmentally Appropriate ECCE Curriculum

• respect diversity

• address gender issues and promote equal rights
Notes
• ensure learning of basic life skills

ECCE curriculum in most cases does not address this diversity from the
perspective of ensuring inclusion and sensitivity towards all groups. This can be
possible if this issue is dealt with comprehensively in teacher preparation so that
every teacher can adapt the given curriculum to her/his immediate context.

Inclusive practices are intended to identify and remove barriers to full acceptance,
participation and learning for all children. Inclusion recognises that many
challenges associated with disability are embedded in socio-cultural attitudes and
practices. Inclusion does not entail a one size fits all mainstream approach,
but seeks to recognise and respond to diversity, without isolating children with
special needs and removing them from everyday activities. Inclusive practices
allow teachers to support individual needs with in the regular
context.

Strategies for an inclusive ECCE centre:
• Encouraging social interactions

• Requesting help/suggestions from children’s families
• Simplifying directions to children

• Modifying group activities to allow participation
• Providing extra help to teach skills

• Modifying the daily schedule

• Responding appropriately
• Giving physical assistance to participate in all programme routines and
activities

• Assisting with the use of tools, play material, etc
• Rearranging the environment

• Obtaining parent permission to share information with other specialists

• Adapting toys and play materials
• Adapting an existing piece of furniture or equipment to meet individual
needs

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 55