Inclusion - Who should accept the challenge? (Week 4 Blog)

Renatta M Cooper (“The Passion for Early Childhood”) can be quoted as saying “I found that working intently, with children and families, was almost like earning a doctorate, because every year there was always a specific challenge, and I was in charge.  I had to meet it.”  She went on to say that she had to meet the challenge for herself, for herself, and for the families.

The challenge of including a special needs child into a child care setting is one that I welcome!  Many child cares, although legally required to provide care without bias or prejudice, reject such children.  

About ten years ago, a mother set up an interview for a spot at my day care.  She did not bring her child with her.  She interviewed me, walked through the daycare, and asked all the right questions.  She then asked if we had an opening, and completed the required paper work.  Then, this woman tearfully apologized to me!  She mentioned that she had checked every other child care in the area, and that we were her last hope.  Therefore, she waited to mention that her one year old son had severe Cerebral Palsy.   She waited to see if we would take him, if we had openings, before she mentioned his special needs.  When I told her that the process was unnecessary, that I would have taken on the challenge of providing her son child care even if I had known of his special needs, she broke down, cried, and then hugged me!  I enjoyed taking care of her son, and to this day receive occasional visits from him.

Ann P. Turnbull states [1]“For us, the bottom line in an agenda for change for inclusion is that every single person in the early childhood field – regardless of particular role – holds himself or herself to the standard of being helpful in advancing positive inclusion outcomes for young children and their families.  By so doing, we replace the names of Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody with our own names as members of a national field and as members of learning communities at the ground level in our locales.”

Why are so many child care providers finding excuses not to accept special needs children?  Why are they letting Somebody else accept the challenge?

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[1] Turnbull, H. R. and Turnbull, Ann P. (2000 October). Reactions from the Field – Accountability:  Whose Job is it, Anyway?.  Retrieved from Journal of Early Intervention. http://jei.sagepub.com/content/23/4.toc

Personal Predjudice Experience

In response to the questions and comments about my sister, pictured at the bottom of my blog.  Her name is Ann.

Yes, I grew up with a mentally retarded sister.  I am six years younger than Ann.  We grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania.  I learned to deal with predjudice at a young age.  My sister has a two year old mentality.  She needs help with everything.  I would take her by the hand, and walk down the street with my head held high.  I knew that my sister deserved to walk down the street.  Often, I would hear wispers, or see people pointing.  I learned to ignore!  The church we attended refused to allow her to participate fully.  She hated that!  She seemed to understand, and fought attending the church.  Some of my school friends were not allowed by their parents to visit at my house, because of her.  Some boys were not allowed to date me, because of her.  I ignored them all, held my head high, and did what I knew was right.  Today, my parents complain that she is not allowed to join them at the senior citizen community Bingo games, because she needs help!  My parents avoid many activities, because they feel bad, get upset, get stressed, and can't handle the predjudice.  I never felt that way, I never excluded my sister, and I always insisted on equality.

One particular incident I will never forget is related to my group day care home.  My sister visited for a long weekend during the summer, several years ago.  A week later, the state daycare inspectors showed up, asking to search my upstairs.  I had been turned in for running a home for the mentally retarded in my upstairs.  Evidentally, one of my day care clients did not like her presence in the day care.  Actually, I felt that she fit in quite well, her mental level was about the same as my other children!

Today, my group day care home is open to all children, including those with special needs.  My group day care home has received awards from various agencies for the care of these children.  Upon enrollment, I make sure that all prospective clients know that this is my policy.

Mary L.

Personal Childhood Web

Everyone!  I have included a Personal Childhood Web at the bottom of my blog.  Just scroll DOWN!
I have included pictures of my parents, my sister, and my grandsons.  I do not have any childhood pictures, digital cameras were not yet invented when I was a child.  We also didn't have computers.  I still remember black and white TV's!  8 tracks!  Pogo Sticks!  Record Albums!  Anyway, just SCROLL DOWN!
Mary L.

A Breakthrough in speech!!

At the day care today, during breakfast, two girls, age 13 months, were sitting next to each other.  One girl is very vocal, babbles, and says a few recognizeable words (like NO).  The other girl never spoke at daycare.  We never heard her voice.  No babbling, no words, nothing.  Today, the quiet child verbally responded to her peer, while eating breakfast!  We heard the voice of the quiet child for the first time!  She said DA DA and LA LA!  We were so excited!

Special Needs Children

Has anyone felt the need to educate the parents of the children enrolled in your daycare on the topic of special needs children?  I have had the experience of parents complaining that I accept special needs children.  I have become so used to this dilema that I now bring up the topic at every enrollment meeting with my new clients.  Parents often complain that children with special needs will take time away from their children.  Another comment I often hear is that parents of typical children do not want their children exposed to special needs children, it is just wrong!  I disagree, and feel that often the parents are passing prejudice down to their children.  Child Care locations are a good place to alter these misconceptions.
Mary L.

Special Needs Children

Does it make a difference if you must tie the shoes of a two year old or of an eight year old?
Does it matter if you must spoon feed an infant or a three year old?
Does it matter if you must help a one year old to learn to walk, or a four year old?

Children with special needs are not scary. 

They have the same needs as other children, why should age matter?

 Children with special needs may need special equipment.  They may need a special chair, or hearing aids.  From experience, I have found that any special equipment is supplied to day care at no cost to us!  There are many agencies that will help with the material needs of the special child.  Day Care Providers need to supply the love!  

Passion, Motivation, and Wisdom

I am the director of a group child care home.  Today, a three year old boy noticed the legs of the child sized kitchen table as he was leaving for the day.  He asked his mother what they were.  When she informed him that they were the tables legs, he asked her if the table was going to walk away?  I love the way children think, the questions they have, their grasp of reality.  The life of a child is full of wonder, sometimes exciting, sometimes scary.

Initial Post

This is my initial post.  This blog will be dedicated to the Child Care field.  As a current Group Home provider with 25 years experience, I hope to share my experiences and ideas with YOU, and hope you will share with ME!  It is always fun to try a new project, learn a new skill, or watch a child's face beam over a new snack!  Let's share!