As early educators, you play a key role in the early development and growth of children in your care. But the strengths and needs of children are diverse and require that you create a learning environment that is supportive for all children.
First 5 Contra Costa is committed to supporting early childhood educators to build inclusive early learning environments. This page highlights some commonly used tools and strategies for how to adapt your current environment and curriculum to support all children in your care.
This video was made possible by funding from Measure X. Thank you to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors for their leadership in investing in making child care programs in our county more inclusive for all children.
Tools Featured in the Video to Support Inclusive Environments
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Cara’s Kit
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This full-color, quick guide offers ideas for adapting the environment, activities, and materials for children 18 months to 36 months. It includes helpful tips and suggestions, a clear six-step process for planning and implementing adaptations, and dozens of possible solutions for increasing child participation in activities and routines.
- This user-friendly guide describes how to adapt environments, activities, and materials for toddlers to preschool age children.
- Use this guide for ideas on how to modify play areas, activities, routines, or transitions. It focuses on adjusting transitions that might be too long and lead to frustration for both students and teachers. This guide describes how to modify the transition into smaller steps for a more efficient and smooth process from one activity to the next.
- The guide also offers ideas for adaptations to meet the different developmental needs of children who may require assistive technology or visual support. These tips can support your planning for curriculum activities, circle time, and outdoor play.
Visual Timer
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A visual timer offers children the opportunity to anticipate transitions to better provide structure and facilitate smooth transitions.
- A visual timer can be useful during any transition time. Visual timers help children reduce anxiety and confusion by giving a clear cue as to when a transition is about to begin and end.
- Visual timers can be used for a large group by being placed at children’s eye level where everyone can see it. The visual timer can also be used to pace individual or small group activity areas that require taking turns or when facilitating brief experiences, such as when a child is engaging in a learning activity on a tablet. Using the visual timer reminds the child when their turn is over.
Maze Mats
Click here to learn more: bit.ly/marble-maze-kids
Sensory mats and similar manipulatives can have a calming effect. These mats have a marble that you can push through the maze giving children a sensory activity to guide their thinking and regulate emotions.
- Sensory mats can be placed in a quiet corner to help children with self-regulation. Sensory mats can also be used during large group activities for children who may need a hands-on sensory toy to help with self-regulation, calming their “wiggles” and allow them to focus and remain engaged in activities such as circle time.
- Sensory toys, like these mats, can also be a great tool for children who need a sensory activity to help them ease into nap time or as a quiet activity while their peers nap.
Communication Cards
Click here to learn more: bit.ly/communication-cards-kids
Communication cards are composed of symbols, pictures or words to provide children with a different way to communicate. Children can be offered these cards to help express themselves, convey needs or communicate preferences.
- communicate verbally altogether. You can offer communication cards to children and encourage them to use or point to the icons to communicate interests and needs.
- Use communication cards to inquire about children’s interests, to keep them engaged in activities of their choice, and to support autonomy.
- You can also teach other students in the classroom to understand communication cards, helping them support their peers.
Learn more about our efforts to support inclusive environments:
To learn more about First 5 Contra Costa and our efforts to support Early Care & Education, please visit our page dedicated to Supporting Inclusive Early Care & Education Environments.
