ERIC Number: EJ751948
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 14
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0256-8543
EISSN: N/A
At the Crossroads: Overcoming Concerns to Envision Possibilities for Toddlers in Inclusive Child Care
Recchia, Susan L.; Lee, Yoon-Joo
Journal of Research in Childhood Education, v19 n2 p175 Win 2004
This paper describes the experiences of three toddlers with developmental delays and their caregivers in an inclusive child care center. Case study methodology was used to synthesize data representing initial issues presented by parents, caregivers' reflections on their relationships with the toddlers, and interactions between toddlers with special needs, their caregivers, and their typical peers within the child care setting. Analyses of parent interviews, caregiver journals, and child observations yielded two overarching themes--concern and possibility. Both parents and caregivers expressed specific concerns about children's behavioral differences, and how they create challenges to inclusion, but they also envisioned the possibility of increased social opportunities in inclusive child care for children with disabilities. Caregivers found that working in an inclusive setting created the possibility for early childhood professionals to learn about and better understand developmental differences. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Toddlers, Disabilities, Developmental Delays, Child Care, Caregiver Attitudes, Parent Attitudes, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Caregiver Child Relationship, Peer Relationship, Inclusive Schools, Early Childhood Education, Child Caregivers, Childhood Attitudes, Preservice Teacher Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Higher Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A