DNE: Lecture 5**

• Diversity in society

  • Race
  • Ethnicity
  • Culture
  • Social-economic status
  • Disabilities
• Other diversities

  • Gender
  • Sex
  • Religion
  • Family
• Guidelines to handle diversities

  • Self-reflection
  • Treat each student as individual
  • Identify and change language patterns
  • Sensitivity and knowledge about specific ethnic and cultural groups
  • Be informed about diversities
  • Aim for inclusive curriculum
  • Do not assume all your students (and families) are as familiar as you on diversities
• Factors affecting child development

  • Innate genetic factors
  • Environment
  • Experiences
• Stakeholders in ECSE

  • Child and peers
  • Parents/families
  • Schools (teachers, teacher assistants, admin)
  • Multi-disciplinary teamwork (shadow teachers, ABA therapists, ST, OT)
• Early intervention

  Services for infants and toddlers as well as their families to address the special needs of young children who have disabilities, are at high risk of developmental delays
• Early intervention examples


  • Assistive technology e.g. Audiology or hearing device
  • Special instructions
  • Nutrition services
  • Occupational therapy
  • Parent training
  • Vision services
• Who benefits from early intervention?

  • Children with disabilities/developmental delays
  • Family of children with disabilities / developmental delays
  • The community
• Benefits of early intervention for children with disabilities/developmental delays

  • Improve children's developmental, social, and educational gains
  • Help alleviate and reduce behaviors by using positive behavior strategies and interventions
  • Help children with disabilities grow up to become productive, independent individuals
• Benefits of early intervention for the family

  • Provide family the tools to have a better attitude within the family and towards the special needs child
  • Professionals can provide information, skills and training to teach and help the family and the child, thereby relieving the stress and feelings of helplessness
  • Parents/ Caregiver become involved in the child's treatment, and implement the skills that therapist suggest into the daily routine
• Benefits of early intervention for the community

  • Remedial measures can be taken to provide children having special needs with education to help them develop their potential to the full, achieve as much independence as they are capable of, and become well-adjusted individuals in the community
  • Reduce the long-term financial burden for the society as a whole