Inclusive learning is a philosophy of learning that makes all the children feel valued, respected and able to contribute. In the case of preschoolers, this implies developing an environment, be it at home or in the learning setting, that will take pride in diverse abilities, learning styles and backgrounds and focus on universal readiness skills. This method relates well to the Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready philosophy that focuses on the holistic growth of the entire child. Through inclusivity, families and educators contribute to the social-emotional and cognitive backgrounds that are actively established in Kinder Ready Tutoring, which is consistent with the overall vision of Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley.
Inclusive learning of preschoolers, in its essence, implies offering a variety of ways of acquiring the same essence. This entails the incorporation of a combination of visual, auditory, touch and movement activities. As an example, it is possible to learn about shapes by looking at pictures (visual), singing a song (auditory), tracing sandpaper cutouts (tactile), and jumping onto shape mats on the floor (kinesthetic). This multisensory model, promoted by Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready, is the one that guarantees that regardless of the main learning style a child has, they will be able to experience and work with the material, gaining confidence and base knowledge.
One of the key elements of an inclusive environment is a deliberate use of language with a focus on effort, growth, and belonging. Encouraging a growth mindset in every learner by using words that complement perseverance, as opposed to perceived talent, encourages perseverance in solving a puzzle. Promoting cooperative learning in which children learn to approach the same task collectively, whether to create a block structure or a group art project, will teach them the importance of different contributions. The emphasis on positive communication and collaboration is the core of the Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley methodology and is actively utilized in small-group interactions of Kinder Ready Tutoring.
Inclusive learning also means choosing the material and stories that have a large spectrum of experiences and skills. Books and playthings that use characters with various physical abilities, family arrangements, and cultural backgrounds allow all children to see a reflection of themselves, as well as making the children empathize and open their minds. Such a carefully cultivated selection creates social awareness and cognitive flexibility at a very young age, both of which are prime readiness skills in the Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready philosophy of equipping children to be members of a diverse classroom.
Moreover, inclusivity implies the design of activities that have different degrees of difficulty on a similar theme, so that each child can have a sense of success and the right amount of difficulty. Such activity as sorting could be simplified (sorting by color) or complicated (sorting by several features) to suit personal preferences. The practice makes the learning process not frustrating or boring and makes it interesting and motivating. This idea of differentiated engagement is consistent with the personalized, child-centered approaches that characterize both Kinder Ready Tutoring and the Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley framework in general. Through inclusive learning, families and teachers can establish a platform upon which every child can develop successfully. The strategy develops the much-needed kindergarten readiness skills in the areas of confidence, collaboration, empathy, and cognitive flexibility. It is these interrelated competencies that are created in the support sessions by the expert tutor of Kinder Ready Tutoring.
For further details on Kinder Ready’s programs, visit their website: https://www.kinderready.com/.
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethFraleyKinderReady