Universal Design: Learning for All

To achieve learning for all children, where each child could develop cognitive, physical, social, and emotional abilities, the early childhood curriculum needs to be designed with the following parameters in mind:

* Presentation of a concept: Any new concept should be introduced with at least three ways, each focusing on a different sense.

* Type of teaching: Intentional or directed teaching should be planned based on the children’s developmental needs. In addition, the educator should extend the child’s learning experiences as they are naturally occurring.

* Diverse ways to monitor learning: Formative and evaluative assessment should be derived from multiple means of representation. One child might be able to verbally show understanding of a concept, a second child might write, a third child might draw, and a fourth child might act the concept.

By carefully targeting the design, the process, and the monitoring so they include open-ended options, educators could engage children in an enjoyable learning journey.

Suggested reference for further reading:
Dinnebeil, L. A., Boat, M., & Bae, Y. (2013). Integrating principles of universal design into the early childhood curriculum. Dimensions of Early Childhood, 41(1), 3-13.

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