Overview and Getting Started with the Building Blocks Framework

Overview and Getting Started with the Building Blocks Framework

Building Blocks for Teaching Preschoolers with Special Needs

Authors: Susan R. Sandall, Ilene S. Schwartz, Gail E. Joseph, and Ariane Gauvreau

Copyright: © 2019 by Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

Objectives

• Describe the Building Blocks framework
• Define and describe each of the four blocks or tiers of support
• Describe the steps for planning and implementing the framework
• Consider the Building Blocks framework in the context of inclusion

Building Blocks

Child-focused Instructional Strategies

Embedded Learning Opportunities

Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations

Quality Early Childhood Programs

Developing the Framework

Using the Building Blocks framework can help all children participate, learn, and thrive in their preschool classrooms and other early learning settings.

Based on the work of the Early Childhood Research Institute on Inclusion.

Inclusion

Learning Activity 1:

• Write down how you describe or define early childhood inclusion
• Read the DEC/NAEYC definition
• Find similar terms or ideas

Foundation

• Child-focused Instructional Strategies
• Embedded Learning Opportunities
• Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations

Examples of Curriculum Modifications

8 Types of Curriculum Modifications

• Environmental Support
• Special Equipment
• Materials Adaptation
• Adult Support
• Activity Simplification
• Peer Support
• Child Preferences
• Invisible Support

Embedded Learning Opportunities

• What to teach
• When to teach
• How to teach

Getting Started with Building Blocks

Steps to Take:

• Assess the quality of the learning environment
• Identify and clarify the classroom schedule
• Gather information on individual goals and objectives
• Assess the learning needs of the child
• Clarify the current concerns of the child
• Create a plan
• Construct an activity matrix
• Implement the plan
• Evaluate the plan and monitor child progress

Assess the Quality of the Learning Environment

Classroom Action Worksheet

Identify and Clarify the Classroom Schedule

Gather Information on Individual Goals and Objectives

Clarify Current Concerns

Create a Plan: ELO-at-a-Glance

Create a Plan: Instruction-at-a-Glance

Construct an Activity Matrix

Classroom Activity Matrix

Implement the Plan

Evaluate the Plan and Monitor Progress

Learning Activity 3: Implementation Steps

• Assess the quality of the learning environment
• Identify and clarify the classroom schedule
• Gather information on individual goals and objectives
• Assess the learning needs of the child
• Clarify the current concerns of the child
• Construct an activity matrix
• Implement the plan
• Evaluate the plan and monitor child progress

Summary and Review

• Describe the Building Blocks framework
• Define and describe each of the four blocks or tiers of support
• Describe the steps for planning and implementing the framework
• Consider the Building Blocks framework in the context of inclusion

Copyright: © 2019 by Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. All rights reserved.