Early Childhood Special Educator

Scenario:

You are the early childhood special educator in an inclusive classroom working with children ages three to five. The teaching team has been given $2000 to purchase materials and furniture to help meet the specific needs of the children in the classroom. The teaching team will meet at the end of the week to discuss what is needed. Johannes, one of the four children with autism in the class, appears to be having some sensory integration difficulties. He covers his ears quite frequently when children make elaborate structures while playing in the block area. Once, he became so overwhelmed that he ran to his cubby, got his blankie, crawled into the toy kitchen cupboard, and tried to shut the doors. The team has agreed to come to the meeting with some ideas on how to alter the environment to decrease the noise level.

1. To prepare for your meeting, you will need to identify four new materials/furniture pieces that can be added or adapted to the environment. You will also need to give your rationale explaining how these materials will decrease the noise level in the block area.

2. Be sure to read the SELF-EVALUATION section below to guide your thinking. Write your self-evaluation after you have completed your rationale.

Self evaluation

1. For your list:

a. Explain how redesigning the physical environment addresses the issues in the scenario.

b. Give evidence from the chapter supporting information in your rationale (with citations).

2. Describe and justify how redesigning the environment will help meet the needs of the children in the classroom.