You are a childcare provider and teach in an inclusive classroom that serves children with and without exceptionalities. One of the children, Anna, who has been identified with an Intellectual Disability, is extremely social and has many friends in the class. She has recently become close with Kayla, who is a very shy child but interacts animatedly when she is playing or working with Anna. One day Kayla comes to school with birthday invitations for three of her classmates. You notice that Anna does not receive an invitation. When Kayla’s mother comes to pick her up, you inquire about the birthday invitation, mentioning how close Kayla and Anna have become. Kayla’s mother frowns and expresses concern that Kayla’s emerging social skills will regress if she spends too much time with Anna. She explains that in her home country, children with exceptionalities are not often seen in school.
Draft a response to Kayla’s mother that reframes her concerns about Anna and Kayla’s relationship into one that emphasizes a strength-based view of young children and their interactions.