Teaching in a preschool inclusion classroom is both rewarding and complex. Balancing the needs of students with autism or developmental disabilities alongside their typically developing peers requires thoughtful planning, flexibility, and a strong commitment to inclusion. Whether you’re preparing IEPs, planning lessons, or setting up classroom routines, the goal is always the same—creating a welcoming, supportive space where every student can thrive.
Planning for Success in a Preschool Inclusion Classroom
Planning for success in a preschool inclusion classroom begins with a solid plan. Here are a few steps to help you prepare:
- Understand Each Student’s Needs:
Start by reviewing each student’s IEP (if they have one) or observing their current developmental milestones (if they are brand new to public school and their IEP development is still in progress).
Understanding their strengths, needs, and accommodations ensures you’re meeting them where they are and setting realistic, achievable expectations. After all, asking students to complete tasks beyond their skill level is a surefire way to lead to frustration and behavior challenges! Instead, meeting students at their current abilities helps build their confidence and sets them up for meaningful progress.
- Set Up Inclusive Routines: Design routines that encourage interaction and participation for all students. For example, morning circle time can include opportunities for even nonverbal participation, such as pointing to visuals or using communication devices, to ensure everyone can engage.
If you’re regularly asking questions like the weather or the color of the day, creating a static picture board with options for students to point to can be a helpful tool. This allows learners to participate meaningfully without requiring verbal responses.
- Incorporate Visual Supports: Visual schedules, social narratives, and visual cues can help students with autism or developmental delays understand expectations and transitions, reducing anxiety and challenging behaviors.
For example, a visual schedule might use pictures to show the sequence of daily activities, like circle time, snack, and recess, while visual cues displaying pictures of “Quiet Mouth” or “Listening Ears” can guide behavior expectations during activities. These supports create consistency, helping students navigate their day with greater independence.
Teaching Functional Skills in Preschool
Preschool inclusion classrooms are the perfect place to build functional skills that students will expand on as they grow. These may include:
- Classroom Readiness: Teach students skills like sitting during group activities, following simple directions, and transitioning between activities.
- Social and Play Skills: Use structured activities, such as turn-taking games or cooperative play tasks, to foster interaction with peers.
- Adaptive and Self-Help Skills: Practice daily routines like washing hands, putting on shoes, or zipping a jacket, emphasizing independence.
Incorporating these skills into your daily lessons not only prepares students for kindergarten but also helps them build confidence and independence.
IEP Development for Preschoolers with Autism
When writing IEPs for students in preschool inclusion classrooms, it’s essential to focus on goals that are developmentally appropriate and functional. Start by assessing each child’s current skill level to determine what they need to work on.
Here’s how to approach IEP preparation:
- Assess First: Use a comprehensive preschool assessment to identify strengths and areas for growth in fine motor, social, adaptive, and self-help skills.
- Set Realistic Goals: Focus on measurable, actionable goals that align with each student’s needs and future success. For example, a goal for self-help might be, “The student will independently wash and dry their hands following a visual sequence with 80% accuracy across three consecutive sessions.”
- Monitor Progress: Use paper or digital data sheets to track progress over time, ensuring that goals are met or adjusted as needed.
Tools to Support your Classroom
Looking for an easy, no-prep assessment tool for your preschool inclusion classroom students? This Preschool Assessment & IEP Goal Bundle is packed with everything you need to assess skills, write IEP goals, and track progress with ease.
What’s included:
- 12-page preschool assessment guide covering key areas like classroom readiness, fine motor, and adaptive skills.
- 21-page IEP Goal Bank with clear and measurable goals and objectives in each content area.
- Printable AND digital data sheets so that you can track progress with ease.
- BONUS: colorful classroom rule visuals to help you set clear expectations for your learners.
Start streamlining your IEP preparation and focus on creating a classroom where all your students can thrive- Check out the bundle here!
