Promoting Inclusion in Schools: 4 Strategies for Change

All students in the school should know and understand the basic, minimum standards of behavior that are expected from them. These rules should be developed and agreed upon by both the teacher and the class. If you want to exclude the element of rudeness towards children with disabilities, other kids should know what is acceptable and what is not. The main rule that children should learn is that everyone has the right to be respected and feel safe in the classroom. 

If you want to create a productive, safe, and inclusive learning environment, as a teacher, you need to recognize each student’s unique needs. It doesn’t matter whether they have a disability or not. Teachers need to take the time to understand the background of each student in their class. Pre-assessment and private surveys are very useful tools to gather information about the student’s needs. Such surveys should be conducted at the beginning of every new academic year. 

By understanding each student’s needs, teachers can create a more inclusive environment in the classroom. Kids with special needs may feel pressured and won’t want to tell you much. If there are such children in your class, it’s best to keep in close touch with their parents to know about the wants and needs of a kid. 

There’s only one way teachers can create a more welcoming and supportive environment for all students. And it’s by recognizing and addressing the unique needs of all children.

This is a bad thing in general – the learning environment in many schools is needlessly competitive. Teachers often compare students to each other by using rankings and award systems. This approach may be discouraging for students with disabilities, which can possibly affect their progress. 

If we want to promote inclusivity and positive learning for all students, we need to focus on individual progress rather than competition.

Instead of comparing students to each other, you as a teacher can challenge them to do better than they did yesterday. Ask them how they can improve for the next task, what would they focus on more next time. By giving attention to each student’s individual progress, including those who excel and those who struggle, teachers promote a growth mindset among learners. Learning should not be a competition. It’s an endless journey of growth and development.

Making sure that all students feel appreciated is a key factor in promoting inclusivity in education. One of the major challenges students often encounter is low self-esteem and a lack of confidence when they feel left out of certain situations. To overcome this, schools can promote a culture that encourages students to express their concerns and actively work to address the issues by providing solutions that make them feel acknowledged and heard.

Schools can implement various activities to promote inclusivity and encourage students to feel valued. It may be a community discussion board where students can share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns with others. Or it can be regular meetings where students can voice their opinions and suggestions. Even group projects or games that encourage teamwork can help – it’s a great way to engage students in friendship activities.

Promoting inclusivity in schools is crucial if we want to create a safe and supportive environment for all students. Hopefully, these 4 steps will help any teacher make their contribution to developing an inclusive atmosphere in schools. 

Jennifer
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