Abstract
Curriculum modifications are relatively simple changes to the ongoing activities, materials, and routines in classrooms to maximize children’s participation and engagement. Early childhood teachers rely heavily on the social and physical aspects of the environment to promote children’s development and learning. This chapter describes modifications and accommodations and provides a process for using them in early childhood classrooms.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Angell, M. E., Nicholson, J. K., Watts, E. H., & Blum, C. T. (2011). Using a multicomponent adapted power card strategy to decrease latency during interactivity transitions for three children with developmental disabilities. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 26(4), 206–217.
Barry, L. M., & Burlew, S. B. (2004). Using social stories to teach choice and play skills to children with autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 19(1), 45–51.
Barton, E. E., Reichow, B., Wolery, M., & Chen, C. (2011). We can all participate! Adapting circle time for children with autism. Young Exceptional Children, 14(1), 2–21.
Blackhurst, E., Carnine, D., Cohen, L., Kame’enui, E., Langone, J., Palley, D., … Stewart, R. (1999, Fall). Research connections in special education. Universal design. Retrieved December 10, 2014, from http://eric.ed.gov/?id = ED433666
Blum-Dimaya, A., Reeve, S. A., Reeve, K. F., & Hoch, H. (2010). Teaching children with autism to play a video game using activity schedules and game-embedded simultaneous video modeling. Education and Treatment of Children, 33(3), 351–370. doi:10.1353/etc.0.0103.
Bricker, D. D. (1995). The challenge of inclusion. Journal of Early Intervention, 19, 179–184.
Brophy, J. E., & Good, T. L. (1986). Teacher behavior and student achievement. In M. C. Wittrock (Ed.), Handbook of research on teaching (3rd ed., pp. 328–375). New York, NY: McMillan.
Buysse, V., & Peisner-Feinberg, E. S. (Eds.). (2013). Handbook of response to intervention in early childhood. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
Campbell, P. H., Kennedy, A. A., & Milbourne, S. A. (2012). Cara’s kit for toddlers. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
Campbell, A., & Tincani, M. (2011). The power card strategy: Strength-based intervention to increase direction following of children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 13(4), 240–249. doi:10.1177/1098300711400608.
Cavallero, C., & Haney, M. (1999). Preschool inclusion. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST). (2006, March 12). Universal design for learning. Retrieved December 10, 2014, from http://cast.org/udl/index.html
Chandler, L. (1998). Promoting positive interaction between preschool-age children during free play: The PALS Center. Young Exceptional Children, 1(3), 14–19.
Choi, H., O’Reilly, M., Sigafoos, J., & Lancioni, G. (2010). Teaching requesting and rejecting sequences to four children with developmental disabilities using augmentative and alternative communication. Research in Developmental Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 31(2), 560–567. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2010.08.005.
Codding, R. S., Skowron, J., & Pace, G. M. (2005). Back to basics: Training teachers to interpret curriculum-based measurement data and create observable and measurable objectives. Behavioral Interventions, 20(3), 165–176.
Conn-Powers, M., Frazeur, Cross, A., Krider Traub, E., & Hutter-Pishgahi, L. (2006, September). The universal design of early education: Moving forward for all children. Beyond the Journal, 1–9.
Day, J. N., McDonnell, A. P., & Heathfield, L. T. (2005). Enhancing emergent literacy skills in inclusive preschools for young children with visual impairments. Young Exceptional Children, 9(1), 20–28.
Deitz, J., Swinth, Y., & White, O. (2002). Powered mobility and preschoolers with complex developmental delays. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56(1), 86–96.
Dennis, L. R., Lynch, S. A., & Stockall, N. (2012). Planning literacy environments for diverse preschoolers. Young Exceptional Children, 15(3), 3–19.
DiCarlo, C. F., & Vagionos, L. (2009). Using child preference to increase play across interest centers in early childhood classrooms. Young Exceptional Children, 12, 31–39.
Division for Early Childhood. (2009). Early childhood inclusion: A joint position paper of the Division for Early Childhood and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Missoula, MT: Division for Early Childhood.
Division for Early Childhood. (2014). DEC recommended practices in early intervention/early childhood special education 2014. Retrieved from http://www.dec-sped.org/recommendedpractices
Epstein, A. S. (2007). The intentional teacher. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Fuchs, L. S., & Fuchs, D. (1986). Effects of systematic formative evaluation: A meta-analysis. Exceptional Children, 53(3), 199–208.
Fuchs, L. S., Fuchs, D., Hamlett, C. L., & Stecker, P. M. (1991). Effects of curriculum based measurement and consultation on teacher planning and student achievement in mathematics operations. American Educational Research Journal, 28, 617–641.
Fox, L., Dunlap, G., Hemmeter, M. L., Joseph, G. E., & Strain, P. S. (2003). The teaching pyramid: A model for supporting social competence and preventing challenging behavior in young children. Young Children, 58(4), 48–52.
Garfinkle, A. N., & Schwartz, I. S. (2002). Peer imitation: Increasing social interactions in children with autism and other developmental disabilities in inclusive preschool classrooms. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 22(1), 26–38.
Gauvreau, A., & Schwartz, I. S. (2013). Using visual supports to promote appropriate behavior in young children with autism and related disabilities. Young Exceptional Children Monograph, 15, 29–44.
Hamre, B. K., & Pianta, R. C. (2005). Can instructional and emotional support in the first grade classroom make a difference for children at risk for school failure? Child Development, 76(5), 949–967.
Hart, B., & Risley, T. R. (1995). Meaningful differences in the everyday experience of young American children. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
Hemmeter, M. L., Ostrosky, M. M., Artman, K., & Kinder, K. (2008). Moving right along…planning transitions to prevent challenging behavior. Young Children, 63(3), 18–22.
Hemmeter, M. L., Ostrosky, M. M., & Fox, L. (2006). Social and emotional foundations for early learning: A conceptual model for intervention. School Psychology Review, 35, 583–601.
Hsieh, H.-C. (2008). Effects of ordinary and adaptive toys on pre-school children with developmental disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 29, 459–466.
Johnston, S., Nelson, C., Evans, J., & Palazolo, J. (2003). The use of visual supports in teaching young children with autism spectrum disorder to initiate interactions. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 19(2), 86–103.
Joseph, G., & Strain, P. (2004). Building positive relationships with young children. Young Exceptional Children, 7(4), 21–28.
Kohler, F. W., Greteman, C., Raschke, D., & Highnam, C. (2007). Using a buddy skills package to increase the social interactions between a preschooler with autism and her peers. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 27(3), 155–163.
Lieber, J., Horn, E., Palmer, S., & Fleming, K. (2008). Access to the general education curriculum for preschoolers with disabilities: Children’s school success. Exceptionality, 16, 18–22.
Mason, C., Orkwis, R., & Scott, R. (2005). Instructional theories supporting universal design for learning—teaching to individual learners. In Council for Exceptional Children (Ed.), Universal design for learning: A guide for teachers and education professionals. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Education.
McCormick, L., & Feeney, S. (1995). Modifying and expanding activities for children with disabilities. Young Children, 50(4), 10–17.
McCormick, K. M., Jolivette, K., & Ridgely, R. (2003). Choice making as an intervention strategy for young children. Young Exceptional Children, 6(2), 3–10.
Meadan, H., Ostrosky, M. M., Triplett, B., Michna, A., & Fettig, A. (2011). Using visual supports with young children with autism spectrum disorder. Teaching Exceptional Children, 43(6), 28–35.
National Research Council. (2001). Eager to learn: Educating our preschoolers. In Committee on Early Childhood Pedagogy, B. T. Bowman, M. S. Donovan, & M. S. Burns (Eds.), Commission on behavioral and social sciences and education. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
NCHD Early Child Care Research Network. (2002). The relation of global first grade classroom environments to structural classroom features, teacher, and student behaviors. Elementary School Journal, 102(5), 367–387.
Nordquist, V. M., Twardosz, S., & McEvoy, M. A. (1991). Effects of environmental reorganization in classrooms for children with autism. Journal of Early Intervention, 15(2), 135–152.
Odom, S. L. (Ed.). (2002). Widening the circle. New York, NY: Teacher’s College Press.
Pianta, R. C. (2000). Enhancing relationships between children and teachers. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Raver, C. C. (2004). Placing emotional self-regulation in sociocultural and socioeconomic contexts. Child Development, 75(2), 346–353.
Sadao, K. C., & Robinson, N. B. (2010). Assistive technology for young children: Creating inclusive learning environments. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
Sandall, S. R., Joseph, G. E., & Schwartz, I. S. (2009). Moving inclusion forward in Head Start. Young Exceptional Children Monograph Series, 11, 69–80.
Sandall, S. R., Joseph, G., Chou, H.-Y., Schwartz, I. S., Leiber, J., Horn, E., … Odom, S. L. Talking to practitioners: Focus group report on curriculum modifications. Unpublished manuscript.
Sandall, S. R., & Schwartz, I. S. (2008). Building blocks for teaching preschoolers with special needs. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
Schilling, D. L., & Schwartz, I. S. (2004). Alternative seating for young children with autism spectrum disorder: Effects on classroom behavior. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(4), 423–432.
Schwartz, I. S., Sandall, S. R., Odom, S. L., Horn, E., & Beckman, P. J. (2002). “I know it when I see it”: In search of a common definition of inclusion. In S. L. Odom (Ed.), Widening the circle (pp. 10–24). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
Schwartz, I. S., Sandall, S. R., & Gauvreau, A. N. (2013). Planning to individualize: Meeting the needs of all children using activity matrices. Teaching Young Children, 7(2), 21–23.
The National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning (2013). Child Evaluation Form. Retrieved August 1, 2014, from http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/teaching/docs/modifications-teachertools.pdf
Trivette, C.M., Dunst, C.J., Hamby, D.W., & O’Herin, C.E. (2010). Effects of different types of adaptations on the behavior of young children with disabilities. Research Brief, 4(1), Tots-n-Tech Institute: http://tnt.asu.edu/
Wolery, M., Brashers, M. S., & Neitzel, J. C. (2002). Ecological congruence assessment for classroom activities and routines. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 22(3), 131–143.
Wolery, M., Schroeder, C., Martin, C.G., Venn, M.L., Holcombe, A., Brookfield, J., … Fleming, L.A. (1994). Classroom activities and areas: Regularity of use and perceptions of adaptability by general early educators. Early Education and Development, 5(3), 181–194.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Sandall, S.R., Schwartz, I.S., Gauvreau, A. (2016). Using Modifications and Accommodations to Enhance Learning of Young Children with Disabilities: Little Changes That Yield Big Impacts. In: Reichow, B., Boyd, B., Barton, E., Odom, S. (eds) Handbook of Early Childhood Special Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28492-7_18
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28492-7_18
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-28490-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-28492-7
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)