Space for one's own rhythm
Most inclusive kindergartens have fixed daily routines with clearly defined anchor points. For example:
Drop-off time
Morning circle
Free play
First pick-up time
Midday care
At first glance they do not differ significantly from regular kindergartens. What is special is the strict adherence to the daily schedule. At first this may sound like the exact opposite of free development. But as paradoxical as it may seem: an exact schedule gives many children with disabilities a sense of security. And only when your child feels secure can they build trust and fully attend to their own rhythm. This increases the chances that they will engage with the group and the new situation daily and derive enjoyment from it.
Independent learning processes without performance pressure
The goal of an inclusive kindergarten is to give every child — regardless of gender, nationality, or disability — the opportunity to freely develop their abilities. Stigmatizing performance principles would hinder this development. Therefore, the approach of most inclusive kindergartens largely corresponds to the educational concept of Maria Montessori: they create an atmosphere in which your child's individual strengths and weaknesses are taken into account. Self-directed learning processes without artificially created performance pressure lead to collaborative learning and more sustainable results. Specially trained staff accompany and promote the learning processes in a pedagogically valuable way.
Partnership-based cooperation with trained staff
In inclusive kindergartens, specially trained educators support both children with and without disabilities. They observe their charges particularly closely, reflect on their perceptions thoroughly and intervene when it becomes truly necessary or helpful. The focus is primarily on the relationships between the children, but the relationship between children and educators is also regularly reviewed. Moreover, it is essential in an inclusive kindergarten that all persons involved in upbringing network intensively and coordinate their efforts. In particular, the equal partnership in upbringing between kindergarten staff and you, as parents, plays an important role here. But the responsible authorities and the respective specialist services should also be involved in relevant decisions.
Specialist services for specific support measures
To meet the needs of children with special support requirements, inclusive kindergartens usually work with a curative-educational specialist service. The educators are part of the team and ideally on-site regularly. They support the children specifically with their challenges, taking into account medical history and social environment. Accordingly, parents are also involved in planning and support. If necessary in individual cases, the curative-educational service can be supplemented by a medical specialist service. Medical specialist services include physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and all other therapists whose services can be billed through statutory health insurance.
What advantages does an inclusive kindergarten offer?
Experience of a community that considers all social groups
Apprehensions between children with and without disabilities are reduced
Promotion of social behavior, mutual appreciation, and tolerance
Holistic individual care for each child
Usually more staff for smaller groups
Specialist services can identify problems early and intervene
Pedagogically valuable concepts as the basis of educational work
Intensive cooperation of all parties
Usually high-quality play materials in a creatively designed environment
What disadvantages can inclusive kindergartens have?
Often higher fees compared to other kindergartens
Usually only a few places are designated as true integration places
Often long waiting times, especially for children with disabilities
Spatial conditions are often not optimally adapted to disabilities
Children with complex multiple disabilities can rarely be admitted
Is the inclusive kindergarten right for my child?
Every child is different, so this question cannot be answered universally. The beauty of inclusive kindergartens is that they take these individual differences into account in upbringing. If all aspects of your child's personality are to be promoted and respected, enrolling in an inclusive kindergarten is definitely worth considering. If your child also faces the challenge of mastering daily life with a disability, you should definitely consider an inclusive kindergarten. This way you enable your child to have 'normal' social contacts and reduce the likelihood that they will grow up feeling on the margins of society. With or without a disability, attending an inclusive kindergarten definitely contributes decisively to the development of openness and tolerance.
Image credits
Child with Down syndrome holds on to swing rings © malyutinaanna- stock.adobe.com
Educator kneads and paints with children at a table © LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - stock.adobe.com
Children sit on the floor with an educator © Krakenimages.com - stock.adobe.com
Educator paints with a brush, providing assistance to a boy © Iryna - stock.adobe.com
