Resources

Allen, K. E., & Cowdery, G. E. (2014). The exceptional child: Inclusion in early childhood education. Wadsworth Publishing.

Barton, E. E., & Smith, B. J. (2015). The preschool inclusion toolbox: How to build and lead a high-quality program. Brookes.

Berti, S., Cigala, A., & Sharmahd, N. (2019). Early childhood education and care physical environment and child development: State of the art and reflections on future orientations and methodologies. Educational Psychology Review, 31, 991–1021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-019-09486-0

Division of Early Childhood (DEC), & National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion [Position statement]. https://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_EC_updatedKS.pdf

Dunlap, G., Wilson, K., Strain, P., & Lee, J. K. (2013). Prevent, teach, reinforce for young children: The early childhood model of individualized positive behavior support. Brookes.

Gauvreau, A. N., & Schwartz, I. S. (2013). Using visual supports to promote appropriate behavior in young children with Autism and related disorders. Young Exceptional Children Monograph Series, 15, 29–44.

Lamm, S., Grouix, J. G., Hansen, C., Patton, M. M., & Slaton, A. J. (2006). Creating environments for peaceful problem solving. Young Children, 6(1), 22–28.

Mashburn, A. J. (2008). Quality of social and physical environment in preschools and children’s development of academic, language, and literacy skills. Applied Developmental Science, 12(3), 113–127. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888690802199392

Meece, D., & Soderman, A. K. (2010). Positive verbal environments: Setting the stage for young children’s social development. https://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/201009/MeeceOnline0910.pdf

Sainato, D. M., & Carta, J. J. (1992). Classroom influences on the development of social competence of preschool children with disabilities: Ecology, teachers, and peers. In S. L. Odom, S. R. McConnell, & M. A.

McEvoy (Eds.), Social competence of young children with disabilities: Issues and strategies for intervention. Brookes.

Sandall, S. R., & Schwartz, I. S. (2008). Building blocks for teaching preschoolers with special needs. Brookes.

Santora, L., & Anti-Defamation League staff. (2012). How can you create a learning environment that respects diversity? http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/education-outreach/How-Can-You-Create-a-Learning-Environment-That-Respects-Diversity.pdf

Watson, K. J., & DiCarlo, C. F. (2016). Increasing completion of classroom routines through the use of picture activity schedules. Early Childhood Education Journal, 44, 89–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-015-0697-2

Willis, E. A., Hales, D., Burney, R., Smith, F. T., Vaughn, A. E., & Ward, D. S. (2021). Providing time in the schedule is insufficient for increasing physical activity in childcare. Translational Journal of the ACSM, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.1249/TJX.0000000000000156

Zimmerman, K. N., Ledford, J. R., & Barton, E. E. (2017). Using visual activity schedules for young children with challenging behavior. Journal of Early Intervention, 39(4), 339–358. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053815117725693

Milbourne, S. A., & Campbell, P. H. (n.d.). CARA’s kit: Creating adaptations for routines and activities. Resource packet and book. Available from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Made available by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), this booklet and resource pack contains detailed information on creating adaptations to classroom environments. Included also is a mini-CD containing details related to curriculum and pre-K standards, adaptation notes, and a PowerPoint presentation designed to help users get more out of the kit.

Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA): Practice Improvement Tools—Environment
https://ectacenter.org/decrp/topic-environment.asp

This technical assistance center offers environmental checklists and practice guides that early childhood educators can use to improve classroom  environments.

The Extension Alliance for Better Child Care
https://childcare.extension.org/creating-a-child-care-environment-that-supports-childrens-exploration/

The Extension Alliance for Better Child Care offers information about safe indoor and outdoor environments. This list of tips and the associated links will help ensure the environment encourages safe learning.

Head Start Center for Inclusion
https://headstartinclusion.org/

Housed at the University of Washington and funded by Head Start, the Head Start Center for Inclusion offers resources for teachers, professional development providers, families, and students. Included here are modules, online videos, and a section on classroom visuals and supports, among much else.

Head Start: Early Head Start
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/learning-environments

Come here for information and resources about the creation of nurturing learning environments, including tip sheets, videos, and links to helpful news and helpful advice on environments both inside and out.

Head Start: Teaching Practices—Engaging Interactions and Environments
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/teaching-practices/article/engaging-interactions-environments

Visitors to this corner of the Head Start website will find a variety of information related to the creation of effective and engaging classroom environments. Included are interactive resources, as well as information on well-organized classrooms, social and emotional support for students, and instructional interactions, among much more. Of particular interest could be 15-minute professional development resources.

National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI)
https://www.challengingbehavior.org/

The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) assists states “in developing sustainable systems for the implementation of the Pyramid Model for Promoting Social-Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children (Pyramid Model) within early intervention and early education programs.” Visitors will find information on the Pyramid Model and implementation strategies, in addition to finding a resource library.