## Overview and Getting Started with the

## Building Blocks Framework

B UI L D I N G B LO C KS FO R TEAC HI N G P RES C HO O L ERS WI TH S P EC I A L N EED S

### Objectives

- Describe the Building Blocks framework
- Define and describe each of the four blocks or tiers of support
- Describe the steps for planning and implementing the framework
- Consider the Building Blocks framework in the context of inclusion

## Building Blocks

### Child-focused Instructional Strategies

### Embedded Learning Opportunities

### Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations

#### Social and Well-Organized Instructional

### Quality Early Childhood Program

#### Emotional Support Classrooms Interactions

## Developing the Framework

### Using the Building Blocks framework can help all children participate, learn, and thrive in their preschool classrooms and other early learning settings.

### Based on the work of the Early Childhood Research Institute on Inclusion.

## Inclusion

- Write down how you describe or define early childhood inclusion  
- Read the DEC/NAEYC definition  
- Find similar terms or ideas

## Activity 1:

- Share

## Foundation

- Child-focused Instructional Strategies
- Embedded Learning Opportunities
- Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations

## Examples of Curriculum Modifications

## 8 Types of Curriculum Modifications

- Environmental Support
- Special Equipment
- Materials Adaptation
- Adult Support
- Activity Simplification
- Peer Support
- Child Preferences
- Invisible Support

## Embedded Learning Opportunities

### What to teach
### When to teach
### How to teach

## Child-focused Instructional Strategies

## Learning Activity 2: Blocks

- Read the vignettes
- Match to block
- Provide additional examples

## Getting Started with Building Blocks

### • Assess the quality of the learning environment  
### • Identify and clarify the classroom schedule  
### • Gather information on individual goals and objectives  
### • Assess the learning needs of the child  
### • Clarify the current concerns of the child  
### • Create a plan  
### • Construct an activity matrix  
### • Implement the plan  
### • Evaluate the plan and monitor child progress

## Assess the Quality of the Learning Environment

## Classroom Action Worksheet

## Identify and Clarify the Classroom Schedule

## Gather Information on Individual Goals and Objectives

## Clarify Current Concerns

## Create a Plan: ELO-at-a-Glance

## Create a Plan: Instruction-at-a-Glance

## Construct an Activity Matrix

## Classroom Activity Matrix

## Implement the Plan

## Evaluate the Plan and Monitor Progress

## Learning Activity 3: Implementation Steps

- Assess the quality of the learning environment  
- Identify and clarify the classroom schedule  
- Gather information on individual goals and objectives  
- Assess the learning needs of the child  
- Clarify the current concerns of the child  
- Construct an activity matrix  
- Implement the plan  
- Evaluate the plan and monitor child progress

## Summary and Review