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Activity 2.3 | Inclusivity

Site: RRU Open Educational Resources
Cours: Learning to Lead
Livre: Activity 2.3 | Inclusivity
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Date: dimanche 11 mai 2025, 18:52

Table des matières

The Meaning of Inclusivity

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The Collins English Dictionary, Complete & Unabridged 2012 Edition defines inclusivity as 
“the fact or policy of not excluding members or participants on the grounds of gender, race, class, sexuality, disability, etc.”

There are several terms used to describe the acts and actions of including everyone. They have slightly different meanings (inclusive, inclusivity, inclusion). Inclusive means to include everyone, allowing and accommodating those who have historically been excluded. Inclusion means the act of being included in a group. There have been arguments from some who claim that the words are a more neutral way of describing desegregation in a society that is still defined by the majority Western worldview. Minority groups may often question if a program is truly inclusive. The emerging leader must examine their own level of self-awareness and allyship to ensure that their program and services do not merely describe without truly practicing inclusion.

The educators and staff of a childcare program can represent the community's diversity. Different cultures, knowledges and languages can be included in daily activities. Opportunities for learning about anti-racism can be a regular piece of professional development.

Reference

Collins English Dictionary (2012). Inclusivity. Complete and unabridged (12th ed.). HarperCollins.


Anti-racism Activity

Skim through the document Canada Anti-Racism Toolkit, created by BGC, formerly known as the Girls and Boys Club of Canada.

Choose a section that interests you. Reflect on what you learned about the topic in your journal. 

  • How might you incorporate some of the suggested activities into discussions with your staff? 

In your journal, reflect on what you learned about racism:

What does implicit bias mean to you?

References

BGC Canada. (2022). Anti-racism toolkit and activity guide. https://www.bgccan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/BGC-Canada-Anti-Racism-Toolkit-and-Activity-Guide.pdf



Resources for Inclusion

Inclusion is a large and significant topic that is best studied separately from this course. Leaders in children’s programs must be prepared for all children regardless of their needs. If the leader herself does not have the Special Needs Educator certificate, then at least one other educator must have that level of expertise. The following are a few examples of starting points to finding information on inclusion.

The Government of British Columbia has a website for inclusive childcare resources and supports (2024), including an Inclusive Child Care Toolkit that you should review.  Two programs which offer consultant services and support for children, their families, and childcare centres, enabling children with support needs to participate in these programs fully can also be found through the site. Additionally, Aboriginal Supported Child Development consultants are community-based professionals who work with families and childcare professionals to develop strategies for inclusion. There can be waitlists. 

West Coast Child Care Resource Centre has many resources on their website, including booklists for children.  

Consider how your centre could expand upon its book selections and artifacts to include diverse themes. Fundraising or seeking donations are ways of building valuable resources. As a leader, you could bring the idea to a staff meeting to get input from others.

Reflective Prompt Questions:

  • What action could you take now to strengthen inclusive practices in your centre?

  • How could you involve your team in identifying gaps or opportunities for greater inclusion?

  • What barriers might exist in your community or workplace regarding inclusive practices, and how might you begin to address them?

  • How could your leadership support families of children with diverse needs more effectively?

  • How does inclusion connect with your values and vision as an early childhood education leader?


References

Aboriginal Supported Child Development. (2025). Aboriginal Supported Child Development. https://www.ascdp.bc.ca/

Government of British Columbia. (2024, January 8). Early childhood intervention programs. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/child-behaviour-development/early-childhood-intervention

Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre. (2025). Anti-bias resources. https://www.wstcoast.org/news-articles/resources/anti-bias-resources


Accessibility

Accessible spaces are necessary for all children to be able to fully participate in programs. The BC Child Care Licensing Regulation governs the size of spaces and minimal materials, and equipment required in the Facility Requirements section. Most centres will try to have more than minimal equipment.

Disability advocate Rick Hansen was involved in the creation of a useful guide to help centres plan play spaces (2020). Spend some time reviewing the guide. 

Over the last decade, more accessible playgrounds have been included in recreational areas. Municipalities and First Nations are often able to find grants to purchase and build new equipment in parks and recreation centres that include children of all abilities. Early learning leaders in your community can get together to advocate for these resources if they are lacking.

One of the veteran playground systems businesses is Habitat Systems Inc., which serves Western Canada. One of their specialties is accessible equipment. This is not an endorsement of the company but is an example of where to find accessible equipment. Their website features this blog (Wilson, 2021), as well as others dedicated to inclusive playground design.

References

Wilson, S. (2021, March 18). Inclusive playground design for everyone. Habitat Systems. https://www.habitat-systems.com/inclusive-playground-design/

Rick Hansen Foundation. (2020). A guide to creating accessible play spaces. https://www.rickhansen.com/sites/default/files/2020-03/sch-35913-guide-creating-accessible-play-spacesen2020web.pdf