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What inclusion looks like in a stand-alone kindy for children with diverse learning needs with Belinda Rule
May 26, 2021 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
What inclusion looks like in a stand-alone kindy for children with diverse learning needs with Belinda Rule
Age range taught: All Ages
Belinda Rule noticed a rise in the number of children who had high level needs coming into kindergarten, so she decided to try a strategy that no one else had before in a C&K (Creche and Kindergarten) cent re. After some initial research, she made the courageous decision to introduce Millie the assistant therapy dog and there’s been no turning back since. Millie’s presence has not only made an enormous difference to the wellbeing and learning of children at C&K’s Eimeo Road Community Kindergarten (Eimeo Road), its success is now being replicated by some other centres in the area. Sonia Stewart says Millie’s active presence has resulted in measurable growth in every child’s learning disposition. It has also in creased “the peace, purpose and endeavour in Belinda’s class”. “Millie the therapy dog supports the children’s social, emotional, spiritual and intellectual learning and character by her calming presence, which is essential for those little ones who have, or are experiencing, trauma and challenge,” Sonia says. “The empathy and unconditional love Millie shows the children no matter their challenge is something wonderful to watch unfold.”
Professional Standards for QLD Teachers: 3 , 4, 5 , 6, 7 NQS Quality Areas:1 , 6 and 7
Presenter: Belinda at C&K’s Eimeo Road Community Kindergarten (Eimeo Road).. The strategy is one of the reasons the Eimeo Road Director and teacher was this year’s recipient of C&K’s Excellence and Innovation Award for Professional Excellence, and the organisation’s overall Emeritus Professor Mary Mahoney AQ Excellence Education Childhood and Care Award. The initiative has also attracted international and national attention, with researchers from Queensland and the United States of America approaching Belinda about doing research projects on the program.
