June 7, 2023
Child care providers play a vital role in the lives of young children and their families, and creating a welcoming and supportive environment benefits everyone. In a setting where all children—regardless of their abilities—share the same routines, playtime, and learning experiences, every child has the chance to grow and thrive together. These practices can offer peer role models, provide opportunities to learn and teach new skills, foster a sense of community, and encourage empathy. In such environments, the individual needs of children with special health care needs or disabilities are acknowledged and thoughtfully supported.
To learn more about developing a policy that demonstrates how you support children of all abilities for your family handbook, please visit the Maryland EXCELS Toolkit.