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Welcome to the Growing Ideas Toolkit, a compilation of resources designed to guide inclusive early childhood practices. In this kit are quick reference tip sheets on many relevant topics related to early childhood care and education. This resource kit was developed based on evidence that quality inclusive care and education can only happen if there is a foundation of high quality regular education practices (Sandall & Schwartz, 2002). Each sheet is designed to be a starting point, providing basic topical information and pointing the reader to some of the best sources of extended information on the topic. Topics include: developmentally appropriate practice, universal design, behavior, assessment basics, and more.

This toolkit was made possible by a collaboration of The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies and Coastal Alliance for Children’s Care Education and Supporting Services (ACCESS). Topics and content were developed with input from Maine’s Network of Child Care Resource Development Centers. Funding was provided from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Children, Youth, and Families Early Learning Opportunities Act Grant, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the Maine Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

Authors of the Growing Ideas Toolkit include: Jill Downs, Bonnie Blagojevic, Linda Labas, Martie Kendrick, and Jennifer Maeverde.

Acknowledgements

A number of organizations and individuals contributed to the production of this toolkit. Their feedback and contributions were essential to the development and completion of this product. Our sincere appreciation goes to one of our leading collaborative partners, Nan Simpson. As the former director of the Mid-Coast Resource Development Center, Nan “planted the seed” from which the toolkit grew. Special thanks to Lucille Zeph, Susan Russell, Kimberly Sawtelle, and Alan Parks for their assistance and support in organizing, editing, designing, and producing this resource.

*Sandall, S.R. & Schwartz, I.S. (2002). Building Blocks for Teaching Preschoolers with Special Needs. Baltimore, Maryland: Brookes Publishing.

The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Maine’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service, is a partnership of people that brings together the resources of the community and the University to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. We achieve our mission through interdisciplinary education, research, community service, and dissemination of information that reflect culturally competent attitudes and practices. As agents for social change, we believe in self-determination and advocacy for people with disabilities, and we are committed to community inclusion, interdependence, and the recognition of each person's ability to contribute to society.

The Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies is part of a National Network of UCEDDs established by the Developmental Disabilities Act of 2000, and sponsored by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies engages in a wide range of activities related to early childhood including: graduate study in early intervention; research, evaluation and policy analysis related to early care and early education for all children; parent and professional education; and materials development and dissemination. The Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies Early Childhood Team is available to provide technical assistance to early childhood and school settings, to help programs support all children. Technical assistance may include telephone, on-line, or on-site consultation, staff development, and training activities. Call 866/230-4520 (Voice/TTY) for further information or visit the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies Early Childhood website for on-line, early childhood education resources at http://www.ccids.umaine.edu/ec/.

The contents of this publication were made possible by a federal grant (#90LO0999) from the Child Care Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $668,220 (85% of total project costs). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official views of the funding agency, nor does publication in any way constitute an endorsement by the funding agency.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and in pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability, or veterans status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Questions and complaints about discrimination in any area of the University should be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, The University of Maine, Room 101, 5754 North Stevens Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5754, telephone 207/581-1226 (Voice/TTY). This publication is available in alternate formats to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Early Childhood Growing Ideas Tipsheet Index

Citation for this Tipsheet:
Downs, J., Blagojevic, B., Labas, L., Kendrick, M., & Maeverde, J. (2005). Resources for Guiding Early Childhood Practices. In Growing Ideas Toolkit (pp. 1-2). Orono, ME: The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies. Retrieved [INSERT MONTH, DAY, YEAR RETRIEVED], from http://www.ccids.umaine.edu/ec/growingideas/introtip.htm