Experts say that the implicit and explicit messages early childhood practitioners (and caregivers) send about disability have important consequences for young children's developing identities and sense of belonging. Here are a list of resources for both adults and kids on disability and inclusion.
Articles
Practicing Inclusion, Doing Justice: Disability, Identity, And Belonging in Early Childhood. Margaret R. Beneke, Jennifer R. Newton, Meghan Vinh, Sheresa Boone Blanchard, and Peggy Kemp. Drawing on research and examples from practice, the authors of this article explain how early educators can challenge and change deficit-based assumptions about disability and other forms of diversity by practicing inclusion.
How to Teach Children About Disabilities and Inclusion. Baylor University. Overview of the importance of educating kids about disability and inclusion and age-appropriate teaching methods on the subject from Baylor University’s master’s in social work program.
Children’s Books
Pre-K
My Brother Charlie. Holly Robinson Peete. "Charlie has autism. His brain works in a special way. It's harder for him to make friends. Or show his true feelings. Or stay safe." But as his big sister tells us, for everything that Charlie can't do well, there are plenty more things that he's good at. He knows the names of all the American presidents. He knows stuff about airplanes. And he can even play the piano better than anyone he knows.
Best Friends. Sheri Safran. A positive celebration of friendship for all children, including those with special needs.
That's what friends do. Kathryn Cave. If you are lost in the wood, I will find you. If you're afraid of the cold and the dark, I'll sit beside you. With subtle text and expressive illustrations, That's What Friends Do beautifully evokes the joys of giving and receiving true friendship.
One, two, three jump! Carol Thompson. Little Movers Run, climb, crawl or jump - everybody loves to move! Fast or slow, up or down, alone or with our friends! Carol Thompson's exquisite illustrations allow us to share and explore the struggles, achievements and sheer delight of children learning to manage and explore early movement challenges.
Just because. Rebecca Elliott. This heartwarming picture book about being perfectly loved, no matter what, tells of a brother's love for his sister. He is so enthusiastic about just how loving and special she is, and delights in telling us about all the fun things they do together. This amusing and often touching story encompasses the issue of disability in a charming celebration of sibling friendship to which all children can relate.
Dad and Me in the Morning. Patricia Lakin. Early one morning, a young boy wakes to the light of his alarm clock. He puts on his hearing aids and clothes, then goes to wake his father. Together they brave the cold as they walk down the dirt road that leads to the beach. Lakin’s understated story reminds readers that sometimes the best way to communicate doesn’t involve words
The Black Book of Colors. Menena Cottin. Living with the use of one's eyes can make imagining blindness difficult, but this innovative title invites readers to imagine living without sight through remarkable illustrations done with raised lines and descriptions of colors based on imagery.
Russ and the Firehouse. Janet Elizabeth Rickert. Russ, a five-year-old with Down syndrome, visits his uncle's firehouse and gets to help with the daily chores.
Susan Laughs. Jeanne Willis. Susan laughs, she sings, she rides, she swings. She gets angry, she gets sad, she is good, she is bad. In fact, Susan is the same as any other child. It is only when we turn the last page that we discover that Susan is in a wheelchair – a revelation that paves the way for discussion about an important issue.
Can i play too? Mo Willems. Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. In Can I Play Too? Gerald and Piggie meet a new snake friend who wants to join in a game of catch. But don't you need arms to catch?
A boy and a jaguar. Alan Rabinowitz: Alan loves animals, but the great cat house at the Bronx Zoo makes him sad. Why are they all alone in empty cages? Are they being punished? More than anything, he wants to be their champion—their voice—but he stutters uncontrollably.
Zoom! Robrt Munsch. Lauretta's mother takes her to buy a new wheelchair, but Lauretta isn't satisfied with a regular five-speed or ten-speed model. No, she insists on the 92-speed, black, silver, and red dirt-bike wheelchair. When she gets a speeding ticket during a one-day tryout, her parents insist that the chair be returned to the store . . . until Lauretta's older brother has an accident and only one person can whisk him to the hospital on time--Lauretta, in her amazing wheelchair!
Ben's Adventure: day at the beach. Elizabeth Gerlach. In this fun first adventure in the series, you'll smile as you join Ben on his first adventure to the beach. He uses a wheelchair but shows he is just like any other child. The important themes of inclusion and empathy, friendship and connection are suitable for everyone, helping us to accept and embrace differences and appreciate what makes us unique.
My Friend Isabelle. Elizabeth Woloson. Isabelle and Charlie are friends. They both like to draw, dance, read, and play at the park. They both like to eat Cheerios. They both cry if their feelings are hurt. And, like most friends, they are also different from each other. Isabelle has Down syndrome. Charlie doesn't. Written by Isabelle's mother, this charming tale encourages readers to think about what makes a friendship special
Strictly No Elephants. Lisa Mantchev. In this bestselling and internationally beloved picture book, the local Pet Club won’t admit a boy’s tiny pet elephant, so he finds a solution—one that involves all kinds of unusual animals.
K-3rd grade