An Important Responsibility

"For as long as I can remember, I have been disturbed by how people tend to exclude others who look, speak, believe or behave differently. I heard the jeers made by classmates about my father's physical disability; listened to my friend, Sarah, repeat back a joke that someone told at her expense, yet convinced her it was funny; and worked with countless families searching for an early childhood program that would welcome their child rather than slam the door in their faces."

This is how Kate Jordan-Downs, director of inclusion at KinderCare, begins her article, "A Journey Towards Inclusion," in the January/February 2016 issue of Exchange. Jordan-Downs reminds early childhood educators and leaders, "We hold immense power and responsibility in our hands. We have the ability to impact the earliest experiences of entire generations... By welcoming children of all abilities and life experiences, we take the first step in changing the general belief that high-quality early learning settings are only available to certain children. We are sending a message that each child is not only welcome, but a valued member of their center family—a message that will positively influence their growing sense of self-worth."

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