Anahera

Welcoming and Preparing For All Children Through Inclusion

Anahera is 2.5 years old and has recently moved with her parents, Kai and Ria, from New Zealand to Europe. She will soon be starting in an English-speaking kindergarten. The languages which are spoken within the familyare English and Maori. Anaherahas been diagnosed with Down Syndrome andreceivesseveral services such as speech therapy and physiotherapy, which are carried out in English. However,thus far,sheonly speaks about twenty wordsof the language. There is also an English-speaking specialist helping Anahera’s parents in supporting her, using early intervention to realiseher full potential in life.

Age: 2 years and 4 months

Home language: English and Maori

Additional language spoken: -

According to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), all children have the right to social participation. Inclusion aims to enable all people, with or without disabilities, regardless of their cultural background or language, their religious beliefs, genderidentityor sexuality, to participate in society and to ensure fair educational opportunities (Nations, 2006)(Nations, 1989).

• What extra steps in communicating with Kai and Ria should the educators take before the start of Anahera's settling in?

• What steps can the educators take to include Anahera in her kindergarten community?

• What tools do the educators need to create an inclusive environment for Anahera?