Sharon is the mother of Tiana, a kindergarten student who does not have a disability. It is time for parent-teacher conferences, and Sharon is sharing with Tiana’s teacher some of the benefits that Sharon has seen in Tiana as a result of being in an inclusive classroom. What might Sharon say?

Question

Tiana has gotten her homework done faster.

Tiana has become better at waking up in the morning.

Tiana has become more kind and empathetic.

Tiana has expressed interest in a wider variety of activities.

Answer 1

Sharon might say something like this:

"I’ve really noticed some wonderful changes in Tiana since she’s been in an inclusive classroom. One of the biggest things is how much more kind and empathetic she’s become. She seems to understand and care about her classmates’ feelings more than before, which I believe comes from interacting with children of diverse abilities.

Additionally, I've seen her express interest in a much wider variety of activities. She’s been eager to try things she might not have considered before, and I think it's because she sees her friends engaging in those activities and feels encouraged to join in.

I also want to mention how she seems to get her homework done faster. Perhaps being in an environment where she has role models, including her classmates, has motivated her to focus more and manage her time better.

Overall, I really appreciate the positive impact that inclusive education has had on Tiana’s growth both academically and socially."