Last night we went to Harry’s end of year kindy concert (kindy or kindergarten is pre-school for all the non-Aussies). As we close the chapter on our kindy year and get ready to start at big school next year, I reflected on our first year in the education system.
Whilst this year has had its challenges, not once have we had to advocate for our son to be an included and valued member of his kindy. Not once.
Inclusion has been a given.
Inclusion looks like a young boy standing at the back of his kindy class photo because, as one of the tallest in his class, that is where he should be. On careful inspection, the trained eye of his mother can see the kindy director standing close behind him to support him as he stands.
Included.
Inclusion sounds like the glorious cacophony created by 4 and 5 year old voices at their end of year kindy concert followed by a well rehearsed silence. When out of the silence comes the next line of the song spoken by a young boy using his talker, then quickly enveloped again by the enthusiastic singing of his peers. In reality the silence was inevitably not as quiet as I am sure had been practised, but it made his mother’s eyes prick then and again now knowing that his voice was heard and valued.
Included.
Inclusion is a young boy telling the artist who is drawing his portrait to put basketballs on his top because, whilst the young boy may not have the dexterity yet to draw a self-portrait, he can still have his say to ensure it represents him. And he can then paint it with all the colours of joy and enthusiasm that shine through him onto his beautiful self-portrait to be hung up alongside all the other self-portraits of his kindy class.
Included.
These may be only a few examples and we may be only a year into our education journey, but I can’t help but wonder…
If Harry continues to be surrounded by people for whom inclusion is a given, who don’t expect anyone to advocate for it because it’s just what they do, imagine how much we could all learn and grow along the way – his peers, his school, his family, his community and most importantly him, Harry.
Give the boy a chance 
Yes yes yes yes yes! Merry Christmas to you and all your readers who are riding their shining steeds, charging ahead on the front lines of the inclusion revolution. (Always fancied myself as a bit of a shield maiden).
LikeLike
Yes, I love this and picturing us all as part of an inclusion revolution! Your description is perfection. I’m glad we’re all on it together 😀
LikeLike
I can tell you this mother’s eyes not only pricked, but overflowed reading this 🙂 As we head to our daughter’s concert tonight, I am so thankful that Harry’s year has turned out so wonderfully for you all and pray that Makenzie continues to be as inclusive as she grows as she is now in her own life. Bless you all and Merry Christmas! What a clever boy you have and how much he has grown XXX
LikeLike
Oh thank you so much Amy! I hope Mackenzie’s concert was just as wonderful for you all!
I am sure she will as she has a mum who is aware and supportive of inclusion and hopefully also has an inclusive school where she will also meet all sorts of kids with all sorts of backgrounds and abilities.
Merry Christmas to you too x
LikeLike