Rethinking early childhood intervention services: Implications for policy and practice. Paper by Tim Moore
Presented by Dr Tim Moore* as the Pauline McGregor Memorial Address at the 10th Biennial National Conference of Early Childhood Intervention Australia, and the 1st Asia Pacific Early Childhood Intervention Conference. Perth, Western Australia, 9th August 2012
ABSTRACT
Drawing on a recent major literature review of early childhood intervention services, this paper examines the aims and rationale for early childhood intervention services, and what is known about effective practice. Based on an understanding of how children (including children with disabilities) learn, the aim of early childhood intervention (and indeed of all child rearing) is to ensure that children with developmental disabilities gain the functional skills they need to participate meaningfully in their daily environments. Meaningful participation is the engine of development and the key to attaining a true sense of belonging and a satisfactory quality of life.
The implications of this reconceptualisation of the aims of early childhood intervention services for policy and practice are then considered. The policy implications explored include the question of the compatibility of prevalent funding models in Australia and elsewhere with this new understanding of the aims of early childhood intervention. The practice implications include how to build the capacity of children, families, and mainstream early childhood services, as well as those of early childhood intervention services themselves.
The ideas discussed in this presentation also have implications for our wider society. First, they suggest that we need to go beyond traditional notions of disability and think in terms of the full diversity of human ability. Second, we also need to go beyond traditional notions of inclusion, and think in terms of creating environments that are able to cater for the individual and collective needs of all children and families. Third, we need to go beyond ideas of remediation and rehabilitation, and think instead of building people’s capabilities. Ultimately, the goals of early childhood intervention can only be fully achieved through such changes in societal thinking and values.
Paper: http://www.rch.org.au/uploadedfiles/main/content/ccch/profdev/ecia_national_conference_2012.pdf
* Dr. Tim Moore, B.A., Dip.Ed., Ph.D., M.A.P.S.
Senior Research Fellow, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Manager, Research and Policy Team, Centre for Community Child Health
Honorary Senior Fellow, Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne
