September 13, 2024

Elevating Early Learning: Discover the Latest Edition of Building Blocks for Inclusive Classrooms 

Anticipation and enthusiasm surround the release of the fourth edition of “Building Blocks for Teaching Young Children in Inclusive Settings.” This latest edition stands as a testament to ongoing progress in early childhood education, offering a blend of innovative insights and practical advice. Dr. Susan Sandall, along with her esteemed co-authors Drs. Ariane Gauvreau, Gail E. Joseph, and Ilene S. Schwartz, has crafted a resource that merges contemporary research with practical strategies, guiding educators in their pursuit of creating inclusive and supportive learning environments for every child.  

Sandall, whose expertise in special education and early childhood studies has significantly shaped the field, reflects on the evolution of Building Blocks. “The origins of Building Blocks go way back to the 1990s, when we were tasked with looking at the barriers and facilitators of preschool inclusion,” Sandall shares. “The goal was to identify both the obstacles and supports necessary to make inclusion a reality in preschool settings.” The fourth edition represents a substantial enhancement, integrating new insights and addressing contemporary challenges with a clear, user-friendly approach.  

Among the notable updates is a new chapter on ongoing assessment and data-based decision-making. Sandall explains, “We added a chapter on ongoing assessment and data-based decision-making because we needed to be a little bit more explicit about how to collect ongoing information about how children are doing and how to make good teaching decisions.” Another major update is the expanded chapter on teaming and collaboration. “There was a chapter about that in previous editions, but this one is far more up-to-date and consistent with what really is happening in classrooms and systems,” Sandall notes.  

A standout feature of this edition is its enhanced focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Unlike previous editions, where DEI was addressed in various contexts, the new edition integrates these principles throughout the text. Sandall highlights, “One of the things we took seriously from feedback from our readers is that they wanted to see themselves in the book and the chapters.” So, while we always thought of classrooms very broadly, we were very intentional in talking about childcare centers, childcare homes, Head Start programs—the whole range of preschool programs.”  

The fourth edition also embraces technological advancements with updated resources and tools. New checklists, planning forms, and professional development modules have been added to help educators implement the book’s strategies with ease. Sandall emphasizes, “We’ve added several new useful tools, checklists, and planning forms. We have new resources that people can use.”  

A key element in the success of the fourth edition was the extensive workshops and training conducted by the Professional Development and Training (PD) team. Over the past year, the PD team, led by Dr. Ariane Gauvreau, has collaborated with partners in Washington, Oregon, and New Mexico, utilizing the new forms that focus on implementation support. Gauvreau shares, “Many of the updates in this edition came from our PD work and feedback from teaching teams. We heard that program leaders were looking for ways to support teachers as they implement the Building Blocks framework and created many new forms to support this part of the work.” The positive feedback from teachers and leaders has highlighted the practical impact of these efforts. 

Sandall and her team have found the success of Building Blocks to be incredibly rewarding. “The feedback has been far beyond what I ever expected,” she says. “The fact that people use it, they grab the next editions, and they update—it’s really quite rewarding.” As Sandall looks toward the future, she expresses excitement about the continued influence of Building Blocks. “We brought Ariane on as an additional author because we want this to continue as we move on to the retirement phase of our lives. We’re excited that this work and this thinking will continue to influence what happens in early childhood settings.”  

The fourth edition of Building Blocks highlights a commitment to creating inclusive early childhood education. By combining research with practical tools and a thoughtful approach, it ensures that educators are well-equipped to foster supportive and enriching learning environments for every child.