HOW SIOLTA, AISTEAR AND AIM
PROMOTE AND SUPPORT THE CHILD'S
RIGHTS WITH THE ADDITIONAL NEED
WHAT SUPPORTS SÍOLTA, AISTEAR AND AIM ABOUT
THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS
Síolta, Aistear and the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) play a crucial
role in safeguarding children's rights with additional needs in ELC in
Ireland. These frameworks ensure that children have equitable
opportunities to thrive in inclusive educational environments, in line
with international agreements such as the United Nations Convention
on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (Flood & Kirby, 2021).
SÍOLTA: THE NATIONAL QUALITY FRAMEWORK
Síolta, emphasizes inclusion, respect for diversity and the holistic
development of each child and advocates for inclusion in ECCE. This
framework provides guidelines that directly address the needs of
children with additional requirements. Some of these key standards,
such as Standard 5 (Interactions) and Standard 14 (Identity and
Belonging) highlight the importance of creating respectful and
inclusive environments that support the development of each child as
a unique individual (Flood & Kirby, 2021).
Professionals are encouraged to collaborate with families, therapists
and other professionals to ensure that the child's needs are effectively
met, fostering a sense of belonging and equality (Centre for Early
Childhood Development and Education [CECDE], 2006).
AISTEAR: THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM
FRAMEWORK
Aistear offers a flexible curriculum, promoting play-based and child-
centered learning designed to meet diverse needs, including those
with additional needs. The themes of the framework (well-being,
identity, and belonging, communication and exploration and thinking)
support inclusive learning (Flood & Kirby, 2021).
For example, Aistear recognizes that children with additional needs
need to have personalized and individualized approaches to fully
engage with their learning, promoting a sense of belonging, where
over time, this can ensure that all children feel like valued members
of their community (Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum
Framework).
By encouraging individualized learning strategies, Aistear supports
educators to cater to the strengths and interests of children with
additional needs (Flood & Kirby, 2021).
AIM: ACCESS AND INCLUSION MODEL
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) was introduced in 2016 to
improve the inclusion of children with additional needs in ECCE
settings. AIM provides seven levels, offering tailored support, training
and funding to ensure inclusive participation (Department of Children,
Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth [DCEDIY], 2021).
For example, Tier 4 provides access to expert advice and mentoring,
while Tier 5 offers grants for specialist resources (Department of
Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth [DCEDIY], 2021).
AIM encourages problem-solving between educators, parents and
specialists, fostering environments where children with additional
needs can fully participate in ELC (Flood & Kirby, 2021).
PROMOTING RIGHTS THROUGH INCLUSION
Síolta, Aistear and AIM emphasize a rights-based approach,
supporting the principles of inclusion, thereby ensuring that children
with additional needs have equal opportunities to learn and grow
(Flood & Kirby, 2021). Articles 2 and 23 of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child emphasize the right to non-discrimination and
access to appropriate care for children with disabilities (United
Nations, 1898).
These frameworks empower educators to value diversity, and foster
inclusion, helping them to reach their full potential in a supportive and
inclusive environment (Flood & Kirby, 2021; National Council for
Curriculum and Assessment [NCCA], 2009; Department of Children,
Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth [DCEDIY], 2021).
REFERENCES
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
(DCEDIY). (2021). Access and Inclusion Model (AIM). Retrieved from
[https://aim.gov.ie] (https://aim.gov.ie)
- Flood, E., & Kirby, A. (2021). Assisting Children with Additional Needs
in Early Learning and Care.
- National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). (2009).
Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. Dublin: NCCA.
Retrieved from [https://ncca.ie/en/early-childhood/aistear]
(https://ncca.ie/en/early-childhood/aistear)
- United Nations. (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Retrieved from [https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention]
(https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention)
