Inclusion happens with a puppet: puppets for inclusive practice in early childhood settings

ABSTRACT The early childhood sector supports the realisation of inclusive education through a range of recommendations, policy statements and resources. With such a clearly mandated movement for inclusive practice it is imperative that educators are equipped with the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to ensure the full participation of all children. Despite this understanding, a discrepancy exists between the recommendations and the confidence or capacity of early childhood professionals to realise inclusion with authenticity. This paper highlights findings from my PhD research that showed how early childhood professionals and drama educators working with young children can apply the creative arts for inclusive practice. Drawing upon the methodology of portraiture, a series of vignettes illustrate how drama, puppetry, and movement can be applied to address barriers to authentic inclusion in early childhood contexts and create a culture that embraces all children.