Design and validation of a programme to improve attitudes towards disability in early childhood education

Abstract

ABSTRACT In order to achieve effective educational inclusion, positive attitudes towards disability among peers are essential. However, many studies have found a negative disposition towards this group (Álvarez 2020; Wang and Qi 2020; Werner, Peretz, and Roth 2015). Therefore, it is important to have specific programmes that help us to improve disability awareness. However, despite the relevance of the Early Childhood Education stage, no validated programmes with this objective have been found in Spain. For this reason, the PROCREADI programme has been designed. Programme for Growing up with Positive Attitudes towards Disability in Early Childhood Education [author(s)] has been designed and validated through a pilot study with a sample of 28 Infant Education students. The results show a notable improvement in attitudes and in the knowledge of the concept of disability in this experimental group. Therefore, it can be concluded that the proposed programme is a useful tool to promote greater knowledge and more positive attitudes towards people with disabilities among preschool students.