Preschool Teachers’ Experiences of Inclusive Education in Developing Children’s Communication Competence

Abstract

Processes of inclusiveness in the implementation of education, trends, and the prevailing experiences of creating inclusion in educational institutions, in the life of an institution’s community, and in educational practice, have created new challenges and opportunities for teachers. The following article shows preschool teachers’ experiences of inclusive education in developing children’s communication competence. A qualitative research strategy was chosen for the empirical study. Preschool teachers, who work in the inclusive education group and have experience of working with children with autism spectrum disorders, participated in a semi-structured interview. Teachers’ experience of inclusive education has been analysed on the basis of the following aspects: an assessment of the situation in the context of inclusive education; the organisation of children’s communication competence activities in inclusive education; preschool teachers’ feelings and their experiences; and the advantages and disadvantages of inclusive education experiences in developing children’s communication competence. The research findings show that it is difficult for teachers to work in inclusive education groups, because educational institutions lack specialists, teachers lack competencies, motivation and educational tools, and parents are not satisfied with the educational situation.