 The Importance of Early Identification The early identification of children who may need some kind of extra support is very important, because children whose needs are not met are essentially in danger of losing out. They may not be able to play with others or experience the learning benefits of play and being part of the setting. It's important to understand that early identification is not about sorting children into groups of 'less able' and 'more able', nor about labelling children. In fact, the aim of early identification is to consider how best to meet these children's needs. A child whose needs have not been identified, cannot fully and effectively assimilate into the curriculum, and may be discriminated against. In some cases, parents bring up concerns of their children's development to teachers in kindergarten or to their health care professionals. In other cases, a physician or pediatrician notices or has a 'hunch' about a child's development, and raise the concern to his/her parents, in which in turn, refer to the appropriate professionals for evaluation. Hence, it is crucial to observe your children and be aware of their development in the early years. Early help makes a difference. |