This is the trainer's guide to go along with the second edition of the ""Building Blocks"" book, which provides trainers with a complete package of PowerPoint slides, presentation notes, handouts, and videos to train early childhood educators in implementing the Building Blocks framework for inclusion of preschoolers with special needs. The book and this trainer's guide offer teachers effective, research-based instructional practices to promote learning in their inclusive classrooms. Following the same outline as the second edition, the trainer's guide provides more information on how the Building Blocks framework fits within the current knowledge base of research-supported and recommended practices. It will also explicitly explain the relationship between specially designed instruction, (high quality early childhood programs, curriculum modifications and adaptations, embedded learning opportunities, child-focused instructional strategies) and outline the principles of universal design as an approach to accessing the general education curriculum. Finally, this edition shows how Building Blocks can be used to improve children's function outcomes in relation to federal requirements in early childhood special education (OSEP) Additional features of the trainer's guide include: new module on planning for instruction as well as additional strategies not covered in the book; explicit instructions on how to use the forms in the book and sample scenarios for practice scoring; and, ideas for activities to do at the end of each module to connect to specific challenges/questions provided by training participants.
