The Hidden Curriculum of Exclusion: Disability Inclusion in Foundational Learning

A child can learn a lot about belonging before anyone teaches the first lesson.

For children with disabilities, exclusion often appears in ordinary classroom moments: a worksheet they cannot access, a group activity that does not accommodate their participation, or lowered expectations that go unnoticed. Children may receive help without being fully included in learning alongside their peers.

While these moments may seem small, repeated experiences can shape whether children feel valued, whether their contributions are welcomed, and whether they truly belong in the classroom.

This matters for foundational learning. Children learn better when they can participate, communicate, ask questions, take risks, and feel included in the learning environment.

Have you experienced this hidden curriculum of exclusion, or seen it happen around you?

#FLNforAll is a campaign by the WICCI Early Childhood Inclusion Council promoting disability inclusion in foundational learning.