ABSTRACT

Although the current focus of response-to-intervention (RtI) across most districts is with school-aged children, there is growing awareness that the framework can and should be used in preschool settings. This chapter assists early childhood educators in the implementation of the RtI framework. The early childhood culture asserts that adults play a pivotal role in helping children reach their fullest potential through building from students’ strengths in strong partnership with families. Universal screening is conducted with all children to provide a quick check on whether the child’s development is on target. Students who are identified as at risk on screening measures are progress monitored on a more frequent basis using the same measures. A multitiered system of instructional supports allows the intensity of supports and services to increase as the intensity of the child’s needs increases. The teacher provides all children with a research-based curriculum and effective teaching strategies.