The concrete objectives of this project was to support young learners (aged 6-10) in becoming more confident through the collection of success stories in which they can identify themselves, strengthen inclusion and diversity in the classrooms and foster the development of learners’ key competencies and basic skills (literacy and digital skills) and provide inclusive learning resources for learners and teachers. Through the development of confidence (the confidence and self-esteem play a crucial role in education), we wanted to tackle learning disadvantages and support the prevention of early school leaving.Truly inclusive classrooms need books and stories that support inclusive goals and offer the possibility for identification for all pupils and all children need good role models to support their development.Despite the efforts to create more inclusive stories and inclusive classrooms in general, research shows that contemporary children’s literature often reproduces stereotypes, and children’s literature that accurately portrays characters with a disability is one tool that can be used to promote awareness, and enhance inclusion and understanding, while strengthening basi competences (literacy and digital skills).
The project objectives was to support young learners in becoming more confident through success stories in which they can identify themselves, strengthen inclusion and diversity in the classrooms and foster the development of pupils’ key competencies and basic skills. We focused on ability and disability in this project, because pupils with disabilities may have average or above average intelligence, but repeated academic failure weakens their confidence and self-esteem. Many struggle with school success and are at risk of early school leaving. Thus, it is crucial to start strengthening self-confidence in the early years of schooling.Inclusive classrooms need books and stories that support inclusive goals and offer the possibility for identification for all pupils. Children need good role models to support their development and shape their behaviour, their relationships, and the decisions they will make; because they are affected by the stories they read. Characters with disabilities are often presented as ‘poor little things’ who are dependent, passive and unable to defend themselves, and we wanted to change that. Also, stories enhance literacy skills, develop vocabulary, improve learn language and story structure.