Training early childhood professionals using an interprofessional practice field experience

The preparation of early childhood professionals to work with children with disabilities and their families traditionally has taken place in the classroom setting. However, changes in legal requirements (i.e. Individuals with Disabilities Education and Improvement Act) and student demographics have required personnel preparation programs to redesign the field experiences that students partake in to connect content, pedagogy, and disposition. Given the complexity of working with children with disabilities and their families, preparing early childhood professionals to work with these children and families within an interdisciplinary context is needed. Partnering with a medical clinic that specifically serves children with disabilities and their families is one way to provide a valuable field experience for preservice early childhood professionals. This article presents the Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Service (CMS) clinic experience in which preservice early childhood educators participated. Findings indicate that preservice teachers participating in this field experience gain a broader understanding of partnering with families and professionals across disciplines, and a deeper understanding of disability from a family's perspective. Thus, the article demonstrates the need for preservice professionals to receive training in nontraditional field experiences to better serve children with disabilities and their families.