To a kindergarten teacher about a child with Down's syndrome

I came to the kindergarten, let's get to know each other.

Usually, every person has 46 chromosomes, but I have 47. The twenty-first pair contains the third extra chromosome. That is why my syndrome is also called "trisomy 21 syndrome" and the day of support for people with Down's syndrome is the 21st day of the third month, i.e. March 21. On this day, people wear odd coloured socks.

My syndrome is not a disease, it is a set of signs and differences.

I want to tell you about myself.

Often people first notice differences in my appearance: slanted eyes, flattened nose and open mouth. Believe me, in 10 minutes of communication, my differences will become invisible. We are all different. In general, I'm much more like my parents than other people with trisomy are.
I am not as agile as my peers are.
I need a little more time to think and answer.
I am constantly developing, but learning is harder for me than for my peers, so I will know and be able to do less.

I also love to socialize, I feel the attitude of other people towards me very well and appreciate it. I was really looking forward to this day. Day I go to kindergarten!

I have prepared some tips and ideas to help us become friends.

Sometimes be on the same level as me! It's simple: you have to sit down next to me. Then I will be able to look you in the eyes and feel like an equal member of our team.

Call me by my first name when addressing me. Even when you talk about me with parents, let my name come up more often. This way I will understand that you are talking about me and with me.
Don't worry if I don't answer. I need time to get used to you.
Talk to me. Tell me about what I'm looking at. Let me know what we're going to do when we part ways and meet again. You are one of the first people in the "big world" and you help me understand it.

Try to speak clearly, using gestures and pausing for about 5-7 seconds. For example, you can say, "This is the bedroom, the children sleep here," and then reinforce it with a gesture: fold your hands near your ear. This way I will understand you much better.
I can respond to you with a word or a gesture. I can speak, but I speak less and not so often than my peers.

Tips and ideas to help me learn and become independent.

At first, show me the whole group: the places where I will sleep, eat, undress, go to the toilet - and then my personal items: a cabinet and a chair. By the way, it's easier to remember if you have stickers on doors and furniture. If you have them, stick them on. And if not, maybe parents will bring them?

Ask my parents what I already know and can do on my own and what I still need help with. Let me do what I have already learned. I will train to do things that are still difficult for me, I will do them slowly and gradually. But the more attempts I make and the more examples I see from other children, the better I will get at it. The simplest exercises will help me become independent and dexterous, and free up time and energy for you.

I often show my desires through my behaviour. I can hug or turn away, take the toy away or insist on giving it. Try to understand what I want and comment on my actions. For example, when I point to a toy, you can say, "Do you want this toy?," and then give it to me. This way I will know that you understand me, and I will try to speak.
I can get tired much faster than other children. Even from fun games. And when I get tired, I can keep distance, leave, lie down, or, on the contrary, be too active. You will notice that I do not follow my emotions. At a time like this, it's better to let me rest. Take my hand and let me know that I am tired. Show me a corner to rest. Gradually, I will begin to understand what it is like to get tired and will start looking for a way to relax on my own.
For my development, I need not only general classes, but also classes with specialists.

My individual development plan contains everything I need to develop. The specialists of the inclusive resource centre together with the kindergarten administration will help organize such classes.

Tips and ideas that will help me make friends with the children in the group.

Tell all the children that people are different. Ask children what they like to play. Tell them how I play. Explain what I do to request or decline. A great time to get to know each other is the morning greeting.
Invite me to play games together, give me errands (hand out brushes, paper sheets) and give me a simple task at a children's matinee. The children will see how much I can do, and I will feel like an important member of the team.

When you tell other parents about me, remember: you don't need their consent. Every parents make decisions only about their child. But a good attitude and understanding will not be superfluous. My parents can talk about me at parent-teacher conferences and even show some photos.

In general, parents are often happy to have a different child in the group. After all, we learn to understand each other, begin to appreciate our peculiarities and differences, and become kinder.

I want to tell you a big secret. There are some special places, boarding schools, where children with Down's syndrome have been taught for many years. However, there is no a special world. We all live together. I want to become independent, confident and needed. I want to meet different children, understand how the real world works, and find my place in it. You are my first reliable support in this world after my parents. Believe me, people with Down's syndrome can do a lot!