Educational Media Reviews Online

In the mid eighties, research from the U. S. Dept. of Education revealed that children with disabilities entered adulthood with adjustment problems and those who had the most success had been included in regular classrooms during their school years. The only predictable variable was the amount of inclusion children had experienced. Boy in the World explores how the inclusive preschool experience at Brown/Fox Point School in Providence, Rhode Island for Ronen Kadmon, a Downs syndrome student, is as beneficial for him as for his classmates. The film allows the viewer to accompany Ronen during a typical school day by illustrating these inclusive experiences at the school and by demonstrating how the school values the concept that “disability does not define who you are.”

The film is divided into several sections to examine comprehensively how to achieve the inclusive environment. These sections show how adaptations are made, illustrate the benefits of bringing services to the classroom (e.g. speech, occupational, physical therapists), and demonstrate the importance of having an independent aid to assist with learning while serving as an additional teacher. The other sections discuss expectations, ways to approach the challenges of explaining differences, and the significance of visionary administrators to help assure that the process is effective. The sections are instructive and thorough while providing excellent information for viewers interested in implementing classroom inclusion. The transitions to each section flow well and the use of guitar music sets a thoughtful and appropriate mood for the discussion. Poignant comments from Ronen’s parents add a personal touch while teachers and administrators add their viewpoints to support a positive approach and good educational theories. In addition, the film illustrates, in a significant way, how the children without disabilities learn respect for differences and how to be respectful when differences are present.

During the credit frames, there are effective comments as well as information slides. The lively background music adds to the positive energy of the film. Another film Song of Our Children (2005) which explores ways schools work to be inclusive is an excellent complement to this one. Highly recommended for libraries with collections in education and psychology.