Favourite storybook for celebrating diversity and inclusion?
It’s hard to pick just one! I love tapping into We Need Diverse Books to find new books by authors from all around the world. I look for titles that tell the stories of celebration, diversity and community in ways which feel natural and simply reflect the wider world around us.
One title that I love is The Two Hearted Numbat by Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina, which explores what it means to find your true heart.
Go-to strategy for making every child feel they belong?
A teacher I knew would stand at the door of the classroom and give each child a personal greeting that would make them feel welcomed, valued and special. She would make eye contact if that was something the child was comfortable doing and would spend a moment or two engaging with each and every child.
It didn’t matter what had happened in the morning before school, or how rushed or unsettled they were feeling as they came into the room – that couple of moments of deliberate, personal connection made the world of difference.
What excites you about the future of inclusion in ECE?
What excites me is that one day we won’t need to have conversations about ‘inclusion’ – it will just be the way our learning settings, communities and workplaces are all the time. Inclusion to me means the actions and interactions which take place every day, rather than just being about a physical place.
Approaches like the Sunflower Hidden Disability programme which encourages schools, community settings and workplaces to display a sunflower symbol and train their staff in how to work well with people who have a hidden disability can make a big difference to everyday experiences.
One small change educators can make to create a more inclusive environment?
Make a communication rich environment. Create opportunities to communicate, and reasons to do so.
This could be as simple as changing a wall display, sharing a story, adding interesting natural found objects to a science table or using an unfamiliar, interesting word in a comment you make to a child.
Best piece of advice you’ve received about supporting children with diverse needs?
I have two!
The first is to be still, notice and pay attention to what is happening in your setting, then adjust. Early years and school settings can be such busy places! That time you spend in quiet observation helps you tune into the small signals that could tell you it’s time for a change of activity, an adjustment to the sensory environment or a chance to embrace a teachable moment.
The other piece of advice is to listen to families. Notice what they say, and what they don’t. Think about what it really means when you plan collaboratively and make true partnerships that hold real value.
Most memorable teaching moments?
My first class was with five students who had complex physical, sensory and health needs. We used to spend a lot of our time out of the school in the community, going to shops, swimming at the pool, bowling or visiting a local park. I sometimes thought we did more educating of people in the community than anything else!
It was amazing how many people would try to talk to me instead of my students – I think they just didn’t know how to approach a conversation with someone who was in a wheelchair or who did not use spoken language.
About Anne Vize
Anne Vize specialises in writing for children and young people who learn in different and unique ways. She is a special educator and writer from Melbourne and works to develop print and digital resources for children, their teachers and supporters. She works in the vocational sector developing learning resources for training providers and creates freelance content to support the new vocational major curriculum in Victoria. Anne is fortunate to be able to divide her time between writing and exploring the wonders of sailing and windsurfing on the stunning Port Phillip Bay.
Anne brings a deep understanding of how to create meaningful, inclusive learning resources that respect and engage diverse learners. Her work is grounded in classroom experience and a belief that every student deserves content that reflects their world, without distractions or clutter.
From literacy and life skills to employability and vocational learning, Anne’s resources support students who learn differently – offering clear, age-appropriate materials with real-life relevance.
Widely published across Australia, New Zealand and the UK, her work is trusted by teachers seeking practical, accessible tools that help all learners thrive, grow and see themselves in their learning.
