The Balance, by Dr. Catlin Tucker
Jul 14, 2026 · 26 min · 9 segments
Can kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students really thrive in student-centered learning environments? In this episode, I explore how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Station…
Catlin TuckerHost
I mean, walk into any kindergarten, first grade classroom in September, and you're gonna see learner variability, um, at its finest, right? You're just gonna get an up- up front, front row seat to how different kids are, right? Some students arrive already reading simple books.
Some have spent years in preschool environments where they've practiced classroom routines, they've worked independently, and others are entering a classroom for the very first time.
Some students can sustain attention for more extended periods of time, and others are really just learning how to stay on task for even a few minutes.
Some are super eager to ask their peers for help, and others are still figuring out how to ask for help at all.
It is the norm, and that's exactly why universal design for learning makes so much sense in the early grades.
UDL is asking us to stop designing for this kind of mythical middle learner who may or may not exist in our classrooms, and instead to anticipate learner variability from the beginning.
I mean, walk into any kindergarten, first grade classroom in September, and you're gonna see learner variability, um, at its finest, right? You're just gonna get an up- up front, front row seat to how different kids are, right? Some students arrive already reading simple books.
Some have spent years in preschool environments where they've practiced classroom routines, they've worked independently, and others are entering a classroom for the very first time.
Some students can sustain attention for more extended periods of time, and others are really just learning how to stay on task for even a few minutes.
Some are super eager to ask their peers for help, and others are still figuring out how to ask for help at all.
It is the norm, and that's exactly why universal design for learning makes so much sense in the early grades.
UDL is asking us to stop designing for this kind of mythical middle learner who may or may not exist in our classrooms, and instead to anticipate learner variability from the beginning.
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