Early Childhood Special Education Program (ECDD)

The Preprimary Classroom operates 5 half-days per week. Children with varying disabilities may attend. The goal of the program is to help a child perform to their highest potential in all areas of development (cognitive, social-emotional, self-help, speech and language, and motor - large and small muscle coordination), in order for the child to function with more independence. At the time the child enters the program, their skills and abilities are measured and goals are set. The staff then builds on the skills of the child.

The program is language based (ie: listening and speaking). Children learn best through constantly reviewing a concept in many different situations. They work on questions, language concepts and directions, in gym, during play, at snack, and in speech. Notes are sent home daily to encourage listening and speaking skills. The speech therapist works as needed, on specific speech sounds that the child may not be saying correctly.

Daily activities include free play, motor groups (balance activities, sensory motor skills, eye-hand coordination activities), work time (individual objectives in small groups), language group (visual and auditory skills, questions, language concepts) and snack time. Speech and language therapy is done in the room during work time. Each week, the children are involved in a snack or cooking activity which develops the muscles used for eating and speaking (oral-motor) and gym time which emphasizes large and small muscle coordination.

Language and independence are emphasized during each activity. The children know the need to attempt to use their language and try each activity. In this manner they begin to learn at their own rate.

Pre-Primary Impaired  A student watches 
as his project 
comes out of 
the printer... 
  Pre-Primary Impaired 
  while the speech 
parapro works 
with another 
student at the 
computer.