Baby Steps - Parent/Infant Class The
Baby Steps class is designed for parents or other primary caregivers
to attend with their infants. Research in the last ten years
has shown that the important first relationships between infants and
their parents are the foundation for young children's development,
particularly their social/emotional and communication
development. Part of the curriculum for Baby Steps class was
designed by researchers at the University of Washington and is
entitled, "Promoting First Relationships". This
approach to early intervention with infants has been shown to be
"the most effective way to help children develop the feelings
of trust, security, and positive sense of self needed to freely
explore, learn, and develop to their full potential." (Kelly,
Zuckerman, Sandoval, Buehlman, 2003). During Baby Step class
parents and caregivers can expect to enjoy play time with their
infants and participate in discussions with other parents on various
topics relevant to parenting children with special needs.
Family Co-op Playgroup
Family Co-op is a structured playgroup with
predictable routines. Relationships are nurtured between caregiver
and child, between children including siblings, and among adults to
create a strong learning community for all.
Playgroup is caregiver-child focused. During
most of each class caregivers are expected to support their child
and participate in activities together.
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Class structure includes: free play, music,
snack, and motor room, with planned activities and field trips.
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Caregivers participate in routines with
their child and observe their child’s responses in settings
other than home. Caregivers may bring parts of the class into
their home routines (e.g. singing songs as part of transitions,
increasing self-feeding, trying new activities).
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Promotes child independence with adult and
educator support.
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Supports caregiver-child dyad with:
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Modeling of teaching/learning
strategies by educators and other caregiver-child dyads.
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Providing direct instruction about how
children learn, including observation, reflection and some
hand outs.
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Answering caregiver questions regarding
their child’s development.
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Parent coaching.
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Family counseling support. A family
therapist attends class once per month and can meet with
individual families upon request.
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Caregivers include: biological parents,
adoptive parents, foster parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles,
nannies, etc. Siblings are enthusiastically welcomed.
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Children have access to their primary
language during class via their parent (and during Spanish
Speaking Co-op classes).
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Parents are encouraged to share songs and
activities from their cultural background.
Stepping Stones Toddler Preschool
We believe that
children learn through their interactions with others and their
environment; Stepping Stones is an integrated, early childhood
enrichment program designed to enhance thinking, social, language,
motor and independence skills in children of all abilities. During a
Stepping Stones session, children participate in dramatic play, art
activities, sensory play, manipulative activities, and gross motor
play in carefully designed environments. The predictable classroom
schedule offers structured snack and circle time within the context
of a predictable classroom schedule. For a class size of thirteen 22
to 42 month old children, staff members include a certified special
education teacher, physical or occupational therapist,
speech/language pathologist, and two assistant educators whose
collective goal to is encourage social interaction and independence
while providing just the right amount of support to develop new and
refine existing skills. Staff are well-equipped to help children
become comfortable separating from their parents. Caregivers are
always welcome to observe class through each of the rooms’ one way
windows!
Stepping Stones
Is a Place to:
Make friends
Have fun
Be independent
Try new things
Practice skills
Receive support
Individual Education Services
Home
Visits:
Parents
are the most important members of the early intervention team.
Home visits provide the opportunity for frequent consultation
on your child’s growth and development with an educator in the
child's familiar environment. Every child and family is unique and
your child's home program will be tailored to best meet your
family's needs. Supporting
the parent-child relationship is an essential component of the
program so it is important and expected that one or both parents or
primary caregiver are present and active participants during home
visits.
Center
Visits:
If
parents prefer, individual educational services can be received at
Kindering Center. Some
children come to Kindering Center to receive other therapies, so it
may be more convenient for parents to schedule educational visits on
the same day. An
individual education room is available for such sessions.
As with a home visit, it is important that one or both
parents or primary caregiver are active participants during center
visits.
Community:
Educational
services are offered to children and their families within our
community. Community
programs such as; child care, parks, and private clubs/organizations
are a unique way to provide services to children in their natural
environments with typically developing peers.
Educational services
that are community based provide opportunities for children to learn within their established daily schedules/routines.
Role
Model Opportunity
Being a role model in one of
Kindering Center's Stepping Stones toddler preschool classrooms is a
great way for young children to be in a nurturing and social
atmosphere, while developing their play and social skills.
Participating in a group can also foster a sense of independence and
boost a child's self-esteem. If you have a child between the
ages of 22 to 42
months, and are interested in having him/her be a
role model in one of our preschool classes, or if you would just
like more information about the program, please give Katrine Miller,
Preschool Coordinator, a call. (425) 747-4004 ext. 4300.
