Region 4 Collaborative Preschool prepares your child for success!
 | The Collaborative Preschool Program serves children residing in Chester, Deep River, and Essex. The program is comprised of children with and without special needs. “Community Kids”, those children in the classroom without identified special needs, come from all three towns and are treated identically to our identified children. We encourage all parents to refer to their children as program participants and not to discriminate based on status. |
DESCRIPTION OF THE INTEGRATED PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
In our classrooms we use a lively approach to teaching called the Storybook Curriculum. This program was originally developed by a Speech and Language Pathologist and a Special Education teacher: we have taken their core ideas and expanded on them. The Storybook Curriculum uses language rich, popular children’s books as the theme for all classroom activities. Some of the books we have successfully used in the past include Caps For Sale, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Typically we stay with each book for three to four weeks. We use the book to teach communication, to teach concepts, fine gross motor skills and to richly expand the student’s vocabulary. In addition we work on sensory integration, social skills and interactive play skills using a variety of teacher-made and commercially available material.
The emphasis of the Storybook Curriculum is learning through multiple exposures to the same concepts. We all know young children enjoy repetition and routines. In using a book as a theme, we are able to develop many exciting activities that reinforce that theme in a way that is meaningful to them. One of the indirect benefits of implementing the Storybook-Based Curriculum is the increased opportunity for parental involvement. All the parents are encouraged to obtain copies of the selected books and read them to their child to reinforce the skills children are learning during their school day. Current research shows that children typically request that a favorite book be read to them 200 to 400 times! We are creative in presenting chosen stories and use a repertoire of modes. These include big books, interactive books (where matching velcroed pieces may be pulled off and the children help mend the “broken” book by sticking them back on the right page with the right orientation), puppets, puffy book props, story objects and felt board pieces. By the end of the unit the children are thoroughly familiar with the story and the morning class children have created their own story board with a set of props to assist them with retelling the story at home. With multiple opportunities for exposure to cognitive concepts and vocabulary the children acquire new skills.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INTENSIVE INSTRUCTION PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM
The intensive instruction preschool classroom is a small, sensory rich environment with a high staff/student ratio. The curriculum is individually organized to help children learn the skills needed to engage in a larger group setting. In this classroom, school readiness skills in all developmental domains are taught in one-on-one work therapy sessions. Children are given the opportunity to practice the new skills with select peers in a small group setting. Once these pre-taught skills are mastered, the children are included in the integrated preschool setting during circle time, interactive play, snack time, etc. Additionally, children in the intensive classroom participate in weekly specials (music and gym), appropriate therapies, and all other general preschool happenings.
Essex Elementary School 108 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT | (860) 767-8215 |
