Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Early Childhood Special Needs Program topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District staff describe play-based program supporting children with unique needs
Summary
Program staff told the meeting transcript that Blaine County District runs a play-based early childhood program emphasizing whole-child development and multidisciplinary support, including occupational and speech therapy and two paraprofessionals.
A program staff member described Blaine County District’s early childhood program as a play-based effort that emphasizes whole-child development and supports children with unique needs.
"We have a great program here that is high quality. We're looking at the whole child. So looking at all of their developmental domains including, like, social emotional development, cognitive literacy, math, language, physical, and it just lays that foundation, for future school success, you know, and future success in in all areas of their life," the program staff member said.
The staff member said the classroom day includes "different levels of activity," including quiet time, teacher-directed time and, most prominently, play time. "They're learning through play. They're doing a lot of hands on learning, which allows them to have those opportunities to be their own teacher in a way," the staff member said.
The staff member described the program’s team as multidisciplinary: "Like I said, it's myself, our occupational therapist, and our speech and language pathologist, along with 2 awesome paraprofessionals. So these kids have wonderful support. They're really held here at the school." The staff member also noted that teachers work on motor and daily routines with children, using examples such as going to a cubby and putting away a backpack.
The comments in the transcript focus on classroom practice and staffing; no formal decisions or motions about the program are recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.
