Pathway to Preschool

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

“Pathway to Preschool I an eight-week summer program designed for two-year-old children who will be transitioning from early intervention to Fairfax county Public School (FCPS) early childhood special education services in September. The children receive services in a classroom setting for six weeks, followed by two weeks in community settings. The program is a partnership between the Infant and Toddler Connection of Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB), the Therapeutic Recreation Division (T-Rec) of the Department of neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), and the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Small-group therapy sessions (a maximum of six children, each with a participating parent or caregiver) are held in a preschool classroom. One ITC therapist and one T-Rec staff member lead each group. Every group includes activities that develop gross and fine motor skills, cognition, communication, and social skills. Emphasis Is placed on either “communication: or “motor” skills, depending on the needs of the children in the group. Parents are coach on strategies for meeting their child’s current Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) goals, as well as facilitating the upcoming transition to a preschool setting. Parents get to meet the parents of other children the same age and help their children interact with other children in the classroom setting. Children and parents are introduced to preschool routines to ease the transition to preschool.