The Prep Preschool Program

Is your child approaching preschool age? Do you find yourself worrying about how your autism spectrum or SID (Sensory Integration Dysfunction) child will be able to handle nursery school and a group learning environment? If so, you're not alone, and help and support is available.

Many children require attention, instruction and supervision beyond what is offered by traditional preschools. It may take your child much longer to adjust to new situations and people than other children his or her age. The Growing Together Therapy Center is committed to providing the highest quality programs, run by caring and patient individuals who truly want to influence your child's life in a positive way.

Our Prep Preschool Program is designed to ease your child into the preschool setting at a steady, comfortable pace. We do require that Moms and Dads remain present for the first few classes, as this helps the children make a gradual adjustment while giving their confidence a boost.

Prep Preschool is one of our most popular group sessions - truly an enriching experience where children make new friends, engage in fun, creative activities, and feel proud of their newfound independence, skills and achievements.

Classes are filling up fast, so don't miss this opportunity to engage your child in a fundamental program that will serve as a building block for his or her future happiness and success. The Prep Preschool Program will help you:

• Navigate the separation from Mom in a natural and incremental way
• Assist young children for whom transition can be especially challenging (autism, adaptive dysfunction)
• Familiarize your child with the purpose and routine of school
• Bridge the gap between early intervention and actual migration to the school district
• Assimiliate the skills learned in our beginner programs by applying them in a social setting that mirrors real life
• Develop your child's skills in areas such as language, play, fine, gross motor, self-help and socialization
• Address the developmental milestones through age-appropriated activities

How This Program Works:

Our Prep Preschool Class is designed to prepare 2 1/2-year-old children for transition into preschool by their third birthday. It is specially geared toward children with developmental delay and who are on the autism spectrum. This intensive group treatment combines the relevant aspects of developmental therapy, with parental support. The primary goal is to help children adapt to new environments and ease the separation from a parent or caretaker.

There are three phases to the Prep Preschool Program. Each one works as a gradual stepping stone to ease the dependence on Mom and vice versa. The same protocol and schedule is followed in our classroom as it is in standard preschool, so that the children will be prepared for what's to come in the future.

• In Phase 1, parents are included right along with the children in activities such as circle time, table top activities, art, storytime, free play and snack time.

• In Phase 2, Moms and Dads engage in some of the activities together with the children. For other exercises, they remain in the same room but off to the side, as a means of preparing the children for Phase 3 of the course.

• In Phase 3, children are weaned from their dependence on Mom and Dad; parents are no longer present in the classroom during activities. This takes place in gradual steps so that the children do not become alarmed or upset by the separation.

Additional goals of the Prep Preschool Program include increased independence, effective communication, following routines and schedules, increased attention skills; smooth transitioning between activities and environments, and positive interaction with staff, peers, toys, and materials. Each month a progress report will provided to inform you about your child's learning progress in the class.

Prep Preschool class is offered twice a week until the child's third birthday. Classes consist of 4-5 children in a group. Children will have the opportunity to engages in fun activities while learning and thriving among peers on their level.

To learn more, discuss your unique needs, and enroll your child in the Prep Preschool Program, contact us today.

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