SPECIALIZED
EDUCATION
Children’s Resource Center’s developmental preschools are NAEYC accredited programs that provide high quality educational services for children with and without identified special needs ages three through five years. This inclusionary program educates children with delays and/or disabilities within the regular education environment. Children’s Resource Center’s (CRC) Preschool Program offers a positive and healthy learning environment which promotes a child’s self-esteem and socialization skills. CRC believes in a play based learning environment where children learn through play and exploration of their environment.
Preschool classes are generally offered according to a traditional school calendar year. Preschool services are provided at no cost to families for children with special needs and are provided for a monthly fee to families with children without special needs. All preschool classrooms are instructed by an Early Childhood Educator or Early Childhood Special Educator who has a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Education or related field and is certified by the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board. The Assistant Teachers in the classrooms have a minimum of a Child Development Associate Certification (CDA) or equivalent or are working towards a CDA Certification.
The Preschool Program implements a curriculum which is developmentally appropriate, research-based, and focuses on the whole child. The plan for curriculum considers and addresses all areas of development which includes the following areas:
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Social-Emotional
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Physical
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Language
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Cognitive
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Literacy
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Mathematics
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Science and Technology
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Social Studies
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The Arts
Daily Lessons are organized and planned by a teaching team that focus on “key experiences” that help young children to develop the skills they will need to be successful in Kindergarten.
Cognitive Skill Development
Cognitive skills are the basic mental abilities used for thinking, problem-solving, studying and learning. In children this includes the ways they solve problems and learn. As children develop cognitively, they build knowledge and learn about their environment. The key components of cognitive development include memory, concentration, attention, perception, imagination and creativity.
If a child qualifies for Cognitive Skill Development Services (also called “Specialized Instruction”) through the developmental screening and evaluation process, intervention services will be provided by an Early Childhood Educator or Early Childhood Special Educator in a child’s natural environment. For children ages birth through two years this is usually the home or a childcare setting. For children ages three through five years it is often a preschool or other educational setting. The goal of Cognitive Skill Development is to develop or improve a child’s ability to learn, study, analyze, recall information, and make associations between various pieces of information in order for the child to successfully process information. Strong cognitive skills are the basis for strong academic performance.
Activities to Focus on for Cognitive Skill Development:
Reading
One of the components of cognitive development is language skills. Reading activities are very important for helping children to develop language skills. Also, interacting through books can promote verbal skills and visual development.
Memory
Building skills in concentration and memory are a part of cognitive development. Various activities such as matching games, puzzles, and toys that focus on construction help to build a child’s cognitive ability.
Mathematics
Math skills are also a component of cognitive skill development. Activities that encourage learning and talking about numbers, playing math games, and counting can help children to build cognitive skills.
Creativity
Creative activities can help to promote many types of learning and build important connections in the brain. Art and music activities can promote and encourage a child’s cognitive development.