Learning Differences and Obstacles:  What gets in the way of reading

Presented by: Kathy Williams, MAEDEaster Seals North Georgia

Head Start and Early Head Start Georgia Lottery Pre-K Five Inclusion Classrooms (Partnership

w/APS) One (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Lab (APS)

***High Risk Population***

Children and Families

Poverty ◦ At least 12 books available per child in middle-

income families◦ One book for every 300 children in low-income

families◦ By age three children from wealthier families have

heard more than 30 million more words than children low income families

◦ Urban Child Institute

Development of Literacy and Early Reading Habits

Mild to Severe Developmental Delays and other Disabilities◦ Cognition◦ Behavior◦ Communication ◦ Motor◦ Social/Emotional◦ Educational Performance (in age-appropriate

activities)

◦ PBS.org

Children with Disabilities

Classroom Age/Grouping

Number of Students

Number of Staff

Infant 8 2

Toddler 8 2

Twos 8 2

Threes 17 2

Fours-Fivesup to kindergarten eligible

20 2

How Do Easter Seals Child Development Centers Address the Development of Reading Skills for High-Risk Children?

In the five Collaboration Classrooms (17 children)

◦ 1 Lead APS Teacher◦ 1 Lead Easter Seals Teacher◦ 1 APS Paraprofessional◦ 1 Easter Seals Assistant Teacher

More opportunities for INIVIDUALIZED Instruction

How Do Easter Seals Child Development Centers Address the Development of Reading Skills for

High-Risk Children? (Cont’d)

Developmental and Health Screenings Observations Increase early exposure to books Increase conversation Increase vocabulary Increase experiences (Field Trips) Read... Read... Read!!!!!!

More Strategies

Print rich environments Pre-reading skills Parental Involvement

◦ Increase parental expectations◦ Attitudes towards learning◦ Role models as readers◦ Parents as supporters

Even More Strategies

A Story About Brandon!!!!!!!!!!

Success Stories

Brandon

Brandon

BOOKS ARE POWERFUL !!!!!

Remember.................