Parent Resources
What is the Play and Learn (PAL) Program?
The "Play and Learn" program is a special education preschool for mild to moderately impaired children ages 2 1/2 - 5. There is an Early Intervention Component for children ages birth to three. Children qualify the program based on evaluations and are eligible under:
Cognitive Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Emotional Impairment, Visual Impairment, Speech and Language Impairment, Early Childhood Developmental Delay, Physical Impairment or Other Impairment
A child is eligible for the PAL Program after a referral has been made and the child is evaluated by the PAL team. This team consists of Special Education Teachers, a School Psychologist, a School Social Worker, and a teacher of Speech/Language Impaired. If a child is suspected of a significant delay, an Individualized Educational Planning Committee meeting is held with the parents. At this time, all assessment information is shared and available services are discussed before a placement is made.
The children attend the program for half-day sessions, four days per week, either in the morning or afternoon. The philosophy of the staff is that each child is a unique individual and that learning takes place at each child's own developmental level and pace. The curriculum is language based and focuses on learning domains to meet the developing needs of the whole child.
Children have the opportunity to freely explore and play while interacting with other children and the teacher, both individually and in small groups. Also the children participate in activity time, "circle" time, gym, music and snack time. During all of these times, language is being experienced, cognition (thinking/reasoning) is being developed, fine and gross motor skills are being practiced and social/personal/emotional skills are being learned.