Classroom staff
Credentialed Early childhood special education teachers lead our classrooms with support from special education assistants. The educational team works with Designated Instruction Specialists (DIS) to ensure that interventions for each student are implemented.
DIS providers may include a speech and language pathologist, occupational therapist, adaptive physical education specialist, behavior intervention specialist, and/or a physical therapist.
A Day in LEAP
Predictable routines promote student participation
Breakfast
Students improve eating and self-help skills, practice communication, taste different foods, and work on table manners.
Greeting Time
Students greet each other, sing songs, recite nursery rhymes, and are engaged in group activities. Name recognition and counting skills are practiced.
Work Time
Students work throughout the classroom using toys, blocks, sand, and water. They are introduced to art, music, writing and have access to the library. This is a time for children to practice sharing and taking turns, among other social skills.
Small Group Time
Children work on an activity to practice goals that are written in their IEP’s. A variety of activities are presented to promote language, math and fine motor skills.
Socialization / Self-Help
Children learn to interact with other classmates and adults. They may play in the classroom and/or take part in music, art, games, and cooking activities. Potty training is addressed and is part of the school day.
Large Group Time
Children come together with the adults for playing games, singing songs, doing finger plays, learning dances, playing musical instruments, exercises or retelling parts of a story. We use flannel stories, books and puppets to encourage language. Children learn to participate in fun activities as members of a group.
Story Time
Children engage in reading readiness, listening, speaking and writing activities that focus on book concepts and awareness of sounds that different letters make.
Outside Time
Playgrounds provide children with opportunities for movement, exploration, improved locomotion, balance and creative play. Water and sand play allow additional opportunities to explore the environment.
Computers
Children use computers and developmentally appropriate early childhood software.
Language
LEAP is a language based program. Students are encouraged to use language to express wants, needs, and social preferences.
