Reducing Preschool Expulsions
Child Care Solutions assists children in child care struggling with behavioral or social-emotional issues.
Did you know that preschoolers are expelled from school at three times the rate of older children?
Getting kicked out of preschool can hinder children’s social-emotional development, disrupt continuity of care for children and parents, and delay children getting the services they need.
One way to reduce expulsions, as profiled in a recent New York Times article, is to connect child care providers to mental health consultation services and expertise in child development. Fortunately for children and child care providers in Contra Costa County, these services exist – they’re free and they’re working.
What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
JoAnn knew her son Alexander’s behavior was different even when he was a baby. But once he entered preschool, his problems really surfaced. Zander exhibited overly aggressive behavior. He regularly tackled and punched the other children, called them names, and put everything in his mouth, much like a teething baby would.
JoAnn went to her pediatrician, who said there was no clear diagnosis for Zander. He wasn’t autistic. He didn’t have ADHD. According to JoAnn, “He was not clearly anything, but he was clearly having problems.” Continue reading
Reading Tips for Children with Special Needs
We know that when parents read aloud with their children regularly, children’s vocabulary increases and they are more prepared for kindergarten. But for children with special needs or disabilities, reading together is not always so simple. The type of story, its illustrations, how the pages feel, or the way the story is told make a big difference.
To ensure children with special needs enjoy books and the positive experience reading with an adult brings, Ange Burnett, the Coordinator of the Contra Costa Child Care Council Inclusion Project, offers these tips:
1. Not all books are appropriate for all children. When you choose books to adapt, consider every part of that book, from color to content. Pay attention to the story theme and the illustrations. Look at the print size, book size, and even the texture of the cover or pages. Continue reading