MONROE - Parents of 3-year-olds in the Monroe school district are encouraged to take part in Child Development Days, planned for Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 25, at the Abraham Lincoln Accelerated Learning Academy.
The purpose of the annual event is two-fold: It allows children to be observed by professionals, and introduces preschoolers - many of whom will be attending 4-year-old kindergarten starting in the fall - to school in a fun, inviting way. Students eligible for CDD were born between Sept. 1, 2003, and Aug. 31, 2004.
All districts are federally mandated to screen children to identify students with disabilities. "Prior to 2001, the Monroe district used a more traditional screening process that involved the use of standardized testing in a sterile and unfamiliar setting," said Joe Monroe, director of pupil services, adding that type of screening was determined to be too intimidating for young children.
Since 2001, the district uses a play-based assessment to determine if students are developing at an age-appropriate rate.
"Children are asked to play with a variety of toys and equipment in an atmosphere of colorful decorations, music, food and fun. This is a much more kid-friendly environment," Monroe said.
In addition to screening children for potential developmental delays and learning issues, CDD affords the district the opportunity to expose parents to a number of community agencies and businesses that can assist them in preparing their children for school. Agencies and businesses such as Monroe Clinic, the Monroe Public Library, Green County Health Department and a number of daycares and preschools have set up booths at CDD events in the past. The District also provides a number of parenting guides and other resources to assist parents with the development of their children.
Upon arriving at CDD, parents will be asked to register their child. An early childhood specialist for the district will service as a play facilitator, guiding and observing the child for 45 to 60 minutes as they play with different toys and equipment, Monroe said. Speech and language pathologists will be there to assess speech if that is a concern. Vision and hearing also will be screened.
Monroe said the early childhood specialists will be looking for a variety of red flags as they observe the children, such as "concerns regarding subtle speech articulation issues, delays in learning basic concepts, behavioral skill deficits and significant motor skill delays."
If a delay is suspected, parent can choose to have their child undergo a formal evaluation to determine if the district can provide services to help the child's development, Monroe said.
Parents in the district already have been sent a letter and scheduled appointment time for their child. They are asked to return a postcard confirming their appointment time by April 18. If you need to reschedule, or did not receive a letter, call Sherry Boeke, Child Development Days coordinator, at 328-7184.
The event is free.
The purpose of the annual event is two-fold: It allows children to be observed by professionals, and introduces preschoolers - many of whom will be attending 4-year-old kindergarten starting in the fall - to school in a fun, inviting way. Students eligible for CDD were born between Sept. 1, 2003, and Aug. 31, 2004.
All districts are federally mandated to screen children to identify students with disabilities. "Prior to 2001, the Monroe district used a more traditional screening process that involved the use of standardized testing in a sterile and unfamiliar setting," said Joe Monroe, director of pupil services, adding that type of screening was determined to be too intimidating for young children.
Since 2001, the district uses a play-based assessment to determine if students are developing at an age-appropriate rate.
"Children are asked to play with a variety of toys and equipment in an atmosphere of colorful decorations, music, food and fun. This is a much more kid-friendly environment," Monroe said.
In addition to screening children for potential developmental delays and learning issues, CDD affords the district the opportunity to expose parents to a number of community agencies and businesses that can assist them in preparing their children for school. Agencies and businesses such as Monroe Clinic, the Monroe Public Library, Green County Health Department and a number of daycares and preschools have set up booths at CDD events in the past. The District also provides a number of parenting guides and other resources to assist parents with the development of their children.
Upon arriving at CDD, parents will be asked to register their child. An early childhood specialist for the district will service as a play facilitator, guiding and observing the child for 45 to 60 minutes as they play with different toys and equipment, Monroe said. Speech and language pathologists will be there to assess speech if that is a concern. Vision and hearing also will be screened.
Monroe said the early childhood specialists will be looking for a variety of red flags as they observe the children, such as "concerns regarding subtle speech articulation issues, delays in learning basic concepts, behavioral skill deficits and significant motor skill delays."
If a delay is suspected, parent can choose to have their child undergo a formal evaluation to determine if the district can provide services to help the child's development, Monroe said.
Parents in the district already have been sent a letter and scheduled appointment time for their child. They are asked to return a postcard confirming their appointment time by April 18. If you need to reschedule, or did not receive a letter, call Sherry Boeke, Child Development Days coordinator, at 328-7184.
The event is free.