VSDB SharePointPreschool
At VSDB-S, we recognize that deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their families have special language and learning needs. We also know that young deaf and hard-of-hearing children are capable, curious, active, and hungry for knowledge about their world! As a result, we strive to provide a developmentally-appropriate, language- and literacy-rich learning environment that nurtures children as they grow in their important early years. In the preschool at VSDB, you will find:
- A safe, child-centered learning environment filled with novel objects and experiences that serve to evoke curiosity, problem-solving, and thorough concept development
- A child-centered, emergent curriculum (one that is developed alongside the children as their interests are revealed through their play, their questions, and their daily experiences)
- Play-based, hands-on learning experiences with deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing peers that promote cognitive development, social skills, and language learning
- Instruction designed with the individual child in mind—that which has the goals of making learning fun, enhancing each child’s strengths in every area, and promoting success
- An all day, everyday emphasis on language development, both signed and spoken, using research-based best practices
- Developmentally-appropriate literacy experiences that foster a love of books
- Family support services, including: daily communication logs, home visits, teacher-made sign language videotapes that are based on the signs families want and need to know, and weekly newsletters about what is happening in school
- Community Experience Trips that provide children the opportunity to do everyday things in the context of rich language learning
- Weekly and quarterly progress reports that cover the scope of children’s development in the preschool program and in general
Frequently Asked Questions
How are speech and listening goals met in a signing environment?
We recognize the important role that speech and listening skill development has in the overall development of the deaf/hard-of-hearing child. For this reason, we emphasize listening and spoken language skills throughout ALL that we do. Listening and speech, just like all learning, develop best in the child’s natural environment. We combine speech and listening activities in the context of everyday routines while also providing pull-out services for those children for whom this service strategy is appropriate.
Sign language is the language of instruction, concept development, and peer and family interaction for the children at VSDB. Giving a deaf/hard-of-hearing child access to the world through sign language is both natural and effective, and we firmly believe that sign language has a very important role in the overall development of a child with hearing loss AND his/her family.
What if my child has special needs in addition to a hearing loss?
Do not let that stop you from considering VSDB as a placement option for your child! Our teacher is prepared to foster growth and learning in children with motor delays, vision needs, language processing problems, cognitive delays, and other disability categories. At VSDB, we provide Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in addition to our related services in the area of speech-language therapy and audiology. Our small class size enables us to meet the needs of each child who comes through our doors in order to promote healthy, holistic development.
If my child starts school at VSDB, will he/she have to stay there throughout his/her entire educational experience?
No. Annually, your child’s placement will come under discussion as your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed. The parents play a vital role alongside professionals in making up the IEP team. It is then the team’s decision to look at your child’s progress and determine whether or not your child will continue at VSDB. Many families choose to have their child in preschool at VSDB, and then decide that their child is ready to go to a school that is closer to home. Sometimes the child stays on. This is completely up to the IEP team to decide annually!
How many days a week is the program? What about program hours?
The program runs five days each week from 8:15 until 3:00 each day. Your child may come to school during all of this time, or you may select days and/or hours that your child will attend the program. That is your choice after talking with the teacher about our daily schedule.
Are there hearing children in the program or only deaf/hard-of-hearing children?
Children learn best from one another, so we believe in providing deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing children with opportunities to interact with each other in order to make discoveries about communication, language, and the world in general! We have found that the deaf/hard-of-hearing children have much fun as they learn alongside their hearing peers, while hearing children in the program learn much sign language. The children become spoken and signed language models for each other, which makes for an exceptionally rich learning environment for all!
What if my child has preschool aged siblings…can they come too?
YES! We encourage sibling attendance when possible, actually! Learning is a family effort. Young children are sponges for language and knowledge, and hearing siblings provide a great avenue for sign language and speech skills to be taken back into the home. The deaf/hard-of-hearing child will become a better communicator with his/her sibling, and the hearing child will pick up many important skills, as well. Research shows that children who engage in listening and phonics (sound-based) games and activities have an advantage in developing strong literacy skills. Also, children who learn more than one language have daily opportunities to “stretch” their brain’s abilities to process and apply language in general. Finally, strategies used to teach literacy skills to deaf children are ALWAYS extremely appropriate and important for hearing children, too. How exciting to offer young children the best of “both worlds” in the vital early years!
How will I get my child to and from VSDB?
Transportation is written into the child’s IEP. Cars outfitted with carseats are often used to transport children to preschool, as are buses equipped with child seats. Transportation will depend upon your desires as the parent, as well as resources in the school system and the number of children who will need transportation from your area.
What other benefits does an environment like VSDB offer?
Because VSDB is a school specifically designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing children, we have a variety of experts in the field of Deaf Education on-site in order to meet the children’s needs. On-site audiological expertise is available, as is on-site speech-language therapy by individuals who have taught speech to deaf and hard-of-hearing children for many years. Our therapists are also equipped to work with children who have cochlear implants in order to meet their unique needs! Our teachers are all specially equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the special needs of our children. Deaf adults and other deaf and hard-of-hearing children who are in the daily routines and environment of our deaf and hard-of-hearing preschoolers provide role models that help to develop in them a healthy self-esteem and emotional well-being. Finally, children walk the halls of VSDB and are able to communicate with EVERYONE they see…which is important in developing language skills as well as fostering a feeling of acceptance, success, and capability. Teaching children with hearing loss is what we do here at VSDB. In fact, it’s what we do best!