Helping Hands Preschool in Great Bend has openings for children in the Peer Mentor program for the 2017 school year.
The Barton County Cooperative of Special Services and Great Bend USD 428 provide an integrated early childhood special education program for preschool children who have demonstrated delays in their development. The delivery model is a school-based program integrated with peer mentors.
Peer relationships are important for the overall development of every child, sponsors note. Peer mentor students provide positive peer interactions, demonstrate appropriate play skills, and model appropriate language and behavior for children with special needs. Through teacher training and instruction, peer mentors learn how to facilitate positive interactions with their peers and may be asked to model specific skills for other children with disabilities.
To be considered for a peer mentor opening, a child must be:
• 3-5 years old (turns 3 years old prior to the screening date), and not age eligible for kindergarten (children turning 5 on or before Aug. 31 will be eligible for kindergarten)
• demonstrating age-appropriate skills in all areas of development – especially language and social emotional development
They must also attend one of the two upcoming screening dates, April 7 or May 5, accompanied by a parent or guardian.
For more information, call 620-793-1615 or email michelle.cape@usd428.net.