It's 7 a.m. and the staff at Easter Seals National Archives (NARA) Child Development Center, College Park, MD., are shoring up their classrooms for the barrage of little hands and feet soon to arrive. By 9 a.m. the day is underway with new things to learn.
After a nutritious morning snack, the children are ready to explore different learning activities. Circle time and group discussions are one way for the children to learn about the weather and what day of the week it is. The kids also have the opportunity to venture onto the playground and enjoy the outdoors (weather permitting), challenging their abilities on the various types of equipment and exercising their large muscle skills.
Since a hearty romp on the playground can build a robust appetite, lunch is the next item on the agenda. This is a time for the children to socialize with peers and teachers in a family-style format while dining on meals provided by their parents. Children with disabilities who require more intricate mealtime assistance remain in the same setting as the rest of the class, so they do not miss out on the lunchtime banter while receiving the help they need.
Once the children have filled up on lunchtime treats, they are ready for an afternoon nap. After a good rest, another nutritious snack is provided and structured free playtime begins. During this time the kids can return to the playground for some fresh air or engage in activities including table games, listening activities, and more. As 4 p.m. approaches, the kids close out the day by coming together in a circle and discussing the day’s activities.
Easter Seals NARA Child Development Center is an inclusive facility that provides childcare services for children of all abilities ages 0 to 6 years. Therapy sessions at the center are provided for children with disabilities within the context of a full-day early education program. Therapists, in conjunction with classroom staff and parents, develop individualized lesson plans and therapeutic intervention activities to meet the special needs of each child.
Children with disabilities are referred to the center by their school district if it is determined they can benefit from an inclusive program.
Easter Seals’ Inclusive Child Development Centers provide high quality inclusive programs to include early intervention and education, full-day childcare and parental support. Our goal is to maximize the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of each child and ensure a successful transition into school. Easter Seals services children with and without disabilities six weeks to five years of age. As a result of their daily interaction, typically developing children develop more positive perception of children with special needs, are comfortable with and understand special needs. Children with special needs benefit from role modeling of their peers who are typically developing and an opportunity to meet all developmental needs in one program. Easter Seals Child Development Centers provide these services to children from a range of financial backgrounds, and we work especially hard to serve children from low to moderate income families. For those unable to afford the difference between actual cost of services of payment from insurance, Easter Seals secures grants from private foundations and government agencies as well as generous support of individuals.
