Preschool transition program helps children with next step
Briah Brickles enjoys some play time in the gym while taking part in the preschool transition program held at Hopewell School this summer. The program helped children involved in Hopewell Early Intervention prepare for the next step in their young lives. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – The transition to preschool program held at Hopewell School this summer made a big impact on Melissa Vore’s son.
“I wanted him to do this so he could have more experience interacting with kids his age,” she said. “When they first started he would normally cry and want to come home with me, but now he just walks right in. He’s starting to be able to cut the tie with me, which is something I was afraid he wouldn’t be able to do with him starting preschool.”
Melissa’s son Brayden Vore, who just turned 3, was one of six children who participated in the preschool transition program offered by Hopewell Early Intervention.
“He stared with them last fall for speech therapy, but will be going to Ridgewood for preschool,” Melissa said.
Tonya Fish, occupational therapist at Hopewell School, said all the children were seen by the early intervention program, which is from birth to age 3 and that they were from different school districts. Staff members met with the students for several hours, one day a week for eight weeks during the summer and helped them get use to a classroom setting, worked on transitioning to different parts of the school building and of course gave them time to play in the gym and outside.
“They’ve been learning to play with each other and follow directions and routines with less prompting,” Fish said.
In addition to Fish, Tami Brenneman, early intervention specialist, Deb Croft, physical therapist, Renee Stein, speech therapist and Lois Frame, a translator for the deaf worked with the students.
“By the middle of the program they are usually having an easier time letting go of their parents,” Fish said. “Some of them have never left their parents’ side so being able to do that is a pretty big deal for them.”
Anyone interested in learning more the Hopewell Early Intervention program is welcome to call Hopewell School at 740-622-2032 and ask for Tami Brenneman.
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