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Inclusion Preschool Program

Language-instructive, inclusive preschool classrooms for children with and without hearing loss

Clarke’s Inclusion Preschool Programs offer specialized Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) education to children of all hearing abilities, ages three through five.

Inclusion Preschool Program

What is Inclusion Preschool?

Students in Clarke’s Inclusion Preschool classrooms follow the same philosophy and curriculum as our Preschool Programs, but with a unique twist. Inclusion Preschool is designed to be a “reverse mainstream” program, providing an exemplary model for inclusion of children with typical hearing within an early childhood program for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

Learning as a Family

During the preschool years, the family continues to be the most influential presence in a child’s life. While Clarke’s preschool students are learning to observe actively and interact with new concepts and people, their families and other caregivers are learning too. Parents, grandparents and other adults in the child’s life find a support network of families and professionals at Clarke where they can share and learn.

Families are actively involved in learning through frequent communication, classroom observations, participation in school activities, family workshops and Clarke’s Support Groups. Guidance and support is also provided to families as children transition into mainstream schools.

By honoring the needs of students with different hearing abilities, Clarke’s Inclusion Preschool Program connects our sites to the community. Students and families are part of a community–not just a classroom.

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Curriculum and Classroom

Classes are led by experienced professionals

Classes are led by experienced professionals trained in early childhood education, speech-language pathology, education of the deaf and the Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) approach. All Clarke educators hold advanced degrees in specialty areas, and children who are deaf or hard of hearing receive daily auditory speech and language therapy provided by speech-language pathologists and teachers of the deaf.

Classroom activities are designed to enhance children’s development

Classroom activities are designed to enhance children’s listening, speech, language and pre-literacy skills while supporting their social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative development. Children engage in intellectual problem solving, discovery, exploration, reasoning and experiential activities in a joyful, nurturing environment. Classrooms are designed for the unique acoustical needs of children with hearing loss, and curriculum is aligned with state and national standards.

Locations

Inclusion Preschool Programs are offered at

Clarke New York
Clarke Northampton
Clarke Philadelphia

Outcomes

Families form partnerships with Clarke’s experienced staff to create a supportive team dedicated to the success and development of each child.

Success in mainstream schools
Success in mainstream schools
In our Inclusion Preschool Programs, children are readied for success in mainstream schools as early as possible.
IEP Goal Achievement
IEP Goal Achievement
Students meet goals set forth in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which are federally-mandated plans guiding the development and education of children who are disabled.
Develop Competence
Develop Competence
Enable preschool students with hearing loss to develop competence in listening, speaking and social interaction with hearing peers and to successfully integrate into mainstream education.

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Our professionals are here to help.

Please contact any of our locations to learn more about Clarke’s broad array of programs and services.