Clarke’s customized preschool and early childhood classes prepare children who are deaf or hard of hearing, ages three to eight, for success in mainstream schools.
During the preschool and early childhood years, the family continues to be the most influential presence in a child’s life. While Clarke’s preschool and early childhood students are learning to observe actively and interact with new concepts and people, their parents and other family members 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 learn strategies to support language development through play, speech and listening activities, and share experiences and questions with other families in a supportive environment.
Classes are led by experienced professionals
Clarke's experts are 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 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 listening, speech, language and pre-literacy skills
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.
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
Students meet goals
Austin
Meet Austin, a successful mentor and aspiring engineer starting his undergraduate journey at UMass Amherst in the College of Engineering...
Read More »
Shaw
Meet Shaw, a recent high school graduate with hearing loss who will be playing Division III field hockey this fall!
Read More »
Chloë
Meet Chloë, a motivated eight-year-old with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss who was diagnosed with Usher Syndrome Type 1a.
Read More »