3/26/25
Today, our guest speaker was Dr. Mary Davis, Principal at the Jefferson Early Childhood Center, 130 N Hazelton Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187 (https://www.cusd200.org/o/jefferson)
Why early childhood education? During their early years, children go through critical stages of development, and consistent, high-quality early childhood (pre K) education can have long-lasting, beneficial effects on their overall development. In District 200 there is a significant need being met at Jefferson: enrollment is in excess of 300 students.
- Social & Emotional Development: Having your child attend the same preschool program throughout his or her early years allows him or her to develop relationships with the adults and children in that environment, which provides a sense of security.
- Cognitive Development: Consistency in the preschool program can significantly impact a child's cognitive development. High-quality early childhood development programs that provide developmentally appropriate curricula, enable children to develop specific cognitive skills at the appropriate age.
- Language Development: Language development occurs at a rapid pace in children between the ages of one and five years old. Children who are secure in their environment and with the people around them are more likely to engage in frequent, age-appropriate conversations. Currently, there are in excess of 30 languages used by children attending the school.
Services provided include:
- Developmental screening
- School-Based Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy is concerned with a child’s ability to participate in daily life activities. Occupational therapists are part of the preschool team. Occupational therapists support the achievement of developmental and learning outcomes for children with and without disabilities. In the school setting, children participate in the occupations of play and school related tasks (e.g. writing, coloring, cutting, and physical movement). A child may have difficulties and/or disabilities that interfere with the child being successful in school.
- School Based Physical Therapy: Physical therapists are members of a multidisciplinary school team that ensures a free and appropriate education for students with disabilities to prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living.
- School psychologist: School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community for all students.
- Social Workers: The School Social Worker is a member of the diagnostic team involved in initial evaluations for special education. The School Social Worker meets with the parents gathering vital information about their child’s social and emotional development. As part of that process the School Social Worker helps parents to understand the various special education services that we offer in early childhood. The School Social Worker also participates in the educational planning for the student.
- Special Education Services: Jefferson Early Childhood Center in District 200 provides services to meet the needs of children who are 3 & 4 years old who experience educational challenges and are found eligible for special education services. Students are found eligible for special education services following an evaluation if they exhibit deficits that impede their learning. All children who reside in District 200 (including private school students) are entitled to evaluation and special education services if found eligible.