26th Annual Student Research Conference
Early Head Start Language - Enrichment Program
Kelley T. Koenig* and Rachel A. Pattermann
Dr. Janet Gooch, Faculty Mentor
A language-enrichment program was developed to provide preventative services to children aged 18-35 months enrolled in an Early Head Start program. Services were provided during 60 minute sessions twice a week for twelve weeks. Themed lesson plans were developed to increase childrens expressive and receptive language abilities. Staff members were encouraged to observe and participate in activities to learn about techniques to increase age-appropriate language use in the classroom. Caregiver participation was facilitated through provision of at-home activities directly related to weekly lesson plans. Activities assisted in carrying-over skills the children learned at the facility. Caregiver questionnaires assessing the utility of the activities were sent home each week. Periodically, clinicians and staff met and discussed the effectiveness of the program and made adjustments to better facilitate child language learning. This model provides an opportunity for collaboration as well as longitudinal study of the effectiveness of preventative services for this population.
Keywords: Early Head Start, Language, Preventative , Service Learning
Topic(s):Communication Disorders
Service Learning
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 111-3
Location: MG 1096
Time: 8:30