Everett school unites kids for learning, playing

Published 11:23 pm Monday, January 14, 2008

EVERETT — Wanted: typically-developing toddlers.

Job description: Play … and play some more.

Requirements: Some art projects, sitting in a circle, but mainly play.

Benefits: Snack time to develop social skills.

The Little Red School House in south Everett has long served youngsters with special needs and is looking for other children for students to play with in a parent cooperative preschool. The program with Everett Community College is aimed at bringing together students with and without special needs from ages 18 months to 3 years.

Parents attend and participate with their children and can receive credits from EvCC. The class, which is two hours every Wednesday morning, is staffed by an experienced children’s teacher and parent educator fluent in Spanish.

The play-centered class is for children of all skill and developmental levels, said Barbara Yasui, EvCC’s child and family education faculty coordinator.

“The kids can all learn from each other,” said Ruth Williams, a preschool teacher at Little Red School House. “I see it as the best model for kids with special needs to have (other) kids involved. It’s nice to have a broad range of developmental skills.”

Ailene Hert watched her son Jorden, 2, bound around the Little Red School House playroom last week with no sign of slowing down.

“He loves it here,” she said.

For his part, Jorden offered, “School is fun.”

Jorden was referred to the Little Red School House because of a delay in his speech development. Hert hopes that being around other kids — and the need to communicate with them — will hone her son’s speech skills.

“He is doing so much better,” she said. “I can actually have a conversation with him now. It used to be nobody could understand him except for me.”

Angela Fern’s son, Kaleb, 2, also has a delay in his speech, and is also making progress. Fern likes the preschool format where parents stay at the school and can talk with other parents and professionals in early childhood education.

“It definitely helps getting information,” she said. “Other people can see trends in your child that you can’t.”

Mary Jean Mitchell, a program manager at the Little Red School House, said typically developing students also benefit from the play time.

“I think it helps them in terms of tolerance,” she said. “Children without delays benefit as much if not more.”

The class is offered from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at The Children’s Village, 14 E. Casino Road, Everett. The cost is $35 per month. For more information, call 425-513-1663.

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or e-mail stevick@heraldnet.com.