Preschool

The special education preschool program at Emerald Hill is a full-day, self-contained classroom designed to fit students’ individual educational goals.  The program incorporates many different tools into an inclusive curriculum including individual IEP goals, OWL (Opening the World of Learning), and Handwriting Without Tears, while following the Virginia Foundation Blocks.  Students also receive related services as necessary, including speech pathology, occupational, and physical therapy.  

Our lively, fun, and stimulating environment is ideal for students to gain a structured classroom routine while learning all the essentials of preschool academia. 
Students venture out of the classroom to “resources” five days a week to engage in physical education, library, art, and music.  There, they gain real-life experiences and transitioning between locations.

There are five domains that are addressed in the classroom.  The academic domain focuses on letter and number recognition, shapes, colors, and patterning.  The self-help domain involves skills like toilet training, dressing, feeding, and responsibility tasks such as; hanging up coats and back packs, disposing of trash, and cleaning up toys.  Within the motor domain we work on gross motor skills such as; kicking, catching, and jumping.  We also work on fine motor skills like cutting, gluing, and writing.  The communication domain is supported through sign language usage in the classroom, as well as, visual prompts and schedules.  Finally, social skills are taught such as ‘taking turns’ and group participation.  These skills are enhanced daily with music and dance.

Our staff provides a warm and loving environment for all students.  Our classroom includes both students with disabilities and role model students.  The role models provide a positive example, showing strength in all five domains.  They assist with redirection, positive reinforcement, and eager participation.  They are vital members in the success of the preschool community.