Starting school for the first time can be especially daunting for children with special needs, and Five Counties Children’s Centre is hoping “to help reduce that anxiety.”
The children’s treatment centre, which serves kids and caregivers in the Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton and Hastings counties, is hosting three upcoming sessions that target preparedness for class.
Five Counties is hosting “Ready for School 101” family info fairs at its sites in Peterborough on August 20, in Cobourg on August 21, and in Lindsay on August 22.
The goal of the sessions is to ease the transition to school for kids starting junior kindergarten, senior kindergarten, and Grade 1 — “making it less worrisome for families whose children may face greater challenges due to physical, developmental or communication needs,” Five Counties noted in a media release.
“Any time a child starts school is a big deal for families, but it can be even more nerve-wracking for parents and caregivers whose child has a disability or exceptionality,” said Hayley Hodges, client and family engagement lead at Five Counties, who is organizing the sessions. “We want to help reduce that anxiety for kids and parents by inviting families to attend our ready for school events.”
Each of the ready for school sessions run from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The sessions are free for families, but advance registration is required. Child care will be available.
VIDEO: Ready for School Events in August
Five Counties said attendees will be able to:
- Gain knowledge and experience about going to school for the first time
- Hear from other parents whose kids with disabilities or exceptionalities have successfully made the transition to school
- Ask questions of Five Counties clinicians and other professionals who support students
- Learn how to advocate for their child, while learning about school-based resources to support them
- Get on board a school bus to see what the ride entails
- Receive snack and welcome packages, including tools, toys, and tips
- Access resources, including the “6Fs” of child development “that can help introduce a child with unique needs to their new school setting.”
As defined by McMaster University’s CanChild research centre, the 6Fs are six “F-words” (Function, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends, and Future) that are grounded in the World Health Organization’s international classification of functioning, disability, and health framework. The F-words focus on six key areas of child development. Learn more on the CanChild website.
The ready for school sessions organized by Five Counties are not meant to duplicate other school-preparation events, Hodges noted, but to provide additional support for children with special needs and their families.
“Our focus at Five Counties is to help kids and youth with disabilities and exceptionalities build their abilities for life,” she said. “One of the biggest life-changing events a child goes through is starting school, so it makes sense for Five Counties to be there for families who may need extra help and reassurance at this time. We hope families will see value in this and join us.”
Five Counties is a regional organization serving children with special needs. Centre staff works with kids and youth to support their communication, physical needs, developmental needs, and more. For more information and to register for a free ready for school session, visit fivecounties.on.ca/mt-event/ready-for-school/.
