Peer Model Program

Our Purpose

At IDC, we provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration therapy, aquatic therapy, speech and language therapy, feeding therapy, infant and toddler parent involved classes, and preschool classes for children with disabilities and children who are typically developing. Children who receive services/therapies here have a variety of special needs. Some children have specific diagnoses. Others do not have a diagnosis, but are receiving services due to parent/physician concerns. Our goals are for the children to develop the skills necessary to better help them progress in their next environment (Mother’s Day Out, community preschool, kindergarten, etc.). Additionally, we believe it is our role to help parents learn how to teach their children and become advocates for them in the future.

What to Expect

In the preschool classroom, your child will be exposed to a variety of experiences. The set up of the preschool class will be very similar to that of a community preschool. Typical components of preschool occur daily (circle time, centers/play time, playground time, snack, music, etc.). There will be additional equipment, accommodations and strategies used that help many children to learn. For example, some children benefit from visual schedules and pictures so you may see more of this in the classroom than you might in other places. Some children benefit from having directions paired with sign language, so you may see your teacher signing as words are spoken. For some children, engaging in social interactions with other children is difficult. You may see a teacher or therapist “facilitating” these interactions. All of these strategies will only help to develop skills for all of the children; none of them will hinder your child’s learning.  Parents must participate as a special day parent approximately 1-2 times per month, which involves volunteering in the child's class and bringing an appropriate snack for the entire class.

Our preschool program is not highly academic. Granted your child will learn pre-academic skills during the course of the year; he or she will have more experiences to grow socially. If you have any specific concerns about your child’s learning or skills, please talk to your child’s teacher. Often we can offer ideas/suggestions to help your child to be better prepared for his/her next environment.

Qualities We Look for in Peer Models

The following is a list of qualities we look for in each child when determining whether he/she will be a peer model at IDC:

• Enjoys being around other children in the school setting
• Has an easygoing manner
• Is willing to try new activities
• Actively engages in pretend play
• Has age appropriate play skills (manipulative toys, sensory exploration)
• Works well with other children
• Follows directions both individually and when given in a group
• Can sit and attend to large group activities for an appropriate amount of time
• Has speech that is clear and easily understandable by people who do not know the child
• Will respond verbally when spoken to by adults or other children
• Can answer age appropriate questions (what, who, where, why)
• Demonstrates age appropriate gross and fine motor skills
• Is 3 (or will be during the fall semester) or 4 years old

Enrollment

In addition to the qualities listed above, we make our peer model determination based upon the ages of the children in the class and the need for a balance of both girl and boy peer models.  We ask that peer models come visit the program in the spring to determine if it will be a good fit for both the child and parents.  Peer models attend the preschool program from mid August to the end of May. Typically classes are offered Monday and Wednesday morning, Monday and Wednesday afternoon, Tuesday and Thursday morning, and Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.  The cost for the Peer Model Program is $75 per month. If you are interested in your child becoming an IDC Peer Model next fall, we begin our peer model process in January of each school year and welcome you to contact us at that time.  If you have further questions or would like to schedule a visit, please contact Shanan Lee at 913-676-2253 (preferably on Mondays or Wednesdays) or through email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .