Mackworth Island Preschool
The Mackworth Island Preschool program offers a language-enriched developmentally-based program of learning for deaf, hard of hearing and typically developing hearing children ages 3 to 5. With our Deaf/hearing teaching team, the program is rich in experiences, which foster and nurture the child’s language development.
The Preschool is a bilingual environment. With a focus on learning language, we provide instruction and interaction in two languages (American Sign Language and English) and two approaches to communication (American Sign Language and Spoken English).
A language plan is crafted with the child’s family focused on the child’s individual language and communication goals. This plan is the force that guides the child through various experiences in one or both languages.
Preschool Handbook Kindergarten Readiness
Interested in attending Mackworth Island Preschool? Please contact Catherine Lushman, Preschool Coordinator, at catherine.lushman@mecdhh.org.
Bilingual Bimodal learners
These children are learning two languages through play and interactive experiences in two joined classrooms. In the American Sign Language (ASL) classroom, ASL is the language of daily interactions and communication. In the spoken language classroom, spoken language is used. Families choose their child’s primary classroom and the children have the opportunity to interact in both rooms and languages as their day progresses. Children are encouraged to develop skills in visual, gestural, auditory, listening and spoken language skills as appropriate, always following the child’s IEP goals.
American Sign Language learners
These children are learning American Sign Language through play and interactive experiences. Children are immersed in American Sign Language with Deaf and hearing ASL fluent staff. Children are encouraged to develop skills in visual and gestural language as appropriate and the team follows the child’s IEP goals.
Spoken Language learners
These children are learning Spoken English through play and interactive experiences. Children are immersed in a Spoken English environment with natural exposure to listening and spoken language experiences. Children are encouraged to develop skills in listening and spoken language and the team follows the child’s IEP goals.
Our program provides services and support for learners with additional needs as well. The classroom environments have been adapted to minimize background noise and reverberation. In this setting, children with a range of language and communication styles are guided to play, interact and appreciate the unique traits that each brings to our community of learners.
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