Start Right
An early intervention program for children in kindergarten who are having difficulty adjusting to the everyday demands of their regular classroom. The program offers twelve weeks of special “play and learn” sessions during school hours for groups of 3-5 children. By providing structured opportunities for healthy social, emotional and behavioural learning, children develop the confidence and skills to deal more effectively with challenges in the classroom, playground and at home.
Read Ava's experience with Start Right
Community and child workers collaborate with school staff in identifying the children who are most in need of the program and the opportunities to develop conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities; to be able to identify and articulate their feelings; and to work and play cooperatively with other children.Children are referred for a variety of reasons, including:
- Peer and social interaction difficulties (difficulty sharing, difficulty taking turns, difficulties with boundaries, etc.);
- Emotional needs (family changes, lack of self-confidence, new to a community, witnessing violence);
- Behaviour related (oppositional, non-compliant, aggressive);
- Self-esteem and anxiety issues (insecure, afraid to take risks, withdrawn, shy, sad);
- Developmental difficulties (cognitive delay, gross and fine motor skills, communication problems, impulsivity, short attention span).
Parents help to set treatment goals and implement the program. Working with the family enhances their ability to meet the needs through better understanding of the child’s needs and strengthened parenting skills.
Referrals from parents, schools, child care centres, child welfare agencies and other community sources are accepted year-round. Child Services are offered at no cost to parents. (Funding is provided by Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, Ministry of Child and Youth Services, and Ministry of Education.) No information about the child is shared without parental consent.
The Start Right team also provides The Incredible Years parent training and an associated children’s program for children aged 0-6.
