|
Early
Childhood Development
Head Start is intended to meet the individual
needs of each child. Every child receives a variety of learning experiences that
enhance his/her cognitive, social, emotional & physical growth.
Classroom
and home-based visit materials, activities and practices fulfill this design by:
- Using a curriculum that offers
various experiences and is grounded in best early childhood practices and cultural
variety.
- Using a variety of teaching techniques
that allow for flexibility in the program day and maximize children's teachable moments.
- Including both indoor and outdoor play.
- Including planned activities for all developmental
areas and curriculum domains.
- Encouraging children to express their
feelings and negotiate conflict.
- Including parents in curriculum
planning.
- Including staffing to provide low
child to staff ratios.
- Implementing a curriculum and transition
activities that ensure maximum developmental continuity for the children.
Enhancing the classroom experience are home visits
from teaching staff to every child's family, a unique feature of Head Start. Head
Start addresses the child within the context of the family and partners with the
parent, the child's first teacher, in providing the child's education.
Professional
development is part of every Head Start program, with staff members receiving
training and course work in child development, as well as other areas related to
ensuring children receive the best early childhood education possible.
Children
are screened at the beginning and end of the program year in all developmental areas. Ongoing assessment is completed for each child, and activities planned that
will meet his/her individual goals. Results of these screenings and assessment are
shared with and explained to parents on home visits and in parent conferences.
Parents
are encouraged to observe and volunteer in classrooms and on field trips. Training
is provided for parents on child development issues and other topics of interest.
Activities they can do with their children at home are provided and encouraged.
|
|
Health
Head Start recognizes that every child must be healthy
& well nourished to learn and grow to his or her full potential. Preventive health
services are central to Head Start's comprehensive array of services.
Early
in their enrollment, families work with Head Start staff to ensure they have an ongoing
accessible source of health care - a "medical home." Community partners
help in this process. Head Start assists the family in making use of all available
health resources & insurance.
A
health assessment and early identification of health-related needs ensure each child
receives medical, dental, mental health, and nutritional care, including:
- Immunizations
- Timely screenings for basic health, speech/language,
hearing & vision
- Dental exams
Every day in Head Start, children brush their teeth
and receive nutritious meals and snacks.
Referrals
and follow up care are provided, when indicated. Head Start also offers a health
education program for children and parents. It includes, among many issues, education
on healthy & safe practices & habits, and nutritional issues such as how
to select & prepare healthy meals and budget for health.
The Head Start health program also focuses on staff,
providing training and addressing issues of health, wellness, safety, & mental
health.
In
Illinois, 86% (30,912) of Head Start children had health insurance during the 2000-01
program year. 80% of these children were enrolled in Medicaid/EPSDT, 15% had private
health insurance, 3% were enrolled in KidCare, and 2% had some other form of health
insurance.
Head Start has helped our
family in many ways. Our oldest was about 3 months delayed & needed help when
we came into the program. Head Start let me come in & not only help in the center
but showed me ways to work with him & help him develop his skills & knowledge.
They showed me how to expand his interest & use that to teach him more. They
gave him confidence in himself also. The worked with, & sometimes beside, the
school district in getting him the service & help he needed. I think Head Start
has helped my confidence also. I've Ö worked on my public speaking through Policy
Council & the Parent Store. I enjoy the Parent meetings & being able to share
things with people who have been there.
Two Rivers Head Start
Parent
Other health statistics for Illinois Head Start
children during the 2000-01 program year include:
| Percentage of Children Medically Screened |
94% |
| Of these, Needing Medical Treatment |
20% |
| Of these, Receiving Medical Treatment |
88%* |
| Percentage of Children Completing a Dental
Exam |
96% |
| Of these, Needing Dental Treatment |
24% |
| Of these, Receiving Dental Treatment |
65% |
| Percentage of Children Receiving Preventive
Treatment |
75% |
Children Up-To-Date with Immunizations
(or having had all possible) |
100% |
| * = Of the children receiving some type of
treatment, 25% received for asthma, 21% for high lead levels, 20% for overweight,
and 19% for anemia. There were various other smaller percentages of children receiving
for vision/hearing difficulties, underweight, and low birth weight. |
|
Disabilities
Research tells us that the presence of children
with disabilities in early childhood classrooms has a positive impact on the developmental
progress of all children. Recognizing that, Head Start has been providing inclusive
services for children with disabilities for more than 25 years. At least 10%
of Head Start enrollment opportunities are made available to children with disabilities.
 Children with disabilities are specifically recruited for
Head Start enrollment. Some children are identified after enrollment, through the
screening & assessment process.
Referrals are made,
and Head Start programs work with both their local education agencies (LEA's) and
their early intervention agencies to provide the best possible services, least
restrictive and most natural environments for all children. |
