My son has a learning disability. He is 3 years old and does not speak very well. We have had him tested and he was diagnosed with it. We found out that he quailfies for early head start because of his disablity. My question is, should we put him in? Generally the program is for low income, but they reserve 10 percent for children above the income limit for children with disabilities. Their are three reasons I do not want to put him in, first off I work 8-5 and my husband will be working 6:30-5:30. The program goes from 8AM-2PM. We just recently put both our kids (we have a 10 month old) in daycare. Originally they told me we could drop our 3 year old off at 7:45 but I still don't think I would have enough time to make it to work, after dropping my other son off at daycare. Then picking him up will be an issue as well. But it is possible, it will just be hard.
Second, his preschool teacher said that they can not discipline the children, so if he starts hitting that would be the reason why
Third, because it is for low income, I kinda feel out of place, but I am sure I will get over it.
My husband really wants him to stay in the program, becuase he wants him to be around kids his own age. Also, they told us if he started in early head start he would most likely get into the head start program.
I was wondering if anyone else is in Early head Start and if they feel it really benefits the child? Do you think it is worth the time?
If you were me, would you put your kid in?
Ok, first off, I want to let you know that I don't care if my kid is around low income children. Rather I feel like because we are not low income we are taking a spot from someone else that really could use it. When we have meetings with the teachers they just automatically assume that we need help with everything, food, clothes, housing etc. Then when we tell them we are over the income but only in because of Dylan's disabiltiy they say oh, like we shouldn't be there. We are not stuck up people. Me and my husband both work so we can provide for our kids. We were both students for awhile making only 5000 a year, so I know what it is like. Second, The daycare that we put our kids in, does a preschool, so he is being taught there. Probably not one one one like the head start so that is why I wanted to know what other people thought of the program.
We have decided that we will try the program out. It sounds like it is wonderful and very helpful.
Thanks for all your responses.
We participated in it and everyone loved it. My child really benefited from it too. But it's a personal decision for you. It worked very well for us and was extremely helpful for my son's speech disability!
Early Head Start is children birth to 3, Head start is 3-5. A terrific program, meals served, field trips, QUALIFIED teachers and staff. I was a head start teacher for many years, loved it loved it! BIG DEAL about the low income kids, they want to be exposed to the same things as rich kids. They play withthe same things, have same interests! The curriculumis awesome, (federally mandiated), low turnover in staff, very detail oriented! If he qualifies for speech help, he can also get speech help in a public school pre-school setting for free. He has an IEP, under americans with Disabalities act, he is to recieve services. My daughter goes to a public pre-school, paid for by gov't due to her speech and OT needs. Call your special eduaction dept. of the school district you are in, they can guide you if you want to do the public route. They (head start kids) get a lot more attention and "THINGS" than a pre-school kid. Do class visits. I recently became a single parent and could qualify for HS, would do it if logisitics worked out. Many families can just be "doen on their luck" (today's economy). I had a family in my class whoose mom had a master's degree, and Dad was in Med school, both brilliant people, just neede help at that time in their life. Good luck with your deccesion.
C.
ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, WITHOUT A DOUBT! Convinced? :)
The earlier a challenge/disability is addressed the more successful the outcome will be!
I only wish I had been referred to HS for my now 10 year old who continues to struggle. Once the child gets in the "mainstream" in Kindergarten, it take so much effort and a ton of meetings, time, appointments and convincing to get the help needed. School years fly by with meetings and red tape and before you know it, it's 3rd grade and they have a hard time with Reading or Math.
You can always take your child out as he improves.
Remember, you and your husband are the only ones who can help your child by being his advocate. No one else will do this.
Good Luck and NEVER give up!
Put him in. Yes, it does benefit the child, a lot. I have a friend who has a son who was not speaking properly, he went to school three days a week, and still is, he started at 3.....it has done wonders for him. And he has really grown.
This could also help down the road, if he learns now how to work around his disability, it will help him when he is older and he won't feel so out of place.
I'm sure if your son was hitting, the would separate him and take him away from the situation, this is a form of discipline, so I'm sure he would be fine.
Try getting your other son to daycare earlier and then being right on time for the head start class. I'm sure you can work something out. Remember, this is for your son, not for you......
Take care and hang in there.
YES. I would my daughters were put in head start at the age of 3 and they were ready for kindergarden and advanced. It was a very good thing as well for there self esteem and they felt like they had alittle independance. I would see if they offer bussing? If so have them drop him off at the day care that the baby is going too. We had bussing and it worked out GREAT!
I also would tell the teachers about any changes he maybe having at home so that they would be able to watch for any changes there. And maybe help guide him to make different choices. Sometime it helps you out and them in his behavior and wanting to learn. My nephew has Asbugers and ADHD. He sometimes alot of troulbe making the right choices. My sis and his teachers stay on top of these things together. So always see how he does eveyday and stay in contact with the teachers.
I hope this helps have a great day!
Do it, we were very hesitant to start our daughter in it two years ago and ended up doing it and have no regrets at all. unless you can afford to put him in a good preschool that gets a lot of one-on-one time he needs the head start environment
Of Course! Any learning is good learning.
Also, most employers are willing to bend the rules with employees if a situation arises like yours. See if you can change your start time to 8:15. Never hurts to ask. As far as picking him up, maybe you could pick him up early (lunch) and take him to daycare. Just a thought. OR maybe there is another parent there that can help you out. There could be a support group with the program.
I think that in your case, although it will be hard you need to keep your child's best interest at heart not your convenience. Unfortunately with a disability he is starting behind the eight ball and any extra help you can give him can only help. I would put him in. If you are feeling out of place with the low income part of the equation then maybe you want to look around for other programs you can pay for that is in a different bracket or maybe even some personal help. Speaking from personal experience, my son was in a school that was split at about 70% low income and the other percent was middle class to upper. I did not see feel the impact on my child until the end of the second grade beginning of third. By 4th grade year I pulled him out and put him in private school. So I think at your son's age, you may not really see the low income difference, you may only see the impact of how this program can benefit him and help keep him up to speed.
Good luck!
I have no experience with early head start, but head start is awesome! My daughter was in head start for one year and loved it! It is a phemonemal program!!!!!!!!!!!
For your son's sake, you need to find the program that will best help him. If it is Early Head Start, go for it! If you visit the school and you don't click with the teachers, keep looking. Just make sure you find him a program that will help him.
If you have the opportunity to give you child a early education regardless of a disability....then why not.
My son (8) has autism. If i had known prior to his first year of school...i would have been eligible for earlier registration. I think that it is best to get him in there sooner than later.
who cares if it is only for the low income... we are all people. and may i remind you that the low income does not mean dirt poor, disgusting people. We are a low income family and i teach our kids (4) that just because we are not rich in the dollar amount does not mean that we need to look and behave like animals ..(though some do.) We are rich in spirit and we have qualities to share with people who have even less than us.
I know that you are struggling with the diagnoses. Do what you feel in your heart is best.. It is not permanent. You are a great parent and you asked an awesome question!!
This may be mean but the whole question really upset me. The answer to your own question is are you willing to make sacrifices and get over yourself in order to do whats best for your son or not?
