Helping Grandparents & Grandchildren Prepare for Early Childhood Assessments

Many parents send their children to school at an early age. Many parents believe that their children it will benefit from school attendance if they start early enough. Some parents are reluctant to send their children to preschool. Some parents are afraid their children might not be able to attend preschool. Although it is true that children largely depend upon their parents, high-quality preschools provide a solid foundation for them to be successful academically, emotionally and socially. Parents worry about their children\'s school performance. They worry about how their children will handle homework and answer teacher questions. Preschool activities allow children to play and learn, which is not the case. Preschool is not rigorous. It is fun! Here are some reasons your child should attend preschool, and how important it is for them to play. It is well-known that children are naturally playful. Play is an important activity for preschoolers. Your child can experience different types of play, including creative, dramatic and manipulative. Creativity. __S.13__ Dramatic. __S.15__ As they interact with others, this improves their social skills. Manipulative. __S.18__ This allows them to have control over how they hold and handle them. Physical. Preschool play helps children become more healthy. It seems like they are doing exercises by playing sports such as relay races, basketball, and mini-obstacle courses. It helps them grow stronger, happier, and more stress-free. Play is an important part of life and should not be undervalued. Play can provide benefits that will be very helpful for your children as they learn and grow. Children learn best when they are active. Your child can play basketball, or other sports with his classmates. He will be motivated to win and develop motor skills. Participating in a cooperative or dramatic play will help your child do the same. His vocabulary and language skills are enhanced. The teacher gives instructions to students on how to speak and act. Students then begin to communicate on their own and can express their emotions and thoughts. Play also has the advantage of boosting self-confidence. When his teacher recognizes his achievement, regardless of how small or large it may be, your child will feel more confident about his work. Grandparents who are helping their adult grandchildren with their child rearing and raising of their grandchildren might face new challenges in understanding the early childhood assessment process. A special education assessment may be required for some grandchildren who are under their care. This process can be confusing for grandparents. We will provide some tips to help them navigate the process. Supportive Programs The first thing grandparents should do is to learn about the programs available in their area that offer early intervention services for children. These early intervention programs work with very young children and help grandparents to refer them to the early childhood assessment clinics within their school district or community. Sometimes grandparents may require more intensive assistance. Sometimes, seeking the help of a social worker can help grandparents who are in need of additional resources and services. Grandparents with hearing impairments, or other language difficulties may request an interpreter to assist them in the assessment and eligibility determination meetings. Families who require transportation to get to the assessment may be able to use other agencies. Grandparents might want to ask questions about the community services that can help the grandparent and their young child get through the assessment process faster. Wellness issues Second, grandparents should consider the child’s health on the day of testing. Sometimes, the appointment can be rescheduled if the grandchild is ill and cannot participate in the testing. Grandparents can encourage grandchild to get a good night sleep and be well rested before testing day. Grandchildren should eat breakfast, or at least something to eat before they participate in three hours of testing. Young children can be fussy if they wake up earlier than usual and have not had breakfast. The child will have to complete many tasks, including pointing at pictures, writing words, and answering questions. They may also be required to do medical screenings. The grandchild will be more responsive if they are well-rested and nourished. Complete the Paperwork Third, grandparents often don\'t have the time or the knowledge to complete the extensive educational paperwork required before the assessment. Sometimes grandparents forget to bring the birth certificate of their child to verify the information and correct the spelling of the child. If they are the legal guardians of grandchildren, grandparents will often be required to present custody papers. Parents may require grandparents to show custody papers if they are helping their grandchildren with babysitting while they work. If grandparents have trouble reading or are visually impaired, they should not hesitate to ask for assistance. Many times, a staff member or person is available to assist with filling out educational forms. Some school districts require that paperwork be completed electronically or on a computer. Grandparents may also need assistance. Time Issues Fourth, time constraints may impact the completion and quality of the assessment. It is important that grandparents arrive at least 15 minutes before the appointment time to be able to expedite the day. Many appointments are scheduled throughout the day by a variety clinicians, including a school psychologist, speech therapist and school nurse. Even a 15-minute delay can cause all appointments to be canceled and the grandparent may need to reschedule if the grandchild is late or misses the first appointment. The grandparent may have to reschedule the appointment if they need to rush to work or the assessment is not possible. Rescheduling appointments at busy school district assessment centres can take weeks. This could delay testing, and potentially impact the child\'s educational services or placement in an early childhood special education program. Grandparents might need to know how long it takes for appointments to get to them. Grandparents who take the bus to the testing centre may take an additional hour to reach the clinic or testing center. Sometimes, it takes more time than expected to assist a child in dressing and changing their diapers or bag. A young child who uses a walker might find it more difficult to cross the parking lot to the assessment center. The early childhood assessment process runs smoothly when time is a factor. Conclusion Grandparents can be a great support for their grandchildren and their families by attending and completing the Early Childhood Assessment process. This is used to determine if there is a delay or need for special education services. The child will feel more at ease when he or she is able to go to unfamiliar places and work with unfamiliar people. Simple things like a good breakfast and a rest can help the child adapt to new situations and surroundings. Grandparental support is crucial and beneficial in the completion of the assessment and in making future educational decisions regarding grandchildren and other children in their care.