Valleywide : Preschoolers Can Get Help in Free Program

Preschoolers who are experiencing mild to moderate delays in physical or emotional development or who are are having problems with speech can enroll in a free after-school program offered by the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The Infant and Preschool Program runs once a week during the school year at about 35 different public schools in the San Fernando Valley, and administrators are seeking preschoolers and parents to participate, Pat Levin, program specialist for the Valley, said.

Children are screened to determine whether they can benefit from the program. Classes are run by an LAUSD teacher, a special-education teacher and a teacher’s assistant.

Specialists including speech therapists, school psychologists and adaptive physical education therapists attend the classes, and hearing and vision tests are given.

“What we’re doing is trying to get these children ready for kindergarten,” Levin said. “Many people don’t know the school district serves these 3- to 5-year-old children. We’d like to be sure parents are aware of this.”

Parents are required to attend the classes to stay abreast of their children’s development and special needs.

Between ages 3 and 4, a child should be able to follow a basic, simple instruction, point to three body parts, generally be understandable when speaking, walk and catch a ball thrown from a short distance, Levin said.

Between ages 4 and 5, a child should be able to respond to simple questions, form a simple sentence using three to five words, interact with other children, jump over objects, maintain balance when running, and catch a ball thrown from about five feet away, Levin added.

For information about the free preschool programs in the West Valley, call (818) 997-2466. For information about programs in the East Valley, call (818) 904-2043.