This fall will see the opening of a new Early Childhood Occupations program at Lake Region Vocational Center.  This program will prepare high school students for various roles that have their foundation in child development. Students will learn content and practices that lead to careers as early childhood/elementary teachers, speech/occupational/physical therapists, social workers, day care owners/child care providers, pediatric nurses and many other roles.

This program will also include a component that allows students to work directly with children — the Creating Connections Playschool. Pam Caron, the program instructor, explains her philosophy: “I believe children’s success is powerfully impacted by their surroundings, their experiences, and most significantly their relationships. When children feel safe, when they sense that they belong, it is then and only then that their minds are open to learning. Play is how children learn. It engages them in thinking, problem solving, creating, imitating, socializing, and gaining confidence in themselves.”

Creating Connections is designed for children of ages two and a half to four. The plan for the playschool is to meet two days per week from October into May, and that each session will be an hour and a half long, developmentally-appropriate, and play-based. Children will receive one-on-one attention as they learn to care for their things, themselves and their peers. There is no fee to attend. 

For more information or to register, please contact Pam Caron at 316-3085.