EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM

For families of young children with special needs

Program Coordinator: Vivien Koo

Email: vivienk@multiculturalfamilies.org

Phone: 253-880-7912

The Early Learning program offers training and education for parents of young children ages 0-6 with developmental or intellectual disabilities. In addition to receiving family support through our Family Support Specialists (see Parent Resource Center tab), families enrolled in the Early Learning program receive classroom-based education on topics relevant to the age of their children. Past topics have included Positive Behavior Support, child development, and IEPs and special education.

Parents enrolled in the program also participate in Play and Learn sessions. These interactive, hands-on sessions involve both parent and child as they have time for unstructured play, sing songs, play games, and read stories together. Parents learn to play with their children with special needs, and the children bond with their parent and play—which is how children learn! Sessions are culturally-specific, meaning that the songs, games, and stories are from the families’ own language and culture.