Event organizer Hayley Hodges says the family info fairs are designed to ease the transition to school for children with disabilities or exceptionalities.
Five Counties Children’s Centre is bringing back its popular Ready for School events to help children with disabilities or exceptionalities adjust to starting or returning to school.
This year’s family information fairs will be held in Peterborough on May 31, Cobourg on June 7, and Lindsay on June 14. The events run from 10 a.m. to noon and include a free lunch, parent workshops and supervised play-based activities led by Registered Early Childhood Educators.
Five Counties Hayley Hodges tells us the event last year in August was well attended, but as a result of feedback they received, they’ve moved the event earlier this year.
Hodges is the Client and Family Engagement Lead at Five Counties and she says school transitions can be especially stressful for children with physical, developmental or communication challenges-and their caregivers.
“Any time a child starts school can be nerve-wracking for families, but even more so for parents and caregivers whose child has a disability or exceptionality,” said Hodges. “We want to reduce that stress by showing what supports are available and how families can advocate for their child.”
Five Counties Bill Eekhof tells us the events this spring will hopeful help families prepare so the transition to school is made less stressful.
This is the second year for Ready for School, and new additions this year include five interactive play stations and the “All-Day Play” experience for children during the adult sessions.
Eekhof tells us the event also features school board representatives, clinicians and other professionals who can answer questions and provide resources such as the “6F’s of Child Development.”
Parents can also hear from families who’ve successfully navigated the transition to school.
Children will have the opportunity to explore a real school bus and receive a welcome package with tools and toys.
To attend, families are encouraged to pre-register at fivecounties.on.ca.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
