School News: Marshall early childhood screening process helps parent educators assess needs

This week I will focus on some changes that are occurring this school year with our early childhood screening process. The screening process guides parent educators in the identification of children that may need additional services or evaluation. During the screening your child will have their ears and eyes checked, as well as, be assessed for age appropriate development.

"The Parents as Teachers Born to Learn Curriculum Prenatal to Three Years" suggests the benefits of early screenings to be improved health and development of young children, early identification of, and attention to, developmental delays, fewer incidences of undetected physical and learning problems among school-aged children, and better collaboration among agencies serving children, improving support and services for families.

Parents as Teachers will go into each of our community preschools to screen children this school year. This can only happen with parent permission and a partnership between the community preschools and Marshall Public Schools. In addition to these in-house screenings, regular monthly screenings will also take place at the community center. Rachel Samson, Parents as Teachers Coordinator, or any parent educator will be happy to assist you in signing-up for a screening date and time. Parents as Teachers can be reached at 660-886-5800. If you have a student in one of our community preschools, please watch for information about screenings this spring.

Your child's early years are very critical for development and opportunity. We are grateful to be able to bring the service of early childhood screening to you and your preschool age children.

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
--Helen Keller