Spending time together at Alexandra Kindergarten are, (from
left) Tyson Millar (4), Bridget McArthur, Lily Ward (4),
Kyra Fowler (4), Skyla Thomas (4), and head teacher Naomi
Penty. The children were part of the screening programme
for speech, language and pre-literacy skills. Photo by
Colin Williscroft.
All 4-year-old Central Otago kindergarten pupils will be
screened for speech, language and pre-literacy skills.
Central Otago Kindergarten Association manager Angela
Jacobson said children at Alexandra, Terrace, Cromwell,
Wakatipu, Frankton and Hawea would be screened by Alexandra
speech language therapist Bridget McArthur.
The move followed a successful screening programme at
Alexandra Kindergarten, Mrs Jacobson said.
"The idea is to pick up children's speech and language issues
early in their education.
"If you can sort those problems out before they start school,
then they won't have these things holding them back later."
Most of the cost of the screening programme is coming out of
kindergartens' bulk funding, she said, with the rest coming
from association reserves.
Following the screening, a brief report would be given to
parents and kindergarten teachers with recommendations
regarding any further intervention required.
Ms McArthur said by blanket screening all the children, she
could pick out the ones needing help.
No other kindergartens in the country ran a similar
programme, she said.
"It's quite a new thing."
Screening will begin next term.
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