A Head Start for ESL Children

In my opinion, the most significant success story of the year involves the acclimation and development of several children who live in homes where English is not the primary language. Greene enrollment includes two children who spoke Spanish, two Urdu-speaking children and one child who spoke Vietnamese. None of these children had any previous preschool experience. All were socially immature, and most suffered significant separation problems.

I think it’s fair to say that all five children have blossomed in the Head Start environment, such that they appear happy to come to class and are increasingly participating in activities and picking up on language usage. Plus, attendance by parents of these children at PCC meetings has been more extensive than with most other parents. The four younger children are expected to return next year, with one moving on to kindergarten.

Submitted by Family Service Worker Bob Wack
County: Greene