Special Education staff at Capuano Early Childhood Center organized another wonderful career event for students in our ECIP classrooms. ECIP (Early Childhood Intervention Program) is a multi-sensory preschool program that serves children with and without special education needs from the Somerville community. The program uses the same curriculum as general education prekindergarten classes, and classroom activities are designed to ensure that all children are challenged and learning.
ECIP students at the Capuano had a great time at the Community Helper Event learning from adults about their jobs. Special Education teacher Jackie Lawrence said “we’ve done this for two years and each year it gets better. We prepared participants about what to expect.” Participants are community helpers from Somerville and the area.
The inspiration for the event comes from the Somerville Early Education curriculum Unit 2: Our Community. The unit explores people, places and things that make the community around a child’s home and school great. Children learned about community members’ roles and responsibilities and how they work together.
For the event, staff set up tables for community helpers and teachers and paraprofessionals guided classes to visit each table. Somerville Police Officers gave out police badge stickers and let students try on police helmets. One officer said “we love being here and engaging with the kids.” Ms. Natasha, a doula and Principal Barros’ sister, spoke with children about her work and students took turns holding a baby doll. Some students proved surprisingly proficient at putting the doll in a car seat and even diapering a baby. Chef Steve (and Ms. Lawrence’s husband) spoke about kitchen safety and cooking, and invited each student to organize their own goodie bag of treats. United States Postal Service courier Ms. Brigit explained how mail reaches a family’s home and offered students a chance to try on a mail bag. At the last stop, educator Ms. Abby read stories and taught the children letters.
Students engaged excitedly and learned about professions that help our community. They had the chance to ask questions and speak with adults in a safe environment. We are grateful educators Donna Fils-Aime, Jackie Lawrence, Kerri O'Keefe and Jane Ritchie, who organized this opportunity for students to talk to real-world community heroes in Somerville and learn from them. Thank you to the professionals in our community who volunteered to participate with our preschool students!
