To the casual observer, it looks just like an ordinary preschool classroom. Primary-colored bins hold blocks and toy trains, puzzles and dinosaurs. Children’s books line the shelves, and pint sized tables stand ready with art supplies to create a beautiful macaroni glitter-glue preschool project.
A closer look, however, reveals things that set this classroom apart: pint-size standers and walkers for developing gross motor skills, laminated picture cards used in language therapy, and large adapted hooks for kids with fine motor impairments.
This is what an Early Learning Preschool, a public preschool, that serves those aged 2 to 5 who have disabilities or developmental delays looks like. Budget cuts have hit teachers and school districts hard. Basic art supplies are no longer available and teachers are digging deep into their "empty" pockets to try to fill the void and we need some help. I am a veteran special education teacher and I was asked to open the newest preschool special needs classroom in our district in October...the one catch...there was no start up money. It makes me sad that I do not have an art easel, paint pots, paint brushes, finger paints and paper. How can I inspire the little Picassos in my class without art supplies?
My Project
With your help my tiny tots...my aspiring little Picassos could have and art center with a four sided paint-splattered easel standing ready at a moments notice for those unpredictable-unplanned preschool art projects we all hold so dear. I can just see their chubby little finger diving into the finger paints and wiping them across the paper. The great part about the easel I chose is the clear acrylic boards that can be wiped clean at the end of the day and stand ready to start a new and exciting project each day. The kids would have paint brushes and non-spillable paint pots and paper to create to their hearts content. It makes me so excited...yet so anxious because I know this is something they need and I don't know how long it will take to get this project funded.
If you want to make a difference in the life a preschool child with developmental delays please don't overlook this project.
Each day, or week, or month that goes by without wonderful art supplies is a missed opportunity in these kids lives. I am crossing my fingers and my toes...please won't you help!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. G. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.