Federal funding for this website ended in 2003, therefore few materials have been added since that time. Fortunately, there is continued interest in culturally and appropriate materials, curriculum, and programs. Because of this, we have allowed this site to remain as an archive. Please feel free to use this site, but recognize that it is no longer current.
CLARKE's Early Intervention Program and Preschool Northampton
Harriette
Smith Short Center for Parents and Young Children
CLARKE-School for the Deaf
Center For Oral Education
Where young deaf children learn to listen and talk
In a homelike setting, laughter fills the room as families enjoy playing with puppets, blocks and interactive toys. Staff and parents are partners in the learning process. Much growth occurs during regular visits in which children learn speech and listening skills. In CLARKE's early intervention programs, deaf and hard-of-hearing children flourish.
All parents want to help their children learn about the world around them. They talk with other parents. They discuss the best books and the most exciting toys. They get together so their children can play and develop friendships. But what if their child is deaf? Life becomes more complicated. We can help. Welcome to the Harriette Smith Short Center for Parents and Young Children where families find support, guidance and friendship as they help their children get a good start in life... |
The Parent-Infant Program
"Being a part of the Parent-Infant Program and the Preschool has been a wonderful learning experience for the whole family."
An uplifting and enriching experience, this program is for families with deaf children three years of age or younger. Services are available on the CLARKE campus or by arrangement in the home. Parents learn to use auditory/oral techniques to enhance their child's communication skills through:
- Play
- Individual speech, language and listening activities
- Parent support and education
- Integration of activities that address a child's overall development
- On-site audiological services
- Assessment for alternative sensory aids, such as cochlear implants
- The Preschool Program
Three- and four-year-old children, both deaf and hearing, come to CLARKE's campus five mornings per week to learn together in the Preschool. The program offers small groups with a high staff-to-child ratio so that all children receive individual attention. It is a stimulating, experientially-based program which offers:
- Integration of communication goals into all activities
- Activities designed to enrich a child's intellectual, language and social development
- Parent support, participation and education
- Thirty minutes of individual speech, language and auditory instruction each day
- On-site audiological management
- Cochlear implant preparation and habilitation
The Short Center
CLARKE promotes the philosophy that deaf children who develop listening and language skills at an early age have more opportunities in life. Parents choose CLARKE because they want their child to learn to listen and use spoken English through the auditory/oral approach.
The Short Center offers a range of early intervention services for young deaf and hard-of-hearing children up to five years of age. Experienced professionals help parents to understand a child's hearing loss and choose educational options that fit the needs of their child and family.
The Teaching Staff
"CLARKE's excellence starts with the people behind the actual education. Their methods of teaching are strong and supported by the involvement of the most concerned and personable staff."
The professionals at CLARKE are trained in early childhood education, speech and language pathology, education of the deaf and in the auditory/oral approach. Families interact with knowledgeable, friendly teachers who respect individual differences among children and families. CLARKE professionals are deeply committed to helping children learn important skills early in life.
About Clarke
"My son has flourished since being involved with CLARKE. The staff and the school's support is never-ending."
CLARKE - School for the Deaf/Center for Oral Education has an international reputation for excellence in teaching deaf children to listen, speak and understand others using the auditory/oral approach. Campus-based programs and outreach services provide help every year to hundreds of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and their families from around the world.
For more than 130 years, CLARKE's mission has been to instill in deaf children a belief in their own capabilities and to provide them with the skills they need to participate fully and independently in a hearing, speaking world.
The demand for CLARKE's services has been growing in recent years, and we are proud to introduce two early intervention programs —Clarke East at Lasell College in the Boston area and Clarke-Jacksonville Auditory/Oral Center in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Short Center CLARKE- School for the Deaf
Center for Oral Education
Round Hill Road
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
For more information contact the Program Information Office.
413-584-3450 V/TTY
413-584-8273 FAX
Web: http://www.clarkeschools.org/earlyint.html
The Harriette Smith Short Center for Parents and Young Children is located in Leonard House on the CLARKE campus.
CLARKE admits students of any race, gender, color, national or ethnic origin to all of its programs . CLARKE does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of all of its programs.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign