Preschool
Our philosophy is that young children learn best through play. Language acquisition is crucial to early development. Every moment is a teachable moment.
Tennessee School for the Deaf offers a four-day preschool program for students aged 3-5, with home visits conducted on Fridays. Our program is also certified by the State Department of Education. There are two full-time teachers certified in Deaf Education and Early Childhood Education and two full-time assistants between two classrooms. Opportunities to develop American Sign Language, along with academic and social-emotional skills, are presented through direct instruction, playtime activities, and social interactions with teachers and classmates. Students experience a fully accessible, developmentally appropriate learning environment. Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy are provided during the school day based on student needs.
We offer a preschool schedule in a warm and loving environment. We have daily Physical Education classes where gross motor development is the focus. PE activities are often paired with language and vocabulary activities that match the unit of study in the classroom. We have circle time, large group and small group instructional times, lunchtime, and recess.
The curriculum is aligned with the TN Early Learning Developmental Standards (TN ELDS). Additionally, we work together with families to develop an Individual Education Program (IEP) for each student including personalized goals. Instruction is tailored to meet each student's individual needs and ensure they successfully reach their goals. Home visits provide an opportunity to learn ASL as a family, discuss early childhood development topics, and address the needs of each specific family individually. Families also have access to parent trainings and ASL classes to help continue their student's learning at home. Early access to American Sign Language all day in each interaction ensures a strong foundation for our youngest learners.
