Morning Program

The AIM center-based program provides children and their families with an opportunity to participate in a structured, play-based program where they are able to socialize with same age peers and interact with other families. The program runs from 10:00am to 1:00pm two days a week (Tuesday and Wednesday OR Thursday and Friday). During this time, children follow a schedule that includes gross motor play, sensory/ exploration, snack time, circle/singing time, language play, fine motor activities, outdoor play, and lunch.

The staff at AIM understands that young children learn in a variety of ways. Everything they do, see, hear, touch and feel plays an important role in their learning. Since play is the “natural work” of children, the curriculum at AIM is focused around a play-based approach to learning. That is, follow the child’s lead and infusing the facilitation of skills into fun and motivating activities.

The staff at AIM includes Early Interventionists (teachers specially trained and educated in the field of Special Education with expansive knowledge in both typical and atypical child development for children birth to three years of age), a Physical Therapist (to address gross motor needs), Speech Therapist/Feeding Specialist (to address receptive and expressive speech development as well as oral/motor function), Occupational Therapist (to address fine motor needs and sensory organization), and a Social Worker (to address family psycho-social needs). Early Interventionists serve as teachers in the classrooms and the remaining staff work on a consultative basis, individually evaluating the students and providing anticipatory guidance and recommendations for the teachers and families. These recommendations are incorporated into the student's individual program plan and curriculum.

The AIM center-based program consists of two classrooms. The Star Room is the entry classroom for most children, with students ranging in age from approximately 16 months to 30 months. This classroom provides an introduction to transitions and some structured activities. The Sun Room is the next step for most students, with children ranging in age from 24 months to 36 months. Here, students receive exposure to more structured activities as well as child-led play in anticipation of preschool readiness.

Afternoon Program
The afternoon program is designed for children up to 36 months of age, who need assistance in developing communication abilities and social skills. We work as a multidisciplinary team that consists of Early Interventionists (teachers), Speech- Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist and Social Worker. This program meets on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 pm- 4:00 pm.

AIM is a play- based program. We believe children learn how to communicate and socialize through play, in face to face interactions with supportive adults. Speech and language intervention is infused into all of the activities. We provide many opportunities for playtime and supportive interactions with adult to build each child’s ability to:

• Participate in developmentally appropriate activities that include music, art, snack, constructive play, symbolic play, sensory- motor exploration and large motor play. Children have many opportunities to follow the daily routine and to adapt to transitions between activities.


• Use (and Practice!) whatever communication skills each child has already established. This is how children begin to move to the next stage of language development.


• Interact in ways that will assist each child in accomplishing his/ her speech and language goals. For example, participate in activities that require joint attention and turn- taking exchanges using actions, sounds and words.


• Participate in activities that assist each child’s sensory functioning. For example, increase each child’s ability to attend to communication partners, increase auditory awareness and listening and increase each child’s ability to play in a calm manner.


• Participate in and expand play skills with peers.

Parents are encouraged to participate in the program, as we believe children will most benefit from the program when parents learn to consistently utilize communication strategies that will help facilitate language development in their child.