2. Early Childhood Foundation Skills Birth – 5 years Where does this journey begin? Rebecca Coakley, MA Children’s Vision Rehabilitation Project West Virginia University Eye Institute

3. Overview of the Journey 1) Dreams to Reality 2) Reality to Education 3) Education to Advocacy 4) Advocacy to Intervention 5) Intervention to Independence

4. Dreams to Reality Acceptance

5. Dreams to Reality Fears Guilt Anger Pity

6. Dreams to Reality Normal to “New Normal” Expectations should not change The avenue in which to achieve may!

7. Reality in Education Trip to Holland

8. Reality to Education Fact Finding Mission Physicians Medications Surgeries Research Educators Therapist Agencies Support Groups

9. Education to Advocacy

10. Base of Knowledge Case Manager Developing professional relationships

11. Advocacy to Intervention

12. Case Manager Advocate for child Transition to Child

13. Intervention to Independence

14. Interventions Milestones Allow child to explore Allow child to fail Require child to communicate needs Letting go Nurture new relationships Create safe environment

15. Interventions It takes a village… Create strong community Grandparents Agencies Physicians Educators

16. Interventions Create opportunities for learning Play! Play! Play! Success/failure Basic concepts – Don’t Assume! Use multi-sensory approach May need adaptation or individualized instruction

17. Interventions Social Skills Direct fact to voice Head up posture Body Language Press, poke & rock

18. Interventions Sensory Integration Touch Sense of body awareness (shoe) Cueing Sound Vacuum cleaner Garage door

19. Interventions Sensory Integration Smell Food  kitchen Roses  garden Taste Sight Light perception Increase visual interest

20. Interventions Moving on Motivation Reach to Roll Balance – sit

21. Interventions Moving on Crawling Exploration Relationship to space Increases upper body and hand strength

22. Interventions Moving on Upright position Supported Unsupported Safety Bruises Confidence

23. Intervention to Independence Language/Communication Cries  adult response Consistency with language Replace with vocalization, signs or gestures Cause/Effect Meaningful use of words

24. Interventions Strong foundation leads to: Smooth Transition Sitters School College Jobs

25. A house of success is built one brick at a time. Success is a journey… not a destination