Ava’s Turnaround
Since attending East Flatbush Early Childhood Center, Ava has shown a new enthusiasm for learning.
Devonna Jackson hardly recognizes the confident and independent girl her daughter, Ava, has become since she started attending preschool at the East Flatbush Early Childhood Center, a Birch Family Services school that provides services for typically developing preschoolers and children identified with disabilities. Now in her second year at EFECC, her “shy and quiet” daughter has grown into an eager and independent student.
“She comes home excited to tell me about plants and numbers,” says Ms. Jackson. “She sings her ABC’s all day long. She even sings them every night before she goes to sleep.”
Ms. Jackson attributes her daughter’s new found enthusiasm for learning to her teacher, Ms. Claudette, and teaching assistant, Zakyia, whom she “loves.” Since attending Ms. Claudette’s class, Ava, who has a developmental disability, is more independent with using the restroom, has improved her reading comprehension skills, and is asking a lot of questions. But the biggest change that Jackson has noticed is the surge in her daughter’s confidence and decision-making skills.
“Most of all she’s confident in herself and she’s making decisions on what she would like to read, play, sing, dance, eat, and wear,” says Ms. Jackson, who lives with Ava near the school. “It’s such a turnaround from my shy and quiet child.”
“She comes home excited to tell me about plants and numbers,” says Ms. Jackson. “She sings her ABC’s all day long. She even sings them every night before she goes to sleep.”
East Flatbush Early Childhood Center provides a small structured environment to children aged three to five who are eligible to receive special instruction and related services. A multidisciplinary team of creative and highly talented individuals identifies each child’s developmental needs and objectives, sets attainable goals and then works towards meeting those goals.
“Ms. Claudette is a dream,” adds Ms. Jackson. “She works so well with my child and others. Ava is happy in her class. She wants to learn and is excited to come to school. Every parent loves that.