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 Anchor Center
for Blind Children offers
Infant, Toddler and Preschool Programs. The programs serve
young children birth through five years who are blind or visually impaired and
their families. The staff includes teachers of the visually impaired; speech,
occupational, physical and music therapists; a family resource coordinator,
developmental psychology consultant and teaching assistants.
Infant and Toddler services
are provided twice a week at Anchor Center for Blind Children with additional
services provided through home visits. Infants, toddlers and family members
attend classes together. During the classes, families learn how to play with
and enjoy their children by modeling activities done by the staff. Activities
for infants include music and practice of motor skills like rolling over,
sitting, and crawling; while toddlers enjoy activities such as stories, music,
snack time and use of the playground to promote socialization, verbal and motor
development.
 The
Preschool Program
meets three times per week for four hours each day. Curriculum includes
orientation/mobility (cane training), pre-Braille and Braille instruction,
self-help activities such as dressing (hats, mittens, jackets), table manners
(please/thank you, proper use of utensils/napkin) and toilet training.
Speech/language, occupational, physical and music therapies along with
vision/mobility training are incorporated into the activities of all the
programs. In addition, pre-literacy activities actively prepare children for
their next level of educational experience usually in their local public
school.
Home visits
are an integral part of Anchor Center for Blind Children's programs and
services. Many children either live too far away or are medically unable to
attend center-based programs. In this case, a teacher of the visually impaired
visits children in their homes. The primary goal of home visitation is to help
families learn the best ways to enhance sensory experiences and learning for
their child.
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