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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Implementing an Effective Bilingual Bimodal Early Childhood Program' Track: 4 - Early Intervention Keyword(s): Bilingual Bimodal, Language, ASL, Spoken Language, Choice Learning Objectives: will be able to explain the benefits of bilingual bimodal programming for children who are deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing will be able to explain the benefits of child choice in an effective bilingual bimodal early childhood program. will be able to identify appropriate assessment practices in a bilingual bimodal early childhood program Abstract: The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing's Early Childhood team has created a unique Bilingual Bimodal inclusive early childhood program for children who are deaf, hard of hearing and hearing. Implementing evidenced based practices in early childhood education, the development of ASL and Spoken Language, and family centered programming, this program supports children in the exploration of communication opportunities while honoring family and child choice. The program offers two classrooms for one group of learners. The classroom is arranged by having two classrooms side by side, joined by a door. Each classroom offers instruction and interaction in either ASL or Spoken Language. With parent and teacher guidance, the children are supported in one or both environments. For an extended period of each child's day the child chooses which room they will spend their time in, and in essence, making choices of how they will communicate. Data is collected on the child's choices and shared with families. The Deaf /Hearing team of specialists form a interdisciplinary collaborative team focused on offering an educational program that is rich in language experiences and the social emotional growth of each child. The presenters will share how the team of diverse professionals work together to utilize: -Deaf /Hearing Teams -Specialists in ASL and Spoken Language Development - Language Planning -Differentiated Learning -Family Centered Principles -Early Learning Standards -Classroom Environment and the space of two classrooms (for purity and separation of languages) -Family and Child Choice -Data collection. The assessment process will be shared and how the team analyzes data with families and IEP teams. The presenters will share how effective communication in teams, collaborative planning and family centered practices can promote strength in early childhood deaf education. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
-             ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Karen Hopkins - Primary Presenter,Author,POC The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing      Credentials: M.Ed.CAGS       Karen Hopkins is the Director of Early Childhood Education and Family Services at The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Karen coordinates early intervention services for children birth through age five throughoutt the state of Maine, which includes The Parent Infant Toddler Program, and the Bilingual Bimodal Preschool Program at MECDHH. She serves on the Maine Hands & Voices Board, the Maine Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Board and Maine's Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, and has served on the National EHDI meeting planning committe and the National Deaf Mentor Program Committee with NCHAM.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Catherine Lushman - Co-Presenter MECDHH      Credentials: MA       Catherine J. Lushman received her Master’s degree in Deaf Education from Western Maryland College. She started her career as a drama teacher working at the Texas School for the Deaf, in Austin, Texas. She has taught preschool through third grade at the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since 1996. She currently resides in Maine with her husband Rob, and their daughter Norah Jane. She can be contacted at catherine.lushman@mecdhh.org.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Kim Matthews - Co-Presenter MECDHH      Credentials: MA       Kimberly Matthews, M.A. is currently the Preschool Coordinator for the Mackworth Island Preschool at the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Maine, and an M.A. in Special Education and Rehabilitation/Deaf Education from the University of Arizona. Kimberly has been in the field of education for 13 years and in the field of Deaf Education for 10 of those years. She holds Teacher of the Deaf/HH birth-21, Special Education birth to 5, regular education K-8 and Assistant Principal certificates in the state of Maine. She strongly believes that early intervention has the highest need and delivers the most impact in the field of Deaf Education. She is a happily married to her husband, and teammate in life, as they enjoy the journey of raising their two beautiful young children.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -