The Auditory/Oral Preschool
Gateway School’s Auditory/Oral Preschool Program (3 through 5 years old)
“Little Ears, Big Voices”
Gateway School’s Auditory/Oral Preschool, “Little Ears, Big Voices” is for children ages 3 through 5 whose primary challenge is hearing loss. We teach children moderate to profound hearing loss to listen and to talk, providing early childhood education and auditory training. Our preschool program is designed for children who use amplification or who have a cochlear implant.
Our language-based curriculum is aligned with learning objectives set by the Maryland State Department of Education. Full-day classes meet daily. Small-group and individual instruction is provided by a teacher and a speech-language pathologist.
Our Auditory/Oral Preschool’s Approach
Children who develop spoken language have the option to participate fully in the mainstream community. “Oral children,” (children who have severe to profound hearing loss but can understand and use spoken language), can learn to read and write through conventional methods very successfully. Children in Gateway’s Auditory/Oral preschool receive comprehensive audiological management onsite. Teachers and professionals collaborate to meet the individual needs of every child and staff are experts in deafness, technology, acoustics, and speech and language development.
We have created an environment that nurtures self-esteem, independence, creativity, and problem-solving, as the children develop listening and speech skills. Spoken English is the only language used by children at “Little Ears, Big Voices.” Our rigorous academics, which follow the Maryland State Curriculum, prepare children for mainstream Kindergartens/elementary schools.
The Classes
- Children learn with others who have severe to profound hearing loss in an encouraging environment
- High expectations placed on child to use verbal communication skills
- Acoustic strategies used throughout the day
- Small student-teacher ratio
- Children grouped according to language needs
- Direct language, speech and auditory development during all activities
- Our classroom environments include sound-field systems and personal FM systems
- Our new, state-of-the-art campus offers speech-language therapy rooms, a library, computer lab, auditorium, gymnasium and playground.
A Typical Day
- Daily Listening checks and troubleshooting help maintain the children’s use of audition
- Circle time incorporates math, reading, science and social interaction
- Movement period encourages gross motor development
- Rigorous academics help prepare students for Kindergarten
- Portfolios and Language Experience Books provide carryover between home
- and school
Each Child’s Multidisciplinary Team of Professionals
The audiologist, speech-language pathologist and Teacher of the Deaf collaborate with the family to ensure the success of the child.
- The role of the audiologist is to discuss audiology options and review results with parents as requested. He/she also serves as a consultant during IEP team meetings, assists with classroom acoustics and technology and troubleshoots equipment.
- The speech-language pathologist provides weekly sessions of group and individual speech and language therapy to improve each child’s verbal communication
- The Teacher of the Deaf develops the child’s listening and speaking skills, teaching language skills along with academics.
Additional Services
- Speech-Language Evaluation and Therapy
- Family Education and Support
- Auditory-Oral Therapy
- Collaboration and Support of Inclusion
- Audiological Management
Admissions
Please contact Gateway for information about the admissions process. We welcome your questions and we are happy to set up an appointment for a tour of our school.
In Gateway School section
Information About
Contact the Hearing and Speech Agency to: