Developmental Preschool: Both Locations
The Developmental Preschool program is built around a play curriculum that focuses on the child as an active participant in the learning process. The teachers act as facilitators of this process, designing a safe classroom environment to help the children develop as unique individuals at their own pace. The children are treated sensitively and respectfully as they strive to master difficult developmental tasks, such as separation, control, independence and conflict resolution.
Special program features include a daily nutritious snack, speech, hearing and vision screenings, field trips and birthday and holiday celebrations.
The Clairton Center serves 3 – 5 year olds in two half-day sessions: Monday – Friday mornings and Monday – Thursday afternoons. The Friendship/Shadyside Center serves 3 – 5 year olds Monday – Thursday mornings, and Tuesdays- Thursday afternoons. The preschool in both centers operates on a school year calendar September through May. In addition, the Friendship Center offers a summer camp. There are 10 – 14 children in each half-day group at both centers. All classes are staffed by two full-time teachers, each of whom has a Bachelor’s or Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development. All families are served regardless of their ability to pay.
For more information, contact Sharon Bogdan at 412-345-0008.
Individual Parent/Child Mentoring: Friendship/Shadyside
The Individual Parent/Child Mentoring program offers professionally guided, one-on-one parent education sessions. The goal of these sessions is to facilitate the formation of an authoritative parent/child relationship. The outcomes for each parent include: listening empathetically to the child, making focused responses to the child’s play, understanding when to permit age-appropriate independence and when to reserve decision-making authority to themselves. The outcomes for the children include: expressing feelings and needs, engaging the parent in play, exploring many play areas and ideas, and developing favorite, repeated play activities. Families are referred to this program through Family Court, Allegheny County Children, Youth and Families, the Coordinated Care Network and other service providers in the community. The 45-minute sessions are conducted weekly. There is a fee per session. However, all families are served regardless of their ability to pay. Sessions are held at our Friendship/Shadyside center.
For more information, contact Tanya Marshall at 412-345-0008 Ext. 35.
Infant/Parent Program: Friendship/Shadyside
The Infant/Parent program offers very young children ages birth – 2 years and their parents or caregivers the opportunity to share focused, guaranteed play time together in a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate environment. The program strives to: enhance the emotional, physical, social and intellectual development of the children; expand the parent’s knowledge of normal child development and appropriate expectations for their children; strengthen family relationships and parenting skills; and provide early intervention and modeling of effective, non-physical discipline. A group for children birth – one meets for one hour per week and a group for children one – two meets for an hour and a half per week. Each group is limited to 6 families and meets at the Friendship/Shadyside Center. The program runs from September through May. There is a minimal fee. However, all families are served regardless of their ability to pay.
For more information, contact Sharon Bogdan at 412-345-0008.
Professional Education and Training: Friendship/Shadyside
Duquesne University: An Applied Psychology Practicum is offered during the fall and spring semesters to junior and senior Psychology majors. The goals of the 13-week practicum are to increase knowledge of normal child development; to increase knowledge of adult behaviors that promote healthy development; to understand the characteristics and importance of play in promoting healthy development; to recognize elements of the environment that promote healthy development; and to refine the ability to observe, analyze, and understand children’s behavior. The practicum combines hands-on experience in the preschool classrooms with lecture and discussion. It is limited to six students per semester and meets for three hours each week.
Consultation: Arsenal staff members consult with and provide training for local human service agencies about both child and staff issues.
Supervised Parenting and Play: Friendship/Shadyside
The Supervised Parenting and Play program offers professional supervision and structured parent training for non-custodial parents and their children ages birth – ten. This program offers the unique combination of a safe, consistent, nurturing, and neutral setting for young children, and an opportunity to learn and to practice effective parenting strategies for their parents. The program’s goal is the development of a secure and meaningful relationship between parent and child that eventually can be maintained without supervision. Parents are referred to this program by Family Court, private attorneys, mediators, Allegheny County Children, Youth and Families, and the Coordinated Care Network. The program meets for two hours once a week, year round. There are sessions on Thursday evenings 5:30pm – 7:30pm and Saturday mornings 9:30am – 11:30am. There is a fee per session. However, all families are served regardless of their ability to pay.
For more information, contact Tanya Marshall at 412-345-0008 Ext. 35.
Teen Parenting and Prevention Program: Clairton
The Teen Parenting and Prevention Program serves pregnant and parenting teens, and teens at high-risk of early pregnancy, who are between the ages of 12 – 20 and reside in Clairton or surrounding areas. The goals of the program are to strengthen families by preparing teens to be successful parents, and to delay a pregnancy or a repeat pregnancy until after completion of high school or marriage. The teens attend weekly group meetings which provide an opportunity for them to discuss personal and/or parenting concerns, and to hear speakers on a variety of topics. Teens also participate in cultural activities and parenting education/mentoring. The program serves a maximum of 20 girls and operates September – June. This is a free program, however there are income eligibility guidelines. This service is funded in part by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.
For more information, contact Gloria Ford at 412-233-8686
Toddler/Parent Program: Friendship/Shadyside
The Toddler/Parent Program provides an opportunity for a parent or caregiver and child (ages 2-3) to have a special play time together in a safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment. The program strives to: enhance the emotional, physical, social and intellectual development of the children; expand the parents' knowledge of child development and appropriate expectations for their children; strengthen family relationships and parenting skills and provide early intervention and modeling of effective non-physical discipline. The group is limited to 6 families per group. The program is held one morning a week for two hours from September through May. There is a minimal fee. However, all families are served regardless of their ability to pay.
For more information, contact Sharon Bogdan at 412-345-0008.
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