Bristol's Three Year Old Peer Model Program
Bristol’s Peer Model program is designed for children with disabilities to learn from and form relationships with their peers.
What is Bristol's Three Year Old Peer Model Program:
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Consists of three-year-old students identified with special needs, and up to five of their typically developing peers
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Is led by a dual-licensed Early Childhood Education Teacher and supported by a Special Education Classroom Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, and Speech and Language Therapist
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Is a free program* that takes place Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 8:00 am until 11:00 am
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Requires parents to provide transportation to/from the program.
*NOTE: Peer Model programming may be discontinued during a school year due to a limited number of students with Special Education Needs. We cannot guarantee that the classroom will remain open throughout the school year.
What is a Peer Model?*
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A child without a disability who demonstrates typical development in all areas and displays appropriate behavior in the classroom setting.
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Enhances the educational experience of a special needs student by being a leader, a helper and a friend.
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Help special needs students reach their goals in the areas of play and social interaction, and can model appropriate school behaviors such as sharing, turn taking, participation and self-advocacy. Our peer models are also learning! They will grow in their confidence, empathy and their school readiness skills.
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Be at least three years old on or before May 1st and not have turned four years old prior to September 1st of the current school year.
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Live within the Bristol School District boundaries.
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Be fully toilet trained and remain toilet trained for the duration of the school year.
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Demonstrate age-appropriate self-help and social skills (e.g. drinks from an open cup, willing to initiate play with other children, able to follow directions with minimal prompting).
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Speak in sentences appropriate to the child’s age-level in English.
*A child is accepted as Peer Model on a conditional basis. Students must attend the program three days per week (unless ill or on vacation) and must model age-appropriate behavior to remain in the program. Inappropriate behavior, such as bullying, aggression, destruction of property will not be tolerated.
Peer Model Screening Procedure
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All parents must complete an application and necessary screening forms and must be interviewed by the screening team prior to acceptance.
- To be considered as a Peer Model the student must participate in a developmental screening held at Bristol School.
- The screening will examine skills and abilities in the following domains: Language, Motor, Concepts, Social/Emotional, and Self-Help. Behavior during free play will also be observed.
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