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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