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FDLRS Child Find Offers "Grow TO 5: Training Modules
GROW TO 5
Grow to 5 is a revised and updated version of Florida’s popular series, the Model of Interdisciplinary Training for Children with Handicaps (MITCH).
Like MITCH, Grow to 5 was developed to assist Florida school districts in providing interdisciplinary training and resources to families, degreed and non degreed early educators, and health care providers and other related service personnel who work with young children, including children with disabilities. However, while MITCH emphasized children ages birth to three years, Grow to 5 addresses the needs of children ages birth to five years.
The MITCH modules have been used extensively in Florida since 1990. In 1998, with the demand for information and training for educators of infants, toddlers and preschool children stronger than ever, the Florida Department of Education’s Bureau of Education for Exceptional Students (now the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services) began revising and updating the modules to carry them into the new century. Among the changes included in the content of the new Grow to 5 modules are:
- More developmental information about children ages 3 to 5
- Emphasis on developmentally appropriate practice for all children rather than just those with disabilities
- Updated technology applications
- Updated developmental and medical research base
- Updated language and reference to current state and federal legislation
- Updated references and resources
- Spanish translations of the handouts are included with each module
The Grow to 5 series consists of 13 modules. The training manual for each module includes a complete script (divided into 3 one-hour segments which can be presented in one training or as 3 separate trainings), instructions for activities, a resource list, and the reproducible handouts (in both English and Spanish) that an instructor will need to present that module. For some modules, a videotape is available to supplement the written material. Each module can be used independently, and the modules may be presented in any order, since no module provides prerequisite material for another. The modules are: (.pdf)
- Module A – The Education and Care giving Environment: Planning an Effective Program
- Module B – Working Together: Communication Skills for Families, Early Childhood Educators, and Other Professionals
- Module C – Health Care: Infection Control, Medication Administration and Seizure Management
- Module D – Nutrition and Feeding Practices: What You Need to Know
- Module E – Intellectual Development: What You Can Do to Help
- Module F – Speech and Language Development: What You Can Do to Help
- Module G – Motor Development: What You Need to Know
- Module H – Social and Emotional Development: Building the Child’s Foundation
- Module I – Teaching Behavior Skills: Calm, Connect, Clarify
- Module J – Inclusion: Serving Children with Special Needs in Early Care and Education Settings
- Module L – Family Functioning: Understanding Families and Helping Them Cope
- Module M – Transition Points: Helping Children and Families Move to a New Program
The series also includes two separate booklets:
Welcome to the World: An Overview of Your Growing Child may be used with Modules A, E, F, G, H, I, J, K
“Welcome to the World” (English PDF)
“Welcome to the World” (Spanish PDF)
“Welcome to the World” (Creole PDF)
Nutrition for Children With Special Health Care Needs accompanies Module D and is available in English and Spanish. (.pdf)
The printed Grow to 5 materials, including the booklets, may be reproduced for training purposes within the state of Florida. Instructors and training agencies may reproduce the booklets for participants or obtain copies through the FDLRS Alpha Associate Center at no charge, by contacting Dana Wilcox, FDLRS/Child Find, at 561-434-8299 (voice); 561-357-7644 (fax); or by email at wilcox@palmbeach.k12.fl.us. The complete set of Grow to 5 materials, including all the modules and booklets, is available on disk in PDF (Acrobat Reader) format, and can be requested in the same way.
These materials may also be requested directly from the Department of Education’s Clearinghouse Information Center, 325 W. Gaines Street, Room 628 Turlington Bldg., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400. Telephone: 850-245-0477; Fax 850-245-0987, or by email: cicbiscs@fldoe.org.