Five-year-old Jackie skips through the doors of The Arc of Chester County Preschool en route to class. She enters Ms. Sandi’s classroom and beams brighter than her pink shirt, when she spots classmate and friend Alex. The feeling is mutual, evident by the smile that flashes across Alex’s face and lights the room. Jackie darts over to the toy section and returns a few minutes later with two music CDs. She models what she’s learned from The Arc Preschool Teacher, Sandi George, and presents Alex with a choice in each hand. Alex opens his eyes wide when he notices the Frozen soundtrack. He points to Jackie’s left hand and she giggles intuitively guessing Alex’s favorite.

The pair have bonded over shared favorites, especially story time and music, but their connection transcends oral communication. Jackie and Alex met in an Arc classroom where children with and without disabilities, learn and excel side by side. Alex is a student who uses a device to communicate and is as outgoing and friendly as his talkative pal Jackie. The Arc Preschool fosters a culture in which kids learn both in the classroom and from one another. According to recent studies, inclusive classrooms reinforce the concept that all people have strengths and weaknesses and have value, which can increase students’ acceptance of their own abilities and increase their tolerance of diversity. Students can learn how to be friends with people who are different from themselves.

Lauren Rodolfo, wasn’t fully aware of her son Alex’s friendship with Jackie until observing it firsthand at The Arc’s Bubble Walk/Run fundraiser event. “This cute little girl spotted Alex out of a huge crowd,” said Rodolfo. “She was looking for him and I could see on Alex’s face how excited he was to see her. Then they high-fived. Alex can’t easily go up to kids in his wheelchair, so he relies on others taking that initiative.”

Jackie Guay wears ponytails that are as bouncy as her personality. She wasn’t a stranger to The Arc as her older sister, with a vision impairment, attended the preschool program first. Genelle Guay, Jackie’s mother, said, “Jackie would beg to tag along with her sister and go to school. When she was finally old enough, we signed her up for The Arc’s two-year-old program. She’s always loved it here and I’m not surprised she hit it off with Alex. The kids all feel supported. If you want someone to love your child like you do, The Arc is the place to go.”

Today, Jackie and Alex are veteran Preschoolers at The Arc and in their final year. Their bond is evident as Jackie jockeys for a seat near Alex before cooking class begins. A few moments earlier the duo was in the reading nook where Jackie read a shared favorite aloud to her longtime pal. “Alex’s verbal skills are limited and that helps teach kids to find other ways to learn about people. You must figure out what you have in common and learn you can have fun together no matter how someone may “present” themselves. You learn the true essence of someone when you can’t rely on words to get to know them,” said Rodolfo, Alex’s mom.

Each week the students are exposed to curriculum utilizing technology from Smart Boards to iPads, and includes math, science, reading, music, art, dance/yoga, cooking, and both offsite and onsite exploration such as the mobile library and field trips. Today Ms. Sandi discusses the steps in making fruit salad and assigns each child a task in line with their skill set. Music from The Wiggles plays in the background reinforcing how fruit salad is “yummy yummy.” Jackie is instructed to cut apples and is also teacher’s helper. Alex slices bananas with an aide’s assistance. A classmate with a neuromotor challenge and partial to large hair-bows, focuses on fruit’s sensory elements of smell, taste, and texture.

Next, Ms. Sandi asks each child questions commiserate with their level of knowledge, from identifying fruit colors to more advanced spelling and phonetics. Jackie raises her hand enthusiastically and orally answers questions. Alex beams when empowered through multiple-choice. A classmate with pink eyeglasses clicks on her iPad and smiles as it gives voice to the correct answer. Each child is excited to share their knowledge. The curriculum keeps them engaged while supporting their individual learning path and success.

Sandi George came to The Arc with an Undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Master’s in Special Education. “I resonate with The Arc philosophy because it’s about making interacting with all disabilities a priority. It’s important. There’s a misconception out there that attention given to kids with disabilities takes away from the typical kid’s experience and learning. What’s happening in our classrooms every day dispels that thinking,” said George. Research data supports that inclusive classrooms do not hinder the academic achievement of typical students and may have social and developmental advantages for students both with and without disabilities.

Ms. Sandi often enlists Jackie and other children without disabilities in the class as teacher’s helper. Studies concur that “typical peers who learn through sharing and demonstration are likely to increase in self-esteem, confidence, autonomy, and leadership skills.” Ms. Sandi creates scenarios where classmates engage in activities together, and learn how to communicate, teach, and help one another. “The kids don’t see disability here. The children model behaviors where they can apply what they learn and help each other grow,” said George.

The preschool day winds down and the students are prepared for parent pick up and bus rides home. Jackie and Alex will say a final goodbye to The Arc at preschool graduation. “I’ve seen Jackie’s self-confidence grow since she’s been at The Arc. She’s learning to go outside her comfort zone,” said Genelle Guay. Alex’s mom, Lauren Rodolfo, shares similar sentiments and notes Alex’s academic and interpersonal growth.

Fellow preschool parents agree as reflected in the preschool’s 35% growth this past year. Under the leadership of Preschool Director Sarah Kuser, the school opened a new classroom in 2019 and plans on continuing to grow the program. “There’s a shift in the educational system toward inclusive learning and it’s revolutionizing how children learn and engage in the world. It’s a win-win for students of all abilities. We hope to expand our reach with more funding and support and are thrilled with the success of this year’s class,” said Kuser.

Jackie and Alex are on track to successfully graduate in August. They will leave behind their beloved preschool but take with them the tools, friendships, and experience they’ve built there. The kids will be ready to move on but based on the friendships made by both adults and children alike, there won’t be a dry eye in the room.

For more information on The Arc of Chester County Preschool or revolutionary learning, contact Preschool Director Sarah Kuser at 610 696-8090 ext. 217. Join the movement! Help open minds and doors for children of all abilities to learn and thrive together by spreading the word or donating to The Arc of Chester County’s Preschool.