On a par with peers

Suzie Harrison

Because of the Even Start program at Laguna Beach’s Boys and Girls

Club, local preschool-age children from low-income families are being

given a chance to start kindergarten at the same pace as their peers.

Even Start began in February of 2000 after Orange County’s Head

Start program in Laguna at El Morro had to close its doors because

there weren’t enough children and organizers said it wasn’t cost

effective to continue.

“It left low-income Laguna Beach families no place to go for

preschool,” Director Terry Anne Barman said.

Barman started working with the Boys and Girls Club’s Executive

Director Kim Maxwell and applied for city grants.

“I am just thrilled, glad that more children have the opportunity

for preschool,” Maxwell said.

There are 19 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled for the school year,

which runs concurrently with the district schools.

When the year began, Barman found that some children didn’t have

the necessary skills to enter kindergarten.

“To read a book -- some of these kids would think you’re from

planet Mars,” Barman said. “But we teach them to love books.”

She said it’s important that kids start to learn reading skills by

age 4, as well as counting, knowing colors, developing social skills

and learning how to share with others.

“They need these skills, and if they enter kindergarten with those

skills they’ll feel really good about themselves, tend to stay in

school, graduate and go to college,” Barman said.

The curriculum Even Start uses is called High Scope, the same as

Fresh Start uses.

“Were trying to develop that thinking process,” Barman said.

“Basically children are individual thinkers. The teachers support

this learning process and don’t dictate a learning process.”

The students have a schedule and divide it up in different areas

with a language and literature area, pre-math, computer area and

science -- where the children are encouraged to use their own

creative imagination.

“We try to speed up their learning process through toys,

encouragement and experiences -- anything that strengthens their

skills,” Barman said.

Using things like scissors, clay, Play Doh and glue helps

strengthen their fingers, which will facilitate writing.

In the art area, the kids are smiling, giggling and showing off

their creations made with Play Doh, using rolling pins and other

tools to shape their pieces.

“Look, I made an ice cream with this,” said Sabrina Sanchez, 4.

Learning how to play, share and relate to others is another school

goal.

“We try to encourage that typical teacher, student interaction,”

Barman said.

The school provides a nutritional breakfast and lunch each day.

The kids also have outside play time.

“They develop gross motor skills through running, cycling and

throwing balls,” Barman said.

In addition, the students have what they call free choice time,

when they participate in varied activities that help them gain

pre-academic skills, as well as activities that include songs and

musical chairs.

“In small group time -- a teacher has planned an art, math or

reading activity,” Barman said. “There’s more teacher control -- they

learn self-control, to pay attention and do cooperative activities.”

“I was worried about who would care about our pocket of poverty,”

Barman said. “You learn how important each kid is and how important

it is to help them.”

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.