School Year Program

During the regular school year, children enrolled in the Early Risers Program are invited to participate in small group sessions that may be offered during the school day, immediately after the school day, or during the evening hours.  Groups meet on a weekly basis throughout the school year for 2 one-hour sessions, or 1 two-hour session.  Content focuses on social skills education and training and academic enrichment, building on lessons that were initially introduced in the Summer Program.

Working in small groups provides opportunities for more focused and intensive instruction accompanied by strategic peer affiliation activities that facilitate generalization of skill learning.  Methods to enhance skill acquisition and generalization include:

• Modeling via videos, books, puppets, and in vivo demonstrations

• Behavioral rehearsal

• Role-plays

• Coaching

• Buddy System (dyadic peer collaboration activities)

• Reinforcement via public recognition