LCCLL combines fun and learning at summer camps

The Longwood Center for Communication, Literacy, and Learning recently completed two summer learning events for children.

Constructing Real Writing (CREW), a writing lab designed for rising second, third, and fourth graders, involved five students in constructing language through writing exercises. The students enhanced their language skills through authentic writing tasks; developed personal goals for learning and task completion; and learned how to use a computer and software programs for creating written work.

Camp JumpStart was held for the third year and involved nine preschool children in activities to teach and reinforce the alphabet, phonemic awareness, print concepts, and listening comprehension skills.

"This has been a really busy summer for us at the LCCLL," said Peggy Agee, clinical supervisor for both initiatives. "CReW and Camp JumpStart were great learning experiences for both the children and the graduate students who led classes.  The children's excitement and enthusiasm for learning are contagious!"

From left: Karla Clay, Rayhana Johnson

Both camps were conducted by Longwood graduate students enrolled in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program and supervised by licensed speech-language pathologists and an experienced classroom teacher.

The LCCLL is an interdisciplinary center that offers speech and language services, tutoring, and classes in parenting skills. For more information, contact Peggy Agee at ageepc@longwood.edu or call the LCCLL at 395.2972.

May designated as Early Intervention Awareness Month

Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine has proclaimed May 2009 as Early Intervention Awareness Month in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The proclamation calls attention to the 16,000 infants and toddlers in Virginia who have developmental delays and disabilities. It is crucial that these children receive immediate intervention and treatment upon diagnosis.

The Infant and Toddler Connection (ITC) of Virginia provides early intervention services for more than 16,000 infants and toddlers with development delays and disabilities and their families throughout the Commonwealth. In 2005 Longwood became the lead agency for the ITC of the Heartland, which provides for early intervention services for the counties of Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway, and Prince Edward. Carol Cousins is system manager for the ITC of the Heartland located in Longwood's Center for Communication, Literacy, and Learning (LCCLL).

"The first three years of a baby's life are very important. Infants and toddlers begin to develop the skills they will need for the rest of their lives," said Cousins. "Early intervention helps to identify if a developmental delay exists in children from birth up to age three and provides support and services to address the delay. Our program here at ITC of the Heartland provides services to around 70 children. It is extremely rewarding to see the progress these little ones can make and to know what a positive impact this can have on how they function throughout their lifetime."

Dr. Lissa Power-deFur, associate professor and graduate coordinator for communication sciences and disorders at Longwood University and director of the LCCLL, serves on the Virginia Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Intervention Services (VICC). As an advisory council to the executive branch of state government, the VICC promotes and coordinates early intervention services in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a representative of higher education Dr. Power-deFur addresses issues associated with the preparation of future professionals who will work with infants and toddlers.

Located in downtown Farmville, the LCCLL offers early intervention services; speech and language evaluation and intervention for children and adults; and tutoring services for school-aged children. For further information please contact the ITC of the Heartland at 434.395.2967 or the LCCLL at 434.395.2972.