Tiny Dancer

Scotty was going places. Dancing was his ticket to the world outside his door. Scotty danced and danced like a sneaky, little snake toward the gate of freedom. Literally. Just beyond the gate was the door that led to the streets of downtown Franklin. Adventure was within his grasp. All he had to do was open the gate and bolt!

Scotty is just under 2 years old and attends the United Way funded Waves Early Childhood Learning Program. Thanks to the quick-footed developmental specialists who educate and support him, Scotty was swept away from the gate, back into the warm, inviting classroom for a little more practice before he hits the big time. The small class setting and play-oriented program leaves plenty of time for dancing. Or as the lesson plan might say, gross motor skill development.

Did you know that by 24 months most children can use two or three words together, kick a large ball, recognize a familiar picture and know if it is upside down? If your child is not reaching developmental milestones within the expected time frames, Waves can help. Early intervention is the key to smoother educational transitions for children with challenges as varied as speech delay, physical development delays and behavioral issues. Waves even has a program for children with Autism.

But funding is sparse. Programs have been cut this year, and the floor in the classroom is dire need of replacement. Donations to the United Way can help. Because the need to provide support for families who have children with special needs does not end when the funding ends.

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