Preschool screenings in U-46 March 3

Elgin Area School District U-46 teachers will conduct free developmental screenings at the upcoming Hablamos Español Expo, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way.

Children from birth to 5 years old will be screened.

The U-46 Early Learners Education Department, district staff and community partners are working together to promote the importance of “being ready to learn.”

U-46’s plan to increase parent awareness of what preschoolers need to do and know before entering kindergarten is called “Give Me Five!” — for Talk, Play, Do, Read and Register (for kindergarten).

Screenings are among the first family outreach activities to promote the new campaign and to work closely with families to prepare their children for kindergarten.

The free 20- to 30-minute screening consists of games played with the child and information gathered from the parent, to assess the child’s development in language, social and thinking skills. It also helps parents understand the skills children need to be successful in kindergarten.

Teachers will share school district and community learning opportunities for their child and make referrals for further testing.

For information, call the Early Learners Education Department at (847)888-5000, ext. 6970.