Two West Hartford preschools – Quaker Lane Cooperative Nursery School and the American School for the Deaf  – have kicked-off a collaboration sharing their learning styles. 

Preschool students from Quaker Lane Cooperative Nursery School and the American School enjoy a day of collaboration. Submitted photo

Submitted

Two local preschool programs recently teamed up to launch a new collaborative partnership aimed at expanding the understanding of peers who share similarities and differences and to embark on a different way of learning.

On Jan. 9, students from Quaker Lane Cooperative Nursery School in West Hartford hosted preschoolers from the American School for the Deaf for a morning of fun and learning.

Students from both schools enjoyed some free play time and then gathered to read Jan Brett’s “Gingerbread Baby.” Tracy Daly, Quaker Lane’s director and head teacher, read the book to the class while Heather Fronczek, teacher from the American School for the Deaf, simultaneously signed the story.

The students also worked together on a gingerbread-themed craft and snacked on gingerbread cookies.

“This is a unique opportunity for the Quaker Lane students who have been learning American Sign Language as a part of their curriculum,” said Daly. “It’s exciting to see how engaged and excited all of the students were about this new experience. They quickly realized that all children, no matter the differences, like to play and explore new things. They all loved the opportunity to welcome a new friend into school.”

“It’s amazing to see how quickly the students connected and formed friendships,” said Fronczek. “The classes seemed to have a lot of fun together and enjoyed learning in a setting that they don’t get to experience every day.”

Both schools said they look forward to continuing their partnership and expanding on their collaborative efforts. Future plans include additional visits between the two schools this spring and a possible pen pal exchange.

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Preschool students from Quaker Lane Cooperative Nursery School and the American School enjoy a day of collaboration. Submitted photo

Preschool students from Quaker Lane Cooperative Nursery School and the American School enjoy a day of collaboration. Submitted photo

Preschool students from Quaker Lane Cooperative Nursery School and the American School enjoy a day of collaboration. Submitted photo