The children in the Stepping Stones School’s transition kindergarten class marked Earth Day and Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month with an assortment of educational activities.

To celebrate Earth Day, the students used blue and green Jell-O for a tong activity, played in “dirt” made of cocoa powder, flour, and oil to dig and plant pretend flowers, and explored Earth Day-themed sensory bins. They also planted beans and are excited to watch them grow. The class also enjoyed the beautiful fresh air that the springtime brings, with outdoor adventures that included visiting blooming trees and flowers, playing outdoor sports, and flying kites together.

The class also celebrated Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month, wearing tie-dye clothing to represent the colors of the spectrum, having a special pizza party, creating tissue-paper infinity symbols, and listening to books about inclusion.

The Arc of Essex County’s Stepping Stones School is a Department of Education approved private school for students with disabilities serving children ages 3-10.  Located in Roseland, NJ, the school is designed to meet the developmental and educational needs of children with cognitive impairments such as Down syndrome and other students with similar educational and developmental needs.  For more information, or to request a virtual tour and assistance with an out-of-district placement, contact Sue Brand, Director of Early Childhood and Education at (862) 210-8781 or sbrand@arcessex.org.