PAL Preschool Receives Grant to Enhance Communication for Students!

Play & Learn PAL Preschool is pleased to announce they have installed new visual communication boards on all campus playgrounds, designed to enhance language development, visual learning, and schoolwide communication for their youngest learners. This project was funded with support from Marana Schools’ 2340 Foundation.

PAL Preschool is home to 200 preschool-aged students with mild to severe speech and language impairments, including those with developmental delays, and diagnoses of autism. Christina Aicardi, PAL Speech Language Pathologist, and Beka Johnson, PAL Physical Therapist, saw an opportunity for students to learn even while playing at recess, and led the effort.

“Many students at the Play & Learn Preschool have significant communication needs, and the playground is an essential campus space for students to interact with each other. Students with speech and language impairments face significant communication challenges, which leads to frustration and fewer interactions with their peers,” said Mrs. Aicardi.

“By having poster-sized communication boards on the playground, we can model and encourage communication during play, helping every child be heard, understood, and included.”

We are grateful to the Marana Schools’ 2340 Foundation for its continued investment in MUSD schools, and for supporting initiatives that help PAL Preschool students learn, connect, and thrive!