Making Great Strides

Making Great Strides

Head Start helps students grow developmentally and academically

Story by Susan Collins-Smith • Photos by Kevin Hudson

When Kash Barnett started preschool, his vocabulary consisted of just five words.

But that’s all changed since he enrolled at Gaston Point Head Start in Gulfport. His mom, Diamond Charles, attributes much of his progress to the teachers and the program, which is managed and delivered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

“I was so nervous about putting him in preschool. It is very scary when you have a child with a disability,” says Charles, explaining that her son, who is diagnosed with autism, had never been in any type of childcare setting. “I had been his only teacher, and he was never around other kids.”

Charles says that difficult decision was the best one she ever made for Kash. She has seen the now 4-year-old make both educational and developmental strides in the 2 years he’s attended.

“I used to keep a list of all of his achievements, but he’s progressing so fast that I can’t keep up with it,” Charles shares joyfully. “He has come out of his shell. He’s a completely different child now. He’s talkative and can express his feelings. He has friends. It is amazing.”

While Charles was teaching Kash basic preschool concepts and had her son working with a speech therapist before starting preschool, Charles says the program at Gaston Point has made all the difference.

“At first, they focused on getting him to talk. Right now, he’s working on handwriting,” Charles explains. “Goals are definitely being met and expanded on. He gets to develop his social skills, things like taking turns and asking questions. He’s also learning math, science, counting, and the alphabet. He’s grasping so much. He’s teaching me things.”

Kash meets one-on-one with a speech therapist and a special education teacher once a week at Gaston Point. Both are employees of the Gulfport school system and will continue to work with Kash when he starts kindergarten in August.

“They work with him on all of the same things that he does in the classroom, but the time he spends with them allows him to be more focused with no distractions,” Charles explains. “He works on all the same learning material as his classmates. Some things just take more time for him to master.

“For example, when we work on handwriting at home, I’ll say, ‘Okay let’s write this letter.’ But he will scribble instead. So sometimes it just takes more time and some patience.”

Gaston Point’s small class size, structure, and inclusivity have contributed greatly to Kash’s success.

“He’s a part of everything here. The environment is very inclusive, and that helps a lot,” Charles says. “The teachers and the students have welcomed him. There is also a schedule and a structure that is important for him. That will also help him when he starts kindergarten.

“He loves coming to school, and I can tell that he feels comfortable here.”

Pricilla Alford, family advocate at Gaston Point, interviewed Charles when she applied to enroll Kash in the program.

“She was very concerned about putting him in any program. I assured her that we are family here and that Kash would do fine,” Alford explains. “It’s part of my job to make sure parents and children have their needs met. When he first started, I would send her pictures of him throughout the day to make sure she knew he was okay and doing well.

“He has really progressed and has grown socially and academically,” Alford continues.

When kindergarten starts in August, he’ll be ready, his mom says.

“It will be a change, but once he gets the hang of it, he’ll be okay,” she declares.

Charles says the Head Start program has been nothing but positive for her family.

“I was scared to put him in a program, and some things are still scary because he still has a disability at the end of the day. But I know I can’t be scared—for him,” Charles relates. “You can’t shelter them. You have to let them try. Attending this program has made him a stronger, better person—and me too.

“I don’t feel like he’d be the Kash he is now if he weren’t in this program. This changed him for the better.”

Head Start programs offer services that help children and families by providing an environment that fosters health, family well-being, and early learning and development. Extension’s Head Start program is federally funded through the Office of Head Start and serves preschool and elementary-aged students and their families in Harrison County.