PALS: Program for Alternative Learning Styles
A program of Whole Child Therapies, the Program for Alternative Learning Styles (PALS) offers a high-quality, individualized learning environment for pre-school & elementary aged children with communication, motor, and social delays. PALS is a language enrichment program for preschool children, ages 2-4 years, and a language-based, academic program for children in grades K – 3. Our mission is to help children who struggle to fit in conventional learning environments acquire the language and learning skills necessary for academic success.
Children DO NOT have to be attending therapy through Whole Child Therapies in order to enroll in the Program for Alternative Learning Styles.
Designed by therapists and educators, PALS provides alternative learning tools to help ensure both academic and social growth in a therapy-guided, small group learning environment. Educational activities that utilize an eclectic array of curriculums and therapy techniques, incorporate the Florida Educational Standards to improve skills in three core areas – academic skills, communication skills, and social skills.
PALS helps children in learning and building the foundational skills needed for them to meet their potential. PALS focuses on individualized learning goals and provides age/developmentally appropriate activities so that children receive instruction relevant to their specific needs. As there are many components of learning success, each child is met at their current functional level and encouraged to flourish in their skills using meaningful activities. Instruction is provided using a multidisciplinary approach. A team of Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and certified instructors work together to ensure that each child’s individual needs and goals are met. This “whole child” approach creates a positive environment coupled with the “just right challenges” for learning to occur.
PALS provides a specialized learning environment to “meet-the-child-where-they-are” and to encourage a love to learn. The small-group classroom creates a relaxed setting to enhance your child’s ability to learn, provides for plenty of individual attention, and allows for the flexibly to allocate time on activities for kids to develop at their own pace. The small setting also provides opportunities for staff to observe and assess children individually. Learning is further enhanced as staff and children can interact spontaneously in the smaller setting. Small groups mean fewer voices, so the children have greater chances to communicate, as well as the practice meaningful social skills. Our program allows kids to “regulate” with activities during the day – such as moving around, jumping on a trampoline, and completing activities to help their brains work. Not only is the program an excellent option for kids with speech and language disabilities/delays, but also benefits children with motor and sensory regulation difficulties.
The PALS program aligns itself with the Martin County School Board calendar for major holidays and vacations.
Pre-School & Pre-Kindergarten (Ages 2 to beginning Kindergarten rooms)
Young children will learn developmental learning concepts and social skills necessary to succeed in a traditional classroom through the interaction with small groups and skilled staff. Children learn best through play and when engaged with activities they enjoy. Our classrooms use the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards as the basis for our learning. Our instructional staff, together with our skilled and experienced therapists, design engaging activities that can be modified for different learning styles, creating an accessible and reinforcing learning environment for all.
The Preschool enrichment program is offered Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 1 PM, with the option of attending a minimum of two days per week. The Pre-Kindergarten enrichment class is offered Monday-Friday, 9 AM- 3 PM. Aftercare options are available.
School Aged (Kindergarten to Grade 2)
Led by certified teachers, our homeschool enrichment program is for children who may not fit into a traditional learning environment, but would benefit from added structure in a guided, small group learning environment. Children ages 6+ may attend PALS as an alternative to traditional school under the Florida homeschool statue. PALS works in partnership with parents, and acts as facilitators to provide families with resources and opportunities to support academic enrichment and achievement. Staff also assists parents with records and materials for each child’s academic portfolio, as well as with meeting their child’s evaluation goals. Our skilled and experienced therapists provide assistance and strategies in the classroom setting to assist with self-regulation and a variety of learning styles.
The Homeschool Enrichment program is offered full time Monday – Friday, 9 AM- 3 PM, with the option of attending a minimum of three days per week. Aftercare options are available.
Pre-School & Pre-Kindergarten (Ages 2 to beginning Kindergarten rooms)
Young children will learn developmental learning concepts and social skills necessary to succeed in a traditional classroom through the interaction with small groups and skilled staff. Children learn best through play and when engaged with activities they enjoy. Our classrooms use the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards as the basis for our learning. Our instructional staff, together with our skilled and experienced therapists, design engaging activities that can be modified for different learning styles, creating an accessible and reinforcing learning environment for all.
The Preschool enrichment program is offered Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 1 PM, with the option of attending a minimum of two days per week. The Pre-Kindergarten enrichment class is offered Monday-Friday, 9 AM- 3 PM. Aftercare options are available.
School Aged (Kindergarten to Grade 2)
Led by certified teachers, our homeschool enrichment program is for children who may not fit into a traditional learning environment, but would benefit from added structure in a guided, small group learning environment. Children ages 6+ may attend PALS as an alternative to traditional school under the Florida homeschool statue. PALS works in partnership with parents, and acts as facilitators to provide families with resources and opportunities to support academic enrichment and achievement. Staff also assists parents with records and materials for each child’s academic portfolio, as well as with meeting their child’s evaluation goals. Our skilled and experienced therapists provide assistance and strategies in the classroom setting to assist with self-regulation and a variety of learning styles.
The Homeschool Enrichment program is offered full time Monday – Friday, 9 AM- 3 PM, with the option of attending a minimum of three days per week. Aftercare options are available.
Download the registration form here:
PALS Summer Camp 2022 Registration Form
The application process for the PALS program involves and initial tour, a scheduled “Meet and Greet”, as well as a scheduled opportunity for your child to join our students for 2-hour visit in their prospective classroom. Our primary goal is to ensure that the program will be a good match for you and your child, to create a fulfilling learning experience. Our mission is to help your child meet their developmental milestones and to instill a love for learning, in a safe and loving environment where they feel valued and successful.
Applications are accepted on a year-round basis. As PALS is a small-group program, spaces are limited, and children determined eligible to attend may be placed on a waitlist. Returning students are given first priority and will need to reenroll by April 1 for the following school year.
The PALS program is a therapeutic enrichment program and is not covered by commercial or non-commercial insurance plans. We do accept the Family Empowerment Scholarship (formerly known as the Gardiner Scholarship) and cash, check, and credit card (for a fee) for tuition payment.
