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Training: HELP® 3-6 2nd Edition


Introduction
Background on HELP 3-6
Developmental Skills/Strand Structure
Instructions



Introduction

The term "HELP" is derived from the product "Hawaii Early Learning Profile," which was first published by VORT in 1979. The original HELP materials consisted of a profile Chart and an Activity Guide for serving children, ages birth through three years (0-3).

In 1987, VORT published Help for Special Preschoolers (for serving children 3-6 years) which was adapted from the BCP (Behavioral Characteristics Progression) developed by VORT and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education.

To better link the 3-6 materials to the improved 0-3 materials, in 1995 VORT restructured the 3-6 year materials into HELP for Preschoolers to conform to the developmental Strand structure of HELP 0-3, thus offering a "seamless" birth-6 years HELP behaviors/skills continuum.

In September 2010, a team of editors and reviewers completed a two-year revision of HELP for Preschoolers resulting in the new HELP 3-6 (2nd Edition) which includes an updating of the behaviors/skills (both text and ages and the removing of some skills; see page xvii if the Assessment Manual), and updating the assessment materials, procedures, and adaptations. To improve use of the materials, the assessment portion of HELP 3-6 (2nd Edition) was separated from the curriculum activities resulting in two new books, the HELP 3-6 Assessment Manual and the Curriculum Guide (2nd Editions). These new books now parallel the two books for HELP 0-3, HELP 0-3: Inside HELP and the HELP Activity Guide.

What's New: HELP 3-6 (2nd Edition) is the long-awaited update to our best-selling and formerly entitled "HELP for Preschoolers" family of curriculum-based materials. The 2nd Edition includes three new Strands (Self Regulation, Dramatic Play, Time), along with 12 new behaviors/skills, and improved age-ranges, wording, and definitions on over 100 of the behaviors/skills, the removal of some items to better align with HELP 0-3, and updating of many of the assessment procedures, adaptations, and instructional activities. Here are the new HELP 3-6 products:
  • HELP 3-6 Assessment Manual (2nd Edition)
  • HELP 3-6 Curriculum Guide (2nd Edition)
  • HELP 3-6 Assessment Strands (2nd Edition)
  • HELP 3-6 Charts (2nd Edition)
  • HELP 3-6 Checklist (2nd Edition)
  • HELP 3-6 Activities at Home (2nd Edition)
The combined HELP 0-6 materials cover over 1,250 unique behaviors and skills in six primary domains of: Cognitive, Language, Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Social, and Self-Help. The behaviors and skills (items) are linked by unique ID numbers to over 1,800 pages of assessment, curriculum, and family support materials. The six domains have been divided into 75 developmentally-sequenced strands. Each strand includes items which focus upon a specific underlying key concept and are hierarchical in nature; i.e., one item typically leads to or builds the foundation for the next item.

The HELP materials are not standardized. No child is expected to display all the behaviors or skills nor display all behaviors and skills for an age range. Be sure to consider individual, environmental, or cultural differences for each child. The age ranges reported in HELP are the ages at which a skill or behavior (for children who do not have disabilities) typically begin to emerge according to the literature. These age ranges are not when an item begins and ends. Some behaviors/skills are time-limited and emerge into more complex behaviors/skills, while others are lifetime skills.

Sometimes a behavior or skill stretches out over several months. This is not meant to imply that the item begins and ends within the age-range time frame. The age range reflects when the item typically emerges. Since there is not always agreement in growth and development literature, approximate age ranges are offered as a guide of when you can expect an item (behavior or skill) to typically be present. A child may develop the behavior or skill at any time within the age range to be "developmentally age appropriate." Descriptions of the child's behaviors and skills are more important than age levels for understanding a child's development and determining next steps in intervention or the child's educational plan.

Age ranges for HELP 3-6 are displayed in Months as well as Year.Month, e.g., 3.10-4.4 is 3 years 10 months to 4 years 4 months. Skills listed on traditional developmental checklists and standardized tests, although generally listed in a developmental order according to age, are not generally hierarchical. Consequently, if a child passes one skill it does not necessarily mean that he is ready to learn the next skill. Conversely, if a child failed an item, this does not mean that he cannot accomplish or is not ready to learn a skill placed higher on the continuum. Without careful item analysis, it can be difficult to identify strengths and needs within a domain of development and difficult to identify "next steps" for planning. The HELP 3-6 Assessment Strands (2nd Edition) address these needs and provides an option for assessment and monitoring.

Safety First!
Although precaution and safety notes are often included for the activities, there may be some activities which are not appropriate for some children, and some which have the potential for misinterpretation. It is your professional responsibility to carefully review the appropriateness of the activities for each particular child, and to alter the activity and/or add additional safety precautions as needed. It is extremely important to use caution with the child and to supervise him carefully around sharp objects and utensils, appliances, small objects, scissors, hot water, etc.

Involve parents:
HELP 3-6 Activities at Home offers warm, at home suggestions for each skill. These are written from the child's point of view and include an Introduction to the skill, Materials in the home for teaching the skills, and Activities for the parent to follow to help the child develop the respective skill.
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