Better Together
Our Little Sparks Program provides a unique opportunity for children with strong social, language, and behavioral skills to be Peer Models; learning and playing alongside peers of all abilities in our inclusive child development classrooms. Research shows that children without disabilities benefit from inclusive environments by developing greater empathy, leadership skills, and social competence (Odom et al., 2011; Staub & Peck, 1995). By interacting with diverse peers, children gain valuable experiences in cooperation, problem-solving, and perspective-taking, skills that support success in school and beyond.
At Spark, all children thrive in an enriching, developmentally appropriate setting with small group sizes, ensuring high-quality attention and meaningful learning experiences throughout the day.
What is a Peer Model?
Peer Models are typically developing children who demonstrate strong social and communication skills. They play a crucial role in our inclusive classroom by providing positive examples of appropriate behaviors, interactions, and communication skills. Peer models help create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where all children feel welcome, and encourage learning through play and interaction.
Benefits of Learning in Our Inclusive Classrooms
Children who receive their early childhood education in an inclusive learning setting have the unique opportunity to develop an increased acceptance and understanding of individual differences. With such a specialized environment, our program ensures small class sizes with an emphasis on individualized attention and support for all children that isn’t found in a larger preschool setting.
Each classroom typically includes 10 children, with the goal that at least half of enrolled children are peer models. When you enroll your child in the Little Sparks preschool program, you are providing them access to a team of teachers and specialists who are truly passionate, skilled, and dedicated to early childhood education.
Being a peer model means learning how to understand and support others, which are skills that build strong social-emotional foundations for life. Children who participate as peer models often become natural leaders, using kindness and patience to help guide shared play, group activities, and peer interactions. Over time, they develop empathy, flexibility, and problem-solving skills that support emotional intelligence. These skills don’t just benefit them in the classroom, they carry over into friendships, family life, and future learning environments.
In Little Sparks, learning doesn’t feel like work, it happens through games, movement, music, and child-led play. Peer models pick up important social, communication, and cognitive skills simply by engaging in daily activities with peers of varying abilities. Because play is so motivating and meaningful for young children, the learning that happens is deeply rooted and lasting. Plus, they develop curiosity, patience, and creativity as they explore the world together.
True inclusion means everyone belongs, and that’s the heart of our program. In Little Sparks, peer models and children with autism learn in the same space, follow the same routines, and participate in shared activities. This inclusive model helps all children feel valued, respected, and part of something meaningful. It also sets the tone for a lifelong appreciation of differences and strengths.
We provide all children with:
- Evidence Based Learning: Supportive and effective instruction including visual schedules, a structured and consistent daily routine, and a gentle, research-based approach to discipline and guidance promoting learning and
development. - Community and Family Collaboration: Parents are an important part of our classroom community and we partner closely with parents to ensure consistency between school and home. Our team is always willing to support parents in meeting their child’s needs.
- A Welcoming and Accepting Classroom Culture: We foster a sense of belonging so that every child can thrive in their preschool environment.
Exposure to diverse ways of thinking, communicating, and interacting helps children build compassion. Peer models gain insight into how others experience the world and begin to see strengths, not just differences, in their peers with autism or other developmental delays. This early exposure helps break down barriers and builds bridges between children, families, and communities. It also encourages open-mindedness, patience, and genuine connections.
Learning in an inclusive environment benefits everyone, because children teach each other more than we often realize. Peer models help demonstrate important social and language skills through play, while children with autism offer different perspectives, new types of communication, and lessons in flexibility and acceptance. All children grow in confidence, communication, and connection as they learn from one another. It’s a beautiful example of how diverse classrooms create stronger, kinder learners.
Peer models often take pride in showing a classmate how to clean up, inviting someone to join a game, or celebrating a friend’s success. These moments of positive reinforcement boost their self-esteem and sense of responsibility. It helps them see that their actions matter and that kindness really does make a difference.
Enroll As a Peer Model
Come learn and play alongside peers of all abilities in our inclusive child development classrooms!
Enroll Now