Class Size: 12 Children Ages 2-3

Room one is a 6:1:2 integrated class room. The students are between two and three years of age. We work on many skills throughout the school day during individual instruction times as well as group activities. Group activities include art/ sensory activities, gym time, music/ circle time, small group centers and play activities. Play times are an important part of our learning at this age. We teach appropriate play skills with a variety of classroom toys, as well as how to play next to or with someone else.

We focus on early social skills including turn taking, sharing and building attention spans to increase the amount of time students are able to play with a particular toy. Music is also an important part of our day in room one. Many students respond well to music and song, and it is often incorporated into instruction times, reinforcement intervals and transitions throughout the day. 

Room 1 is a busy room where learning is fun all day long.
Kathy Heiner
Special Education Teacher
room 1 team picture Bekah,Kathy,Laura

Recently in Room 1...

2.27.26 Our Cozy Corner 

Did you know we have a cozy corner in our room, equipped with a carpet, pillows, and of course BOOKS. Our students love to look at the books, and the art!

The art has been building all year. We model Eric Carle’s animals for some of our art projects, and the wall is becoming more prolific every month.  

Our cozy corner is a natural spot for two or three friends to huddle over a book, or for one student to comfortably browse  We love it! 

2/13/26 – Sensory Boxes

At Crossroads we place great importance in meeting our student’s needs. Children with autism can be overwhelmed by their senses but can also find comfort in stimulating them! Room 1 puts this to use and gave their kids a chance to play in sensory boxes. Having that resource, Room 1 students were able to engage in an activity that balanced their emotions and taught them healthy ways to self sooth. Thank you, Room 1, for always thinking of what’s best for your little ones!

2.3.26 – Social Skills

Ms. Kathy says, “Working together to put the alphabet in order. Such sweet interactions between them over a shared interest ❤️”

1.27.26 - Kitchen Time!

Room 1 was working hard making pretend snacks with their toys today! We love this type of interactive learning. These kids are having fun while learning important housekeeping rules that will help them in the future! Great work R1! 

12.19.25

Twas the last day before Christmas vacation, and in Room 1 the children were full of cheer as they gathered for morning circle. Smiles, songs, and shared routines filled the room as the students happily started their day together, enjoying the comfort and excitement of familiar activities before the holiday break. ✨

12/1/2025 A Visit from Moonbeam and Carol 

As part of our Giving Tuesday celebration, we were thrilled by a visit from Moonbeam, a flat-coat lab, and Carol, her owner.

Moonbeam, aged four, is certified as a Therapy Dog by Therapy Dogs International, and her training shows. Gentle and sweet, she loves children, and our students responded with delight to her kisses and wagging tail. 

This was our first visiting pet this year and we can’t wait to see Moonbeam and Carol again, soon.

10.31.25 Happy Halloween!

This morning, our littlest learners gathered around the table — together! — to decorate their Halloween trick-or-treat bags. With stickers everywhere and tiny hands hard at work, this simple activity was doing a whole lot more than prepping for candy collecting.

As they chose stickers, peeled them, and pressed them onto their bags, students were practicing essential fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and planning. Sitting side-by-side also gave them the perfect opportunity to work on patience — waiting for their turn, waiting for just the right sticker, and waiting (with great anticipation!) for the festivities to begin.

A fun, calming craft… and a classroom full of proud artists ready for Halloween. 🎃

10.9.25 Fire Safety Education

On Tuesday, we had a special visit from our local PINE GROVE Fire department! Firefighters showed our students their gear, equipment, and trucks, helping everyone learn what to do in case of an emergency. The kids were fascinated watching the firefighters put on their uniforms and loved getting a chance to touch the equipment and even explore the fire truck up close!

These hands-on experiences not only teach important safety skills, but also help our students feel more comfortable and confident around community helpers. It’s especially important for children in case of a real emergency to not feel afraid of the firefighters in their big equipment. A big thank-you to our local heroes for making learning so exciting! 

We also incorporated some Fire Safety learning experiences into our lessons and activities. One fun activity for the children was painting, and another was a sensory bucket filled with firefighting vehicles and an inch of water. 

R1-Fall-Theme

9/29/25  Room 1 in September 
This month, Room 1 has been diving into all things fall! We’re talking about the changing leaves, making colorful leaf projects, and reading stories about autumn. Our color focus is red, yellow, orange, and brown — families can help by pointing out these colors and leaves at home, too!

7.28.25  Storytime in Room 1! 
Room 1 is all ears as their teacher reads The Very Hungry Caterpillar! Read-alouds like this are a favorite part of the day, building early literacy skills and bringing everyone together for a shared story adventure.  

Did you know? Eric Carle, the author and illustrator, created the book in 1969, and it’s been loved by generations ever since! His colorful collage-style art captures the imagination of readers young and old.  

7.18.25 Tasty Hands-On Learning in HFP.

7.18.25 Tasty Hands-On Learning in HFP 

In Healthy Food Group this week, students got creative—and nutritious—with their own fruit “ice cream” cones! Using fine motor skills, they tore triangle shapes to form waffle cones, then topped them with banana slices and strawberries for a fun, healthy treat. This activity was both delicious and also helped reinforce shape recognition, food tolerance, and self-help skills. Yummy learning at its best!

7.18.25 Tasty Hands-On Learning in HFP. In Healthy Food Group this week, students got creative—and nutritious—with their own fruit “ice cream” cones! Using fine motor skills, they tore triangle shapes to form waffle cones, then topped them with banana slices and strawberries for a fun, healthy treat. This activity was both delicious and also helped reinforce shape recognition, food tolerance, and self-help skills. Yummy learning at its best.

7.18.25 Tasty Hands-On Learning in HFP.

7.18.25 Tasty Hands-On Learning in HFP 

In Healthy Food Group this week, students got creative—and nutritious—with their own fruit “ice cream” cones! Using fine motor skills, they tore triangle shapes to form waffle cones, then topped them with banana slices and strawberries for a fun, healthy treat. This activity was both delicious and also helped reinforce shape recognition, food tolerance, and self-help skills. Yummy learning at its best!

Little Bookworms in Room 1

Our youngest learners in Room 1, just 2–3 years old, are already showing a love for books! It’s heartwarming to see them sitting quietly, flipping through pages, and exploring stories on their own. These early reading moments build attention, language, and a lifelong love of learning!

A little boy sits at a table with a book.

Thank you, Sadie! 6.5.25

Our wonderful Union intern, Sadie, finished her semester with us today, and we are going to miss her! She’s been so helpful, kind, and enthusiastic, and we’re so thankful for her time with us. Wishing Sadie all the best in her future and hope to see her back at Crossroads one day! 

The Power of Independent Reading—Even for our littles! 5/9/25

Even before they can read words, children as young as two benefit enormously from spending time with books on their own. This kind of “reading” might look like flipping pages, pointing at pictures, or babbling through a story they’ve heard before. These moments build important pre-literacy skills like visual recognition, narrative understanding, and a love of books.

When toddlers engage with books independently, they begin to understand that books are fun, meaningful, and full of information. It’s also a calming activity that supports attention span, imagination, and early vocabulary—all critical building blocks for future reading success. So when a two-year-old curls up with a favorite board book, they’re doing more than playing—they’re learning to love reading for life.