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<p>KINGSTON &#8212; The Luzerne Intermediate Unit&#8217;s Preschool Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children is filled with colors and sounds that make learning fun for preschool students.</p><p>Teacher Sue Zerfoss, who oversees the activities of the classroom, sees her role not as a job, but as a calling.</p><p>&#8220;The path I&#8217;ve chosen in life is to seek out resources and opportunities for every child to grow, learn and become who they want to be,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Each child is unique with their own strengths and weaknesses. It is my job to help them overcome obstacles and take pride in their accomplishments.&#8221;</p><p>In her 31st year as a teacher, Zerfoss approaches her charges with enthusiasm and compassion.</p><p>Encouraging students to greet adults as they enter the room, Zerfoss stresses the use of speech.</p><p>At the same time, she teaches confidence and courtesy as students learn to identify themselves and ask, &#8220;What&#8217;s your name?&#8221;</p><p>Giuliana Doughton, sporting a rainbow colored shirt and a bright bow atop her smiling face, seemed to embody the enthusiasm and participation of the students as they are allowed to have fun and make friends as they learn.</p><p>They seem to thrive from Zerfoss&#8217;s technique and attention, as they gather around an interactive white board learning the letters of the alphabet, their sounds and use in words.</p><p>On a recent day, the letter of the day was &#8220;q&#8221; and students seemed to thoroughly enjoy pronouncing words that started with the letter, as they looked at colorful graphics.</p><p>With both morning and afternoon sessions, time is filled with activities that teach pre-reading, writing, fine and gross motor skills, arts and crafts, cooking, throwing, running and hopping.</p><p>Story time includes children&#8217;s literature read aloud by the teacher, songs and finger plays to go along with certain themes.</p><p>Zerfoss also embraces levity and humor in learning, pointing out Mr. Fish, a Comet fish over 10 inches long, named each year by the incoming class.</p><p>&#8220;Its a great ice breaker,&#8221; said Zerfoss. &#8220;Especially for those who have just joined the classroom.&#8221;</p><p>The center, located at Dallas Elementary School, opened in 2001, provides services on site for children from 3 to 5 years of age.</p><p>The center is now based on the concept of &#8220;reverse inclusion&#8221; which provides opportunities for children with hearing loss to interact with hearing children, so they can become familiar with typical peer speech and language, use their communication skills independently, develop socially and move toward being a part of a hearing world, a model implemented since 2006.</p><p>Zerfoss said the program emphasizes auditory training, speech production and speech reading with youngsters eventually being included in a regular classroom.</p><p>The center has made several program additions since it opened and began remote programming of cochlear implants in 2003 with Children&#8217;s Hospital of Philadelphia.</p><p>With a motto of &#8220;reaching our dreams with our voices,&#8221; the program seeks to utilize early intensive intervention services and parent education to provide its students with communication skills they need to be successfully integrated into a hearing and speaking world at an early age.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Sue Zerfoss helps Ben Hufford with directions during a song and dance in which the class participated while Sawyer Valkenburg and Nicholas Pyzia wait for their cue. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL01xx16preschool2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Sue Zerfoss helps Ben Hufford with directions during a song and dance in which the class participated while Sawyer Valkenburg and Nicholas Pyzia wait for their cue. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL01xx16preschool3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Dylan Rinehimer raises his hand puts a finger over his mouth to show he is quietly waiting to answer a question. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL01xx16preschool3.jpg</photo1><caption1>Dylan Rinehimer raises his hand puts a finger over his mouth to show he is quietly waiting to answer a question. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL01xx16preschool4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Nathan Myzick moves a piece to a story on a board during storytime with Sue Zerfoss. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL01xx16preschool4.jpg</photo2><caption2>Nathan Myzick moves a piece to a story on a board during storytime with Sue Zerfoss. </caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL01xx16preschool1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Fiona Pungitore claps after Sue Zerfoss tells the story of &#8220;The Three Billy Goats Gruff&#8221; during a preschool program for children with hearing disabilities. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL01xx16preschool1.jpg</photo3><caption3>Fiona Pungitore claps after Sue Zerfoss tells the story of &#8220;The Three Billy Goats Gruff&#8221; during a preschool program for children with hearing disabilities. </caption3><photoCredit3></photoCredit3></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLggibbons.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Luzerne Intermediate Unit’s preschool program provides quality services for deaf and hard of hearing