Child Language Center/Wings on Words

The Child Language Center/Wings on Words (WOW) is a language-enriched program for children 2 – 5 years of age. Its state-of-the-art preschool and toddler program was developed by the Scottish Rite – University of Arizona Child Language Center and is located at 202 E. Speedway, 6 blocks west of the main UA campus. Program information including applications, fees, parent handbook, and donations can be found on their website.

WOW’s goal is to provide children with specialized clinical and educational programs during their early years, when the language system is still developing, and before social and academic problems develop.

During the school year, WOW provides a full-day preschool and toddler curriculum for children ages 2-5. Individualized speech and language therapy is provided for children with speech and language delays. Therapy objectives are integrated into exciting learning opportunities in our classrooms.

During the summer, its intensive, 6-week summer day camp provides a unique learning experience for all children with intensive therapy provided for children with speech and language needs

All of our programs are designed to provide an effective combination of individual and classroom-based experiences that facilitate children’s developing speech/language skills, love of reading, positive self esteem, effective social interaction, and academic readiness. Due to its 3-year participation in an Early Reading First grant, it is now a federally recognized Center of Excellence in the area of language and literacy. This effort has only strengthened our program’s ability to help children catch up with their peers and be ready to read and learn in school.

Talking Matters! is a collaboration between the the Grunewald-Blitz Clinic for Communication Disorders in Children and the Child Language Center. Other collaborators include The Parent Connection and Southwest Human Development. Talking Matters! was developed to provide training for Early Childhood Center directors, teachers, and parents to spot speech, language, and communication problems and make referrals to community agencies for further evaluation. It was also designed to enhance facilitation of language and communication development within classrooms of children birth – 5 years of age. In addition, directors are provided leadership training, and teachers are provided with professional development.

Parent trainings are provided at the participating schools and centers. Trainings focus on reviewing ages and stages of development and when to be concerned; building language into everyday activities; and fun-filled and meaningful activities to build talking AND love of reading.

If you are interested in finding out more on how to become involved, you can review our program description. You are welcome to download and complete this questionnaire and send it to Barbara Kiernan, PhD, Child Language Center, 202 E. Speedway, Tucson, AZ 85705.

Our TalkLine

The Talking Matters! TalkLine is up. If you have a concern regarding a child’s speech and language development, you can call (520) 621-1376 and leave a question. A speech-language pathologist will return your call to discuss your concerns. Information in English and information in Spanish is available. TalkLine is for parents, teachers and caregivers.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from First Things First (FTF). First Things First, approved by Arizona voters, works to ensure that our youngest children have access to quality early childhood experiences so they will start school healthy and ready to succeed. Across the state, FTF regional partnership councils – in collaboration with local leaders – identify the educational and health needs of children from birth through age 5 in their communities and fund strategies to address those needs. The following program is funded by the FTF through the North Pima Regional Council.