Since all the major disruptions that education in Puerto Rico has suffered (the passage of Irma and Maria, the earthquake that affected the southwest area, and the arrival of COVID-19), we have seen an increase in the number of parents seeking educational and therapeutic alternatives that meet their children’s needs. That’s why we have started the construction of an annex spanning 14,297 square feet, which will include a gymnasium, an indoor courtyard, a garden, and 14 classrooms capable of accommodating up to 120 children aged 2-9 years old.

The curriculum of the Centro de Aprendizaje del Niño (CAN) is presented as a combination of various educational models and philosophies, making it a hybrid curriculum. Each of these approaches significantly contributes to the holistic development of the child, addressing their needs in academic, social, and communication areas. Among the models, curricula, and philosophies integrated into our program are The Creative Curriculum for Preschool Foundation (Teaching Strategies), the STAR Program (Strategies for Teaching Based on Autism Research), the Sunshine: Small Group Activities from the STAR Autism Support Program, and the Montessori approach.

This project responds to an urgent need in Puerto Rico: providing therapeutic services to children diagnosed with autism, sensory problems, learning difficulties, language disorders, and social communication disorders. It will help mitigate the devastating outcomes that all these major interruptions in education have caused in the emotional and educational development of our children by allowing us to provide an educational alternative that integrates therapeutic services in a viable, effective, and assertive manner according to the child’s needs, along with the assistance of their parents and/or caregivers. Additionally, we ensure the creation of 24 direct job positions, contributing to curbing the exodus of health professionals and teachers.