Disclaimer: The following was transcribed from an article in the Capper Foundation Archives, originally published in The Topeka Capital-Journal. The choice of words used at the time this was written may not reflect current Capper Foundation inclusive language and views.

Infant-Toddler Open House (1995)

by Sandra Moran

The foundation was host Thursday for an open house to increase community awareness of the Capper program and to show the newly remodeled infant-toddler building. The special education program, serving 25 children, was moved to the building in August.

Special Education Teacher Michele Love sat with the toddler group in a large carpeted room. Kimberly Squires sat contentedly in the lap of social worker Suzanne Nicolet.

The children participate in a group activity before getting involved in individual work that includes speech-language pathology, occupational and physical therapy  and early childhood special education.

“Hello to my friend Chelsey,” the Capper group sang in a somewhat off-key  manner. “We sing thee howdy do.” Kimberly clapped her hands as Chelsey listened to the song.

“Hi,” she exclaimed, a wide smile on her face. The group responded warmly, congratulating Chelsey on her response.  The song was repeated for each of the other children.

A little later, Love spread paper on the floor for the pumpkin carving. After using a grease pencil to mark the face on the front of the pumpkin, Love began cutting out the eyes and nose.

“Brady, do you want to get the eye out?” Love asked as she held the pumpkin close to the smiling child. After a couple tries, his fingers connected with the protruding cut-out and pulled it free. The group cheered.