OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Two-year-old Jude is learning something new every day.
“He loves the playground, slides, and playing in the water,” says Ashley Gower, Jude’s mom.
For Jude and children like him, education is more hands-on.
In 2011, Kim Yaeger founded Little Leaf Learning Center, a nonprofit tailored specifically for children with Down syndrome.
“We see the children frequently. They attend at least four hours a week,” Yaeger explains. “We focus on physical skills like gross and fine motor development, speech, and oral motor skills.”
The center emphasizes early education, offering personalized instruction based on each child’s unique needs.
“One of the biggest challenges for parents is that children with Down syndrome tend to walk later than others,” Yaeger notes.
To help with communication, students like Jude use American Sign Language. Jude’s mom says she has learned new ways to support his education through the resources and guidance provided by Little Leaf.
Yaeger highlights the uniqueness of the program.
“Other early intervention programs in public schools may send a teacher, occupational therapist (OT), physical therapist (PT), or speech therapist, but families often receive only one of these services, sometimes for just 20 minutes. It’s not enough support,” she says.
The Little Leaf staff includes three educators, an assistant, an occupational therapist, and a speech therapist.
Ashley, Jude’s mom, adds, “I haven’t seen anything like this anywhere else in the U.S. It’s special that Omaha has this resource.”
The National Down Syndrome Society stresses that early education can make a significant difference for children with Down syndrome.
“When we help these kids build neural pathways and fire up their brains early, we’re giving them a strong foundation,” says Yaeger.
For Yaeger, working with these children is not just a passion but a mission.
“Most of these kids lead happy, successful lives, and it’s rewarding to see how well they’re included in school,” she says.
Ashley agrees, reflecting on the joys of Jude’s development. “You learn to cherish the small milestones. The big ones are exciting, but the small ones leading up to them are tender and sweet.”
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