The Macomb infant Preschool Program (MIPP) is a special education program operated by the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) for infants and toddlers. MIPP provides free early intervention services for eligible children with special education needs.

MIPP is a parent education program which models intervention for parents to use with their children.  The program serves children ranging in age from a few weeks to 33 months who need special education services because of a medical difficulty or developmental delay that can affect learning.  If your child is over 33 months, you may contact the special education department of your local school district for further information.

MIPP services are designed to provide information, guidance, coaching and parent education that will help a family during their child's first educational experience.

While all children develop at different rates, there are some milestones in early childhood that are typical.

Some milestones for different ages of early childhood.

Depending on the child’s age and needs, a child may attend one of the four MIPP sites, or staff may work with the family of very young children at home. The MIPP staff partners with the family to share ideas, information, and set goals for the child and family.

This team approach helps children learn to do what they would do naturally, but may need extra help accomplishing because of medical difficulties or developmental delays. Services are modeled for the parent and overseen by a service coordinator. Services that the child may receive are based on the child's needs and may include:

Speech and Language Therapy assists the parent/guardian to help the child develop communication skills. These skills include teaching children to make their wants and needs known by using gestures, signs, pictures, or words. A Speech and Language Pathologist helps the child in learning to imitate sounds, to produce words, and to improve communication skills.

Teachers provide families with information regarding child development. Play activities are designed to nurture many skills, including the child’s approach to toys, the environment and getting along with others. They also focus on skills such as problem solving, cause and effect, memory and attention.

School Social Workers help families to better understand and cope with the impact of having a child with special needs. Social workers help with personal, educational and parenting concerns. In addition, they can assist families with community agencies and additional resources.

School Psychologists assess a child’s developmental and intellectual abilities. They use diagnostic information to assist the team in planning the child’s special educational program.

Occupational Therapy (OT) helps children develop small muscle movements and sensory motor skills such as hand and finger movements that are used to eat, play with toys, paste, color and write. The occupational therapist also encourages independence in self-care areas, such as feeding, dressing and toilet training.

Physical Therapy (PT) helps children develop and strengthen the larger muscles of the body to move and explore. PT may include the development of head control, as well as improving balance, sitting, crawling, walking or running. The physical therapist may help the family with items such as ordering special equipment, like braces, wheelchairs and walkers if needed.

Service Coordination for the family is provided to assist in obtaining the help they need for their child. Family service coordinators work with other agencies to obtain needed services for the child and family.

Directed play experiences are important for growth and learning. MIPP staff uses play based techniques when working with parents and children, and these play experiences help to shape new learning. During MIPP sessions, parents participate and observe MIPP staff working with their child.  Parents also learn and practice the special techniques by being actively involved in each session.  Parents and other caregivers have a major role in their child's success and can utilize these activities in the home and other environments outside of MIPP to further their child's development.

MIPP is a "parent education program" and parents are an integral part of their child’s sessions. Information and ideas are exchanged between staff and parents. MIPP also holds parent group meetings which address communication, behavior, occupational therapy, physical therapy, literacy, and other varying topics. Various topics of interest are addressed. 

Parents have an opportunity to meet one another through participation in MIPP sessions and special activities. As one parent said, "MIPP helped me feel I wasn't so alone."

Between 2 1/2 and 3 years of age, MIPP children transition to their local school district or Center Program.