Infant and Preschool Services (Birth-5)

Meet Our Early Childhood Consultant

Hillary Key, Early Childhood Consultant
Hillary Key, Early Childhood Consultant

Hillary Keys has over 30 years of experience in education and worked as a classroom teacher, an itinerant TVI/TDB, and Deafblind Specialist at a regional and statewide level for the last 19 years. She is passionate about finding the best ways for children to learn and experience joy, especially those with complex needs. While she has diverse interests, Active Learning approach and early childhood development and learning are areas of strength. Hillary is the past chair for AERBVI’s Multiple Disabilities and Deafblindness Division and received the Julia L. Young award from TAER for her work related to Active Learning. At this stage in her career, sharing her knowledge and experience with colleagues and families might be the favorite part of her career.

Want to connect with Hillary? Contact her at keysh@tsbvi.edu

Consultation

A child’s home is their first learning environment. Children are born ready for, and expecting, back and forth communication.  Their brains are wired for learning.  Science is now teaching us that early experiences with caregivers shape the architecture of the brain and families provide the foundation for that learning to begin.  We know that children learn best within the safety of nurturing and responsive relationships. The Texas Deafblind Project can explore how to make these everyday experiences accessible for children who are deafblind.  Hillary is available to meet with families and other members of their child’s team at home or in community or school settings.  to discuss needs related to identification, resources, training, and any other concerns.

Training

Families and programs serving infants and preschool-aged children (birth through 5 years of age) may request a variety of supports. Assistance may include information about child development for children with typical vision and hearing, what to do when concerns arise, what Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services may include, how to connect with ECI agencies, identification and eligibility, interaction and communication, literacy, social and emotional development, movement, travel skills and cognitive skills.