Setting Your Child Up for Success ~ Shadowing Tips for Parents
March 24, 2014
As parents, we all want our kids to do a good job in all their pursuits.And as parents, we want to give our kids access to all kinds of activities in hopes of finding something that they will enjoy and excel.For parents of special needs children - whether autism, learning disabilities or behavioral issues - we want those things all the more.Parents of special needs children are always in search of therapies, classes and activities to expose their children to new experiences in hopes of improving their skills, self-esteem and opportunities.Some such programs are designed to provide a very controlled environment with 1:1 child to adult ratio to address behavior, attending and compliance issues.These programs are great, but sometimes parents choose for a variety of reasons (cost, time, availability, etc.) to send their children to less restrictive programs, especially those with typically developing peers.In those types of situations, 1:1 aides are not provided but parents may still be required to "shadow" their children.For example, I teach arts and crafts classes to special needs children in a variety of settings - some are in school/therapy settings (strictly...
Sitting with a twist! Meditating with individuals with developmental differences and other special needs...
November 5, 2013
We all have different strengths and weaknesses which bring us to different places in
interests, attention, understanding and motivation.For some people with special needs, they can have great challenges with communication, comprehension and focus.But that does not
mean that they cannot be mindful, meditate or gain benefits from meditation methods.When exploring meditation with individuals with very involved special needs, focus the goal on establishing a mindful connection between each other.As a meditation teacher or leader, seek a moment of mindful interaction between teacher and pupil.By doing this, so much will be learned by both parties.
When working with individual with challenged verbal and attending skills, I only seek to create a moment in which we connect and communicate on a personal level.For starters, I reduce unnecessarystimuli, perhaps using a clear table, soft lighting and soft, relaxing instrumental music (if at all).
Then, I use simple pictures or visual aids to bring about easier interaction and connection.I may present pictures of people smiling, sitting, or breathing.The pictures should be easy to understand and effectively convey a mood or emotional state....
With the Right Tool, Everyone Can Craft! More thoughts on “adaptive” crafting for people of all abilities.
January 26, 2012
“Crafting“ as a form of therapy is not a new idea. Using “creative media” is a wonderful way to help people express and heal themselves. Focusing on one particular media - YARN (my specialty) is a wonderful, yet frequently overlooked, creative medium that can be used in helping persons of all abilities and/special needs explore one’s ability to express and challenge themselves. For me, yarn gives one the power to express oneself in unique and concrete ways. It stimulates multiple senses as it is tactical, visual and even fragrant. It is soothing and forgiving. While being “basic” in form and nature, yarn offers infinite possibilities of uses and outcomes. I have frequently addressed teaching knitting, crocheting and other fiber arts to persons with special needs or unique challenges, which is an area of great interest to me. I have found sharing my love of these crafts with others very rewarding and am always looking for methods to show people of all abilities that they too can create with this wonderful medium. The goal is that other people will find a hobby that will bring them joy in their lives by developing the skills needed for recreational activities. Can anyone learn...
Yarn for one and yarn for all! More thoughts on adaptive crochet, knitting and yarn crafts . . .
October 7, 2011
Learning new skills is hard for everyone. Sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward. I have recently started teaching crochet to a wonderful group of students, many of whom have some challenges in their daily life. Despite these challenges, they do me the blessing and politely (and I hope enthusiastically) sit through my classes. None of the students have learned before and I doubt they have any in depth exposure to "messing around" with yarn, never mind hooks or needles. One of our limitations is that we can only commit once a week to actual instruction (and I know that practicing during the week is not practical for many of my students - but once they get "hooked", I am confident someone will take their work home with them). In light of the time constraints, learning the skill will be a slower process, which is fine. However, any tried and true yarn worker will tell you that practice is key. Practice nurtures the development of skill, self-confidence and enjoyment, all feeding into each other. As the class took shape, i dedicated 2 classes to crocheting, teaching slip knot, chaining and in the last class single crochet,...
Can I do that, too?” Adaptive Yarn Craft Instruction for Special Needs.
September 20, 2011
Can persons with special needs learn to knit or crochet or do other yarn crafts? I am on a mission to prove yes! I am passionate about sharing the joy of knitting and crocheting with all that cross my path, including individuals with special needs. In fact, I am currently working on establishing a method to teach crochet to persons with special needs and developmental disabilities. I have been very fortunate to been asked to teach crochet at a day program for adults with special needs, which will no doubt give me inspiration and guidance on establishing my teaching method. It is a challenge to teach anyone to crochet, but teaching persons with special needs presents an instructor with a unique opportunity to expand and cultivate her skills. One must take a step back and see how do break down the steps of the craft to make it interesting, appealing, approachable, enjoyable, and worthwhile to the student.
“Re-Tooling” and “Material Change“. Currently, I have been taking the time to use tools in a different way. Of course, teach your students proper form, use and technique with their tools (e.g. the hook) but do not hold yourselves prisoners to the...
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