messy=smart

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Oh, back in the day!  This makes me giggle a little.  A decade or so when I first started teaching in a preschool classroom, I learned so much about hand on learning.  My favorite part of early childhood eduction was the sensory play.  I some how manage to make every lesson the messiest it could be, to me messy=smart.  I came to love knowing children were learning though touch, smell, sight, sound and tasting their environment. Looking at a picture of an apple just wasn't the same as touching, smelling, tasting and then manipulating it in smooth, gooey paint just to see what will happen. Acceptance of this message 12 years ago with parents at the school I taught in or even my friends, was sometimes not truly understood. It is so exciting to see more and more parents embrace this philosophy, one that is child led and developmentally appropriate. How exciting for educators to see this transition. I love seeing on other blogs parents writing about sensory bins, sensory bottles, process art, sand play, play dough (all KINDS).  I can just hear the neurological pathways forming in these children as they interact on multi levels with the world around them.

I feel so grateful I knew how to use sensory play and used it with my son early on before his Autism  clearly showed.  I felt he had a leg up on treating his sensitivity towards touch and textures.  At the time, I looked at it as a fortunate experience for our family that just seemed to happen. I had  the exposure to this type of play and then it just worked out that it helped our son.  I realize now that God had put me in the right place at the right time to prepare me for this amazing child to come. He knew I was going to need a little extra to help this child who was going to need a little extra.

Some things we used when he was around 9-18 months:

• pudding a tray
•  a box of different fabrics
•  smearing cool whip
•  sandpaper and cardboard rolls
•  felt stories
•  cooked spaghetti noodles with squishy balls (you gotta have meatballs)

As he has gotten older, we have used lots of other wonderful sensory fun.  Play dough  being our NUMBER ONE, of course.  Sometime in the winter we bring in a small plastic pool to put in the kitchen just to fill it up with...whatever! I think I recall blue jello, once!  ~Kim

Dramatic play & Ways to give more

Pin It Now! Many of you may be preparing now for the holiday seasons ahead.  At my home of worship, we have an annual giveaway of clothing, food, household items and toys.  Here are some links to yoyo.com with a promo code good until October 11 that will give you 20% off your first order.  What I like to do is search the clearance section by relevance,  low to high.  20% off clearance toys makes giving easier and able to give more.  Also, costumes are on sale!

Just an idea... halloween costumes aren't just for halloween. They are great for dramatic play(pretend play) all through out the year. Dramatic play is an important part of developmentally appropriate practices for children including those with special needs. It should especially be encouraged with children with Autism because this is an area that does not come naturally or is not demonstrated.    Dramatic play encourages

• gross motor skills,
• cognitive skills through problem solving, creative thinking, language development,
• social/emotional development though turn taking, peer interaction, sharing, cooperation

It is a great part of play and childhood. So, grab a milk crate or find a drawer in your child's dresser to fill it with fun costume for his or her inner hero!


Get 20% Off your first order with promo code YOYOSCHOOL until October 11

Click below
Clearance toys and 50% off Halloween costumes at YoYo.com

20% off Melissa and Doug Halloweens costume enter promo code MDHALLOWEEN

Sensory Friendly Halloween

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 This time last year, my son was totally into Pink Panther. Thanks to Netflix, he was able to be introduced to this charming character along with Little Man also known as Big Nose,  as well as, The Ant and the Aardvark. I didn't mind so much since I enjoyed Pink Panther and Inspector Clouseau as a kid.  I loved having that connection with him. The problem arose when lil' man decided that he wanted to be Pink Panther for Halloween...Pink Panther for Halloween.  There were no Pink Panther costumes, except in Japan.   I must admit I have gone to some extreme lengths for my son, but I'll pass on ordering a costume from across the globe. So, we made one. I had no plan, pattern just a desire to make him happy.  It didn't start off to be sensory friendly. I just made it to be comfy to him.  I thought about what would work for him and made the costume to work. This is what went through my head...

He would not like a mask, but I needed to make a face.Ah-ha, I could put one on a hood.

It will be cool, but he will not want a bunch of layers. Use a matching sweat suit. 

I let him choose a picture off the Internet a friendly face of Pink Panther. I used it as a guideline for his costume.  This gave him control and ownership of his costume.

Why it worked and became sensory friendly!

 

• A hood works great because he can put it up to get away from some of the sights and sounds of all the happening of Halloween trick or tricking.  It does help provide a barrier from the world. He  could put it down if he was tired of wearing it  and still be in costume. People could still see the face..kindof...from the back and looking over the top of him.

• The scratchy part of the costume was on the hood away from him.  He was able to wear his own shoes.

• The sweat suit was warm enough, soft and comfy. It was what my son usually wears.  It was material that would not bother him. I used one that did not have elastic at the bottom so he would not have anything tugging at him.

• He was happy and that makes me happy!

~Kim

 

Cell to Cell

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cell model by 7th grade lil love,  being like big sis by lil' guy

I think back to the time when lil' love, who was in 7th grade, needed to make a Science project. Those words may bring up dread in most parents, but in my mind I was thinking it was time to play.  She was told she could create a cell out of any material. I even heard cupcakes somewhere in there. Oh, how I hoped play dough would be the medium of choice and it won!

Pounds of play dough went into this project she worked on so hard.  As she organized her materials and planned her formation, someone was watching and wanted to get in on the action.  Side by side they worked together at the table.  Lil' love had specific instructions to follow and lil' guy just wanted to follow his big sister. They naturally came together over this shared interest.  There were lots of  materials available so imaginations could be sparked and flow. For lil' guy, this play time was wonderful for working on his fine motor skills and his thinking skills.  His planning and reviewing of the projects built his brain like you wouldn't believe!  When children make something out of nothing, they are truly learning. My children worked together and had a good time, by choice.

 Big sisters and big brothers have such an important role in the family when raising a child who needs a little extra. Not in a way that they have more to do but they get to be a looked up to!  They get to be the one who shows them the world, who protects them... who gets to to be a hero! 

One Sensory Bag To Go!

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My experience as a preschool teacher has helped me so much when raising my son who has Autism and Epilepsy.  I naturally shared experiences with him as I would with my students in a classroom and was giving him the early intervention he needed before I was able to get those who provide services to get on board!  I feel grateful for having the knowledge and having people in my life to guide me EXCESSIVELY.  However, I know this isn't the situation for most. I think that is why I am so excited about being able to share ideas with whomever may come across these writings.  My hope and prayer is that someone will find something they will be able to use that will help their child.  It's hard feeling like you have nothing to try to help your situation, I've been there!  Now, I have my lil "bag of tricks".  It's just my collection of things I do that rescue me in different situations: a calming song to sing or a favorite music video on the Ipod, a game to play on the fly, a backup plan, a fidget tucked in the car, pocket, purse you name it!

My lil guy has his own bag of tricks and we call it his Sensory Bag. We like the canvas,  drawstring backpack so he can easily get items in and out, yet wear it on his back.  Wearing it gives him a heavy work activity which helps him keep his body in check and we like that!  His bag is stocked with items he selects but will serve a purpose and will satisfy a sensory need.    Here is what is in his bag right now.

• Sporty wrist bands from dollar store for deep pressure
• Regular hair band to provide hands some resistance
• Mini bubbles from dollar store for blowing (heavy work) & distraction
• Spiky ball from dollar store for rubbing on hands, feet andback for sensory input
• Plastic straw for blowing air through or sucking drinks for heavy work
• Stuffed animal to cover ears to muffle sounds
• Beaded necklace from dollar store for sensory input
• Squishy bugs from dollar store for a hand fidget
• small toys that are from happy meals (must be 3, he likes these in 3s)  for playing
• chewing snack like nuts, fruit snack, pretzels for hunger & heavy work

Wrist bands, hairband. bubbles, straw, spiky ball



stuffed animal, necklace, squishy bugs

McD toys and chewy snack

We use the hairbands as a mini resistance bands to help get focused and to keep hands calm.

Here are some inexpensive bags:

Thousand Oaks Drawstring Backpack, Lavender
Olive N Figs Sunny Yellow Catch-All Jute Drawstring Backpack
Basic Drawstring Backpack - Black
UltraClub Value Drawstring Pack - White - One Size

Fall and All!

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Here is the 'Welcome to Fall ' post! 
I love fall, really who doesn't!   I do not care for Halloween at all...we could really skip it and my feelings wouldn't be hurt one bit.  My kids love to play dress up so, I enjoy seeing them in cute costumes all year long. Thanksgiving is the best.  It is my favorite holiday. I love the feel of fall, the look of fall and the great family fun that goes along with it!  It's just, well, we don't always do all the things we want to do or should I say what we think we want to do.

Like...

Want:  cover the inside of the house with Indian corn, gourds and cornstalks. Plant kale, mums and a massive hay bale display with scarecrows and pumpkins. Ahhh!   Doesn't that sound wonderful.  

Do: decorate our pumpkin people for the mantle and remember to get the carving pumpkin the day before Halloween.

Want: visit the local apple orchards often for our fresh apples for lunches and to make homemade pies and dumplings.

Do: get to a great country farm once to stockup on the last of the apples, a couple of small  pumpkins and watch the mechanical dinosaur crush the rotten ones.

The "want"s  usually don't ever happen but the "do"s always will and my kids can count on that and kids who need a "little extra" need something to count on.  I guess I 've accepted that I am who I am.  My son is who he is.  We can't move forward without accepting where we are.  Everyone's map needs a starting place to get where you need to go.

Besides...we really like roasted pumpkin seeds not apple dumplings.

Anyway it Doughs!

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On a particular day, this is what lil guy wanted to create. He was given the freedom to pile, to move, to mold and to stack playdough, cookie cutters and curly bubble blowers.   Maybe, it was tombs in a grave yard.  I mean, the timing was near Halloween. Maybe it was ducks on the pond, something we like to go and see.

What it ended up being actually isn't nearly as important as what he was doing: creating and bringing a thought to reality.  When we allow kids to bring their imaginations to life we allow their lil brains to grow and develop these awesome problem solving skills that ALL kids need to get through life.  Another very factual point...it's just down right FUN!!!

William Flewellen Heard: Artist

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The JOY from creating...expressing all that's inside is for EVERYONE! Yes.. it can be messy and yes that is OK!!

more from this amazing artist using a plastic spoon and a styrofoam ball to accomodate his grip

New Socks!

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My son and I love this song...it's just fun.  It makes me feel so totally cool without having to fake cough to cover up any bad words! 

Domo Goes to the Hospital

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About this time last year my son was in the hospital having a video EEG that lasted 7 days.  His head was wrapped up tight with wires and gauze.  He was not quite 5 and needed to be still.  

Boy + 5 = NOT STILL!  He luckily found Domo at 7-11 dressed up in a pumpkin for the Fall, so off to the hospital Domo went with us.  Whatever lil guy had done, so did Domo: blood pressure, pulse ox, head wrap and of course STICKERS! My lil guy had his buddy going through just what he was and it gave him an opportunity to help Domo be brave. 
Our children can be resilient when given the tools and the opportunity to be successful. Does it happen EVERY time? NOWAY!  There's going to be tears, screaming and getting frustrated ...not to mention what the kids will do! We shouldn't stop trying. We should always set an environment for our child to build on the next time they have a challenge and need to be brave. They will know they have another chance be the bravest of them all.





Cut & Paste: Bulletin Boards

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I like to cut and paste, but I'm not a a scrapbook person...ummm at least not yet.  Luckily, I get to make bulletin boards that allow me to use glue sticks to my heart's content. Purple, white or blue will do, I am not picky.  Here is a few of what I have done. 

What have I been doing...

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I think back over the last twelve years or so to what has brought me to where I am today. The reasons that have contributed to me dropping the best pieces of me along the way. I know ultimately it has been my own fault for not holding on to these things beyond my faith and family that gave me joy, I have to accept my responsibility in this. But when I look back, I think what have I been doing?

I think my answer to that is taking care of my kids. I'm being a mom to two incredible kids who need little extra sometimes. I'm talking about kids with medical issues and a special needs. My daughter was born with a complex congenital heart defect and has 2 stents. She will always need work on her heart, it will be a life long process for her. She was diagnosed while I was 5 months pregnant. My son James is still in the diagnostic process. We know for certain he has Epilepsy, developmental delays and prominent Autistic traits. He works really hard at Speech, OT, PT and social skills. I guess me being diagnosed with Epilepsy 10 months after my son has been a big part of our lives, as well. Even though this may seem overwhelming and at times it can be, I feel like we are doing OK!

I know I will be alright because...

God wanted me to have these children...He knew I needed these children. The children that would help me value the very life He had given us all. I always think of "Punkin Doodle" coming into our lives as a revealing of a part of myself that I never knew I could be, but God knew. Once I knew that loving a child was so boundless, I couldn't wait for my "lil guy", but wait we did. When years later he came along, he was an answered prayer. We prayed so hard for him and although he now faces challenges, I will not complain about this answered prayer of mine because our Heavenly Father will reveal himself once again.

"Love is patience, Love is kind"....love is what we have.

~Kim

The Best Pieces Project

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The last few months, I have slowly been picking up the best pieces of me I have dropped along the way. I had noticed, like many (dare I say women) I'd lost the little things beyond my faith and family that brought me joy. Just the little things that were about me. Not selfish things but joys that expressed my creative side, joys I used to...enjoy! I know that through the years my focus has been needed elsewhere. God has given me two incredible children and if you ever met them you would totally agree. They just need a little extra in the health care department. More to come on that one. So, action number one on The Best Pieces Project, pick up the blog I started that I loved writing. When I was a kid, I loved to write stories and poems. Now, I love to share helpful ideas about anything, mostly about working with kids and how to help your kids get through the "hard stuff". I love to share how our heavenly Father helps us get through the "hard stuff", too. He is the best piece of me I will never drop along the way.

Pick up my blog I dropped along the way...check!

~Kim

Dinos + Truck = Safety

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 Lil guy and I were in the dough today playing with his favorite thing of the morning - dinosaurs. I began to think about some of the skills we are working on for him, like crossing the street safely, when I thought ... if I bring a truck into the mix, literally, I can have the dinos wait to cross the street until the truck passes by!"

I have a great friend named Lory who has helped me tremendously since my son was very young with his languages delays and many behavioral challenges. She taught me to use a child's strength to teach their weakness. At that moment of play, lil guy was really into his dinos. I used his love of dinos to bring his focus to a skill that he needed to build upon. I also extended his play to incorporate something that I wanted him to build upon. That is how you strike a balance between being child-directed and being able to set goals, make lesson plans for your students and plan activities for your little ones. Go and try it ... it's fun!

"Painting" with Dough

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For me, there are a few people that I think I want to be just like when I grow up! One of those people is MaryAnn Kohl. I was lucky enough to meet her a few years ago during a conference I was a part of for our local NAEYC affiliate, LordFairfax AEYC. She is such a neat lady and I found such inspiration in her as a teacher and a creative person. If you don't know who she is or know much about process art, I encourage you to take a look at my links to find out more. During this conference, she shared with us an idea of using play dough to "paint'. As with all process art, the concept is EASY. You provide an environment for creativity, to allow the children to develop an idea of their own creation.

Provide the children with a variety of colors.

Use poster board or some other sturdy canvas.

Allow the children to smear the dough.

They can use their fingers or tools.

Children can draw in details.