Author Archives: cissnewsletter

Reflection of a Lifelong Learner

When I first started my career as a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE), I had the good fortune to work in a fabulous toddler program with some very experienced, generous, loving and compassionate colleagues. In this program, we had the usual mix of busy, exploring toddlers and one little girl who was particularly spirited and strong willed. On most days, it took at least one educator of our threesome to shadow this energetic child and redirect her, help her manage her emotions, negotiate with her little peers, and adapt to our program schedule.  Continue reading →

Inclusion Ideas Corner – Tactile exploration activity

Here is a multi-sensory activity that can help you meet the various needs of all children in your group while working on language, turn taking and motor skills. This activity could be used during circle or be available for the children during free play.

Find a large box with a lid. Cut a square hole in the side and cover loosely with fabric or paper so that the children can’t see what is in the box but can still reach in. Continue reading →

One More Thing! Solutions for Caregivers Facing Overload and Overwhelm

On a Thursday evening back in January, a panel of female caregivers (Savannah Ross, Shannon Parker, Kim McLeod, Catherine Corey and Julie Drury) gathered to offer their stories and wisdom on how they have coped with care giving. The following are their tips.

1. Get up every day, look outside and smile. Put one foot in front of the other and remember to smile throughout the day. Continue reading →

Survival Techniques for Parents/Guardians

  • Organize your life using agendas and calendars.
  • Use resource libraries (e.g. CISS library, CHEO library, particular associations).
  • Use documents such as All About Me of the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) and Intake Form of the Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) to communicate information about what the school board really needs to know about your child when entering school.
  • Register children with Autism with the Ottawa Police registry (www.ottawapolice.ca/autism).   Continue reading →

Families of Children with Special Needs: What About the Siblings?

Often parents ask what they can do to make sure that their other children are getting all that they need within the hustle and bustle of a family where the brother or sister has a disability. As with other suggestions about what it takes to do a good job as a parent, it is important to remember that there is no magic formula that works for all families or in all situations. Continue reading →

Kadence Then and Now

Kadence began her time at Cornerstone Children’s Centre in the toddler room but moved to a home child care program because her mom felt her behaviours would be better supported in a setting with smaller ratios. She did well there but ultimately Mom wanted her to return to Cornerstone. When she was two and a half years old she joined my preschool room.

When Kadence returned it was apparent right away that she still had a lot of challenges to overcome. Her Mom reported a lot of the same issues at home. Kadence was very quick to react and had a difficult time regulating her emotions and controlling her behaviours. Some behaviours resulted in other children being hurt. She had a difficult time in situations where teachers needed to redirect her and she would have intense and lengthy emotional outbursts. Continue reading →

Ear-defenders, Rocking Chairs and Fidget Toys…

Helping Children with Sensory Processing Needs

Children, like the preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder that I work with at Thursday’s Child Nursery School, may have difficulty processing sensory information and develop many extreme or repetitive behaviours that interfere with play and learning. Engrossed in how their bodies cope with touch, movement, balance, weight, sight, hearing, and taste, these children may engage in continuous movement, make noise, hide under tables, stare at lights, knock things over, chew things, or press against things. YouTube sensation, Carly Fleischmann, both nonverbal and impacted by Autism, has provided insight to us all by typing articulate and moving explanations of what it is like to have overwhelming sensory needs and how they impact on her behaviour. Continue reading →

Sparkle the Dragon

A Project to Teach Empathy and Patience in Young Children

Our educators noticed an increase in behaviours which we felt were indicators of bullying. We heard a lot of teasing about differences and seeing a general lack of respect for each other. There were leaders and followers in the group and the educators needed to find a process which would help the children to understand how they were impacting each other’s lives. Through discussions regarding the “Year of the Water Dragon”, with a focus on empathy and patience, we decided there was enough interest to proceed with the Dragon Project. We observed the children role playing a baby dragon hatching out of its egg and that is how Sparkle was born.  Continue reading →

Clothing Rituals: Moving from Season to Season

Does your child have difficulty with change of clothing between seasons e.g. moving from boots to shoes, long sleeves to short, coat to just a tee shirt? This can be a common characteristic in children with Autism and those with sensory processing difficulties. It can be the result of tactile sensitivity; the child is particular about the clothes he wears, finds tags and seams itchy or irritating, may not like having his sleeves pushed up and likes only loose or tight clothing, socks and shoes or bare feet. Continue reading →

Inclusion Ideas Corner

At the Glen Cairn Co-op Preschool, picture cards are used in daily routines with all the children. After tidy up, some children are given a picture card of “hand washing” to give to the educator in the bathroom. This gives the child a task that helps keep them on track when going to the bathroom to wash their hands. After hand washing the children are given a snack picture card to give to the adult at the snack table. This strategy can be used to support many child care routines. Continue reading →