Pot lucks are a wonderful way to bring people together, to experience new foods, enjoy good conversation, and to make time to connect in otherwise busy lives. At CISS we celebrate important life milestones by organizing pot luck lunches before some of our monthly staff meetings. Prior to these events, information regarding individual dietary needs is identified to assist in the planning of food choices. As any host knows this is the most important step to ensure a successful outcome! Continue reading
Category Archives: Educators / Providers
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
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
All Aboard with Robbie
Robbie’s journey began on June 21, 1995. He was born a healthy baby boy, 8 lbs 8 oz with beautiful red hair. It wasn’t too long afterwards that we saw signs that Robbie’s travel through life would have road blocks both developmentally and medically. Robbie was diagnosed at Child Development Services (CHEO) in September 1996. This stop lead Robbie to Infant Stimulation, occupational, speech & physiotherapy as well as Children’s Integration Support Services. Robbie is now a handsome young man with global delays along with various medical concerns.
The Bead Counter, it Worked for Us
At the Centre éducatif les petits pinceaux, we had a chance to implement several strategies recommended by the behaviour consultant, Jocelyne Desbiens, from Children’s Integration Support Services (CISS) through the Positive Outcomes Program (POP). We implemented the bead counter strategy to support skill development and positive reinforcement of children.
The Concept
The bead counter is a set of beads strung on a thread which slide freely from top to bottom. Each and every time the child moves a bead, he/she is reminded and praised for the desired behaviour.
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