We live in an unprecedented time. Information and research on mask-wearing and its impact on child development are limited. To be frank: there is almost none. As new information trickles in, parents and adults working with children have to make the best decision based on the information at hand at the time, even if we wish we had more information to better guide us.
Continue readingAs resource consultants, one of the supports that we provide to programs is equipment for inclusion in the classroom. Some of our most commonly used items are alternative seating options for circle and group time activities. Group time can be challenging for children who may have trouble staying still, difficulties concentrating, or limited ability to wait. They may also have challenges processing sensory input such as the classroom noise level or the proximity of others.
Why use flexible seating?
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If a person can be in love with a book, then I’m in love with The Canadian Kids’ Guide to Outdoor Fun. It reminds me of my childhood, of summers spent building forts, creating a kids’ only clubhouse, lots of nature hikes, inviting neighbours over to watch a play, doing science experiments, playing games and outdoor cooking. The book also has many modern twists on “how to”. For example, how to preserve a spiderweb, how to stay safe in the woods, how to whistle on a blade of grass and how to make a watermelon pizza.
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The Choiceworks app is an excellent app that can be used for establishing visual schedules for children who struggle with transitions and multi-step tasks. It can also be a great visual tool helping children calm down when they are upset. Users can create an unlimited number of schedules from a large collection of images. The app also allows users to create a visual wait screen and offers the child choices regarding what they can do while they wait. The app is perfect for children who need help adapting to a schedule, managing time or improving patience. It is easy to use and relatively inexpensive. It has been my “go to” app when I worked as an Educational Assistant and I continue to use it as an ECE. Recommended for ages 3+.
Jennifer Johnson, RECE
Carleton Memorial Daycare
Join Tereza Fitzsimmons, Inclusion Facilitator with Children’s Inclusion Support Services to learn more about toilet learning.
As the back-to-school preparations are ramping up, parents are thinking on how to best prepare their child for school. Parents all wonder how their little one will fair off. We secretly hope that everything we have done for them since birth will have given them the tools needed to continue to grow, learn and be ready for school.
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Iris the Dragon is a Canadian charity, based just outside of Ottawa. Their mission is to facilitate social inclusion for those living with mental health disabilities, and to improve mental health and wellbeing for all.
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Preparing for the new “post-pandemic” return will be a challenge for all of us, kids and grownups included. Imagine for a second the additional challenge it poses for a preschool child learning English as a second language or presenting with a speech and language delay. Help preschoolers better understand the new routine, respect the physical distancing measures and, facilitate this transition by adopting key communication strategies:
As your child enters school, it is important to consider eating out of a lunch box as part of his/her school readiness skills. Learning to eat from a lunch box requires practice just like any other skill as your child needs to learn what to eat first, how to manage various containers and how to tidy up afterwards.
