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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A letter from CISS Director:
Dear Child Care Partner,
As you prepare to re-open your program, CISS is here to support you. We were pleased to note that the Child Care Reopening Guide (page 7) excluded Special Needs support staff from the cohort maximums. This will allow for the possibility of re-integrating children with special needs as part of the first group back while ratios and numbers are lower.
Communication: The Best Strategy to Head Back to Daycare with (almost) no Tears
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:
Lunch Box Tips from an Occupational Therapist
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.
Social Stories for Going back to Childcare or School
As parents and educators, you might be wondering “How can I support and prepare my child or the children in my program to go back to childcare or school in a COVID-19 climate?”. A social story could be used to teach and familiarize children with new routines and expectations which could reduce anxiety and help keep everyone safe and healthy while at childcare or school. Continue reading
Creating a Calm Down Space at Home
Safe and Secure within Ourselves
SUMMER CHATTING: This summer, start talking and get children ready to succeed!
By Roxane Bélanger, M.O.A., SLP-C, Reg. CALSPO
Speech Language Pathologist, First Words Preschool Speech and Language Program of Ottawa and Renfrew County
We know this: language is the greatest predictor of a child’s success later at school and in life. Children with strong language skills do better with reading. At First Words, one of our key message for parents and educators this summer is to: “Talk to your child. All day. Every day” in order to help children’s language soar. With little set-up, these language activities can help you grow children’s speech and language skills – and get them ready for daycare, school or any post-pandemic routine!
From the CISS Resource Library – Chewies
CISS has many varieties of Chewies to support children who find chewing calming to their bodies or decreases anxiety. The sensory need of “chewing” helps regulate those with difficulty processing sensory input, and therefore needs an appropriate replacement form of chewing. It is important to provide safe alternatives that still meet the child’s need to chew.
“Chewing on clothing and other items is a common sensory need of children with autism or sensory integration disorder. Some children have mild chewing needs and others can really be serious biters, practically bending metal with their teeth. Though the heavy jaw work of chewing may help to relieve stress and calm, it can also be intrusive, and damaging at times.”
Funandfunction.com
