Is There a Child with Special Needs in the Classroom?

 

This post was written as a contribution to the Living Life Special Blog Carnival. The participating bloggers are sharing their experiences in parenting or teaching children with special needs.  Also included are posts on how to educate others about special needs.

One year, I had a boy with autism in a wheelchair in my Kinder classroom. He had an aide. As nervous parents and children entered the classroom for the first day of school, Mason screamed and used repetitive language to let us know he was not comfortable in his new setting. 

Photo by Tiaras and Bowties

 

Some parents complained to the principal and wondered how I could teach with a disruptive child in my classroom. The parents were escorted out of the room and led to a Boo Hoo Breakfast where they were assured that everything would be fine and learning would happen. Eventually, we all adjusted and were blessed to have this child with special needs teach us some things – especially about ourselves. Children helped push Mason’s wheelchair, parents were genuinely concerned about his well-being, and learning occurred for all of us on many levels.

I learned that children are much more accepting of other children regardless of any differences. In fact, they don't notice, or care about, many of the differences that adults notice. It is always interesting to me to see which children will help children with special needs. These will be the future doctors, nurses, social workers, teachers and volunteers.

How Can You Help?

• Talk with children about Special Needs when the child is out of the classroom for therapy or when you are alone with your own child. What do we mean when we say "kids with special needs?" This means any child who might need extra help because of a medical, emotional, or learning problem. These children have special needs because they might need medicine, therapy, or extra help in school.
• It is important to not be overly helpful when no help is needed. Children with special needs like to be as independent as they can be.
• Some children might think it is not fair that a particular child gets to go with another teacher for play therapy, speech, occupational or physical therapies. Explain that they need extra help in some area. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses and we all need help with something and we all need friends.
• Tell the children that if a special needs person is being teased or bullied, to make sure an adult knows.
    

How Can Children Help?

• A blind child may need help carrying books.
• A child in a wheelchair may need someone to push the chair.
• A child with Down Syndrome might need a friend to play with at recess or sit with at lunch.
• A child with autism might need a good listener.
• An emotionally disturbed child might need a good role model.
• A depressed child might need a hand to hold.

We all need friends who are understanding, patient, forgiving, offer encouragement and are good listeners. Remember, it is important to listen and be supportive in return.

Linked Books

That’s What a Friend is by P.K. Hallinan 

A Very Special Critter by Gina Mayer

Don’t Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability by Pat Thomas

Special People Special Ways by Arlene H. Maguire

Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis

The Seeing Stick by Remy Charlip

 "I'd rather spend the rest of my life right here in Aibileen's cozy little kitchen, having

her explain the world to me. That's what I love about Aibileen, she can take

the most complicated things in life and wrap them up so small and simple,

they'll fit right in your pocket." ~ Minnie in The Help by Kathryn Stockett

For a glimpse into Kindergarten, see my book: Kindergarten: Tattle-Tales, Tools, Tactics, Triumphs and Tasty Treats for Teachers and Parents. Do you need playful, inexpensive learning activities for your preschooler? Let us help save your sanity, one easy project at a time: The Happy Mommy Handbook: The Ultimate How-to Guide on Keeping Your Toddlers and Preschoolers Busy, Out of Trouble and Motivated to Learn. Also available on Barnes & Noble and Kobo. Both have been no. 1 Bestsellers on Amazon.

Be sure to check out the other amazing bloggers who
are contributing to the Living Life Special Blog Carnival.

Living Life Special: Teaching Children Compassion - Andie of Crayon Freckles recounts an encounter between her two children and a child with special needs.  Various activities are provided to help children develop compassion for others.

All Things Eyeron - Sylvia from Homeschooling Through Trials, Triumphs, and Tragedies shares a brief account of some experiences in the life of a younger sibling born into the family of a child with special needs.
 
From Boredom to Hyper-Focusing - Leann from Montessori Tidbits shares how special
needs includes children who are gifted, as they have their own special set of
needs that must be addressed on a daily basis.

Beating the Loneliness of Special Needs - Kim from Tiaras & Bowties explores the loneliness that can accompany children, especially those with special needs as they journey into young adulthood.  Don't miss these quick tips to help your child beat those feelings of exclusion and rejection while boosting self-esteem.


One Thing You Should Know- Kim from The Little Stories writes about a mother of a child with autism shares the one that that all of us need to know - the one thing that will show her we understand her child is important and accepted.

I Call You - Sandy from We Can Do All Things, talks about how having a child with special needs pushes a parent into action.  They quickly become not just a parent, but a therapist, medical researcher, teacher, advocate, and expert in their child's diagnosis.  They do things they never knew they could do, and be things they never knew they could do.

Fine Motor Leads to Fine Art - Debbie Clement is a children's musician/song-writer, illustrator, author, and public speaker.  The also spent 10 years as a Resource teacher for young children with special needs.  Her article for the carnival examines Fine Motor Development and shares supportive observations for children with special needs on that
topic.
Three Great Musical Projects for Kids of All Abilities - World music performer, DARIA shares 3 easy crafts including rain sticks, oceans drums and really quiet rattles for musical fun that also promotes creativity and positive self-expression. Inclusive musical fun perfect for the whole family or neighborhood! 

PBS Readathon 2012: Week 1 Books & Activities

You will own over 20 ebooks by joining MeMeTales.com. Then starting June 18th, for six weeks, a different set of themed books will be available for you to borrow during that week. The theme for Week 1 is Animals and there are three books you can borrow. These books will be available to read for free all week long. I have activities for each of the books. 

1. The Donkey and the Wolf is a match between brawn and wits. Which one wins? Read this story with your child about a donkey and a wolf to find out.

For free donkey clip art click here.

Comprehensive Questions

• What do you think will happen in this story?
• Which animal was smarter or more clever?
• How did the donkey trick the wolf?
• What did you like about this story?

Vocabulary Words

Gallop, pounce, limp, graze, thorn, hoof, clever, strength, relaxing, peaceful

Extended Activities

• Gallop, pounce, limp, kick, hop, jump, flex muscles then relax taking deep breaths and hold before releasing.
• Do above actions in patterns while counting to 5 or 10
• Read your free ebook The Boy Who Cried Wolf  to compare and contrast.
• Play "Pin the Tail on the Donkey." Children are blindfolded, spun around, and pointed toward the poster holding a tail with masking tape on the back. Reassure the children that the game is just for fun. I was surprised when children cried at my kindergarten Christmas party when we played "Pin the Nose on Rudolph." Some kids thought they were being laughed at when they pinned the nose far away from Rudolph's face. But games are good for teaching children to take turns, share, and have good sportsmanship.

The Donkey and the Wolf

See more at memetales

2. Five Little Ducklings

This rhyming book is wonderfully illustrated and helps to teach reading and counting. Look at each of the ducklings - they all have a little special something about them - the socks, the hat....

Why Rhyme? 
Children enjoy filling in the rhyming word. It is a natural step in reading to either memorize words, rhyme words, or sound them out. Give your child a clue to the first sound of the rhyming word if they need help. Praise them lavishly for their accomplishments.

Extended Activities 

• Print  at. In front of at, print different letters emphasizing the beginning sound to make the words fat, cat, hat, sat, mat, pat, bat, rat.
• Read your free ebook Alphabet for rhyming, letter recognition and sounds.
• Play hopscotch then help your child place the correct number of objects, such as rocks, on the number. Children will be learning through their senses of hearing, sight, and touch. 

Five Little Ducklings

See more at memetales

 3. The Lion and the Mouse

• Expand vocabulary by exploring opposite words: big/little, stop/go, up/down, huge/tiny, left/right, loud/quiet.
• Make My Animal Book. Encourage your child to draw their favorite animals. Underneath the animals, write the name of the animal or write whatever your child says. Slowly move your finger under the words as you read them to your child. Perhaps they can trace over some words making the reading/writing connection.Some children may be able to write their own animal stories with invented spelling or sounding the words out phonetically. Praise increases success.
• Play Follow-the-Leader making animal movements and sounds. Doing this in patterns helps promote math and reading skills. Encourage your child to think of sound, rhythm or movement patterns.

The Lion and the Mouse

See more at memetales

How Can I Read these Books?

You can have access to over 20 free ebooks right now by creating an account on MeMeTales.com only once.Then read together on your preferred platform of computer or apps for iphone/ipad, Android  or Kindle Fire. The books should be available on Nook soon. The PBS Readathon 2012 books will be available June 18th with weekly themes. For more information and to join click: How Do I Participate in Readathon 2012?   

Pinterest Addresses for More Activities:

MeMeTales

Animal Book Activities

Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers (Susan Case)

For every child joining the Readathon, MeMeTales is donating a meal to send a hungry child to school via FoodForEducation.org. Want to help? Tweet using hashtags #readforgood, #MeMeTales, and #kidslit. 

There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all. ~Jacqueline Kennedy

To help your child maintain their literacy skills, click on PBS Reading Games. For more free educational games, see my right sidebar under "Kids Free Educational Links." For a glimpse into Kindergarten: see my book.

I love comments and will follow.

Disclaimer: I will be receiving the featured books and in exchange I’ll be sharing activities and ideas related to the theme of the week as well as promoting this program.

Mothers Need Me-Time Pampering Too

Did you know it is all right to sometimes take the biggest piece of chicken so that you have energy for another day of heroic tasks? You've been busy all day being your child's teacher, mother, role model, referee, guide, cook, and housekeeper while you've changed diapers that smell and look suspiciously like someone ate something they shouldn't have put in their mouth. You are supposed to be a walking encyclopedia full of answers to so many mind-boggling questions - from simple to so complex you wonder if anyone really knows the answers. Maybe you even went to work all day. Do you feel like you are holding on by your fingernails while no one is paying attention to you? Now self-pampering is required to prepare you for the next day of monumental and seemingly unappreciated tasks.

How to Build Self-Esteem in Young Children

Recently, Katie,  Mommy with Selective Memory, confided in me an incident which made her wonder if she was doing enough to boost her child self-esteem and confidence. Katie posted about how to Boost Self-Esteem by Displaying Art Work where she offers wonderful suggestions on displaying children’s art. But Katie was facing yet another child-rearing dilemma:

A MOM'S DILEMMA

We bought my daughter a beautiful yellow dress last weekend. It was really supposed to be for Easter, but she looked so pretty in it that I let her wear it all day. I must have complimented her about 100 times that day with things like:

"You look so pretty in yellow!"

"I love that color on you!"

"Do you know how pretty you are?"

And on and on and on. I was really just talking out loud, but every time I said something nice, she grinned and basked in the admiration. The next morning when she woke up, she wanted to wear the yellow dress again. I hesitated. She really shouldn't wear the same dress every day. Plus, I didn't want it to get dirty since I wanted to save it for Easter.

I told Munchkin that she could wear her pink dress instead. I was surprised when she immediately dissolved into frantic tears. I had never seen her so upset. She usually doesn't throw fits and this fit was clearly not for show; she was genuinely heartbroken. My first reaction was impatience. We needed to get to school and I needed to show her that she can’t have her way simply because she throws a fit. Fortunately though, I took a deep breath and sat down in front of Munchkin and made her look at me. I asked her calmly why she was so upset. It took about three minutes for her to stop crying and really answer my question.

"M-m-Mommy," she said with a quivering lip. "I don't look pretty in pink. I only look pretty in y-y-y yellow."

Ooops. Apparently all my compliments had the opposite effect than I had intended. Instead of boosting her self-esteem, I had unintentionally made her self-conscious about her looks. Visions of a unruly teenager with pink hair and a lip ring flashed through my mind.

I realized that I needed to do a better job at building her self-confidence in ways that have nothing to with how she looks. I asked Susan for advice.

Photo from The Butterfly Site

A TEACHER’S PERSPECTIVE

Katie is a very dedicated parent who wants to do everything possible to help her children learn through playful activities and to be the best that they can be. It is not easy being a parent, nor is it always easy being little. The following ideas will help build her children’s self-esteem and confidence - the metamorphosis of a child from a caterpillar into a butterfly.

WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR CHILD’S CONFIDENCE

1. Focus on your child’s strengths making them feel special, important, and wanted. Every day, give them compliments and hugs and tell them you love them. The most precious words will then be heard by you, “I wuuvv u, too.”
2. Focus fifteen minutes a day per child of interrupted one-on-one time. Great results may be seen with only fifteen minutes of uninterrupted concentration on a child. Then they may have the desire and confidence to play/work/learn on their own giving you some down time. Turn off the phone, or put it on silent, so that it won’t be disruptive to your child’s special time. Adults can usually wait awhile for your text or email responses.
3. Help your child develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. Let them get their own drink and snacks by putting them in reachable places so they can learn some independence skills. Common sense is needed but children are capable of accomplishing many tasks with encouragement, patience, and praise. Talk about solutions to problems. If you don’t know the answer to one of their numerous questions, tell them: “I don’t know. Let’s find out together.”
4. Stay positive with your child. Don’t compare them to others. Every child is different with their own strengths and personality. Focus on what they can do and provide challenges and opportunities that are appropriate for their level of development. Your child’s sense of value is directly related to how you treat them and respond to their accomplishments. Family members are the most important people in the world to little ones.
5. Provide choices such as, “Would you like to wear the green shirt or the yellow shirt?” If you are staying home, let them choose what to wear, or make as many choices as is reasonable. In Katie’s case, perhaps telling Munchkin many times that she looks beautiful in any color will solve the dress problem. Children do not care about labels in clothes, they just want to be comfortable, have fun, and feel good about themselves. Perhaps Katie could buy some inexpensive dresses in different colors at a thrift shop and put back the Easter dress for that special day. What little girl doesn’t like to dress up in mom’s old dresses, shoes and hats? Throw in a boa, old purse, and tea set and I bet Munchkin will feel beautiful and special for many hours of imaginative, creative  play.
6. Provide opportunities for your child to help and praise them. Use a sticker chart or draw happy faces on the calendar when your child has wonderful behavior or learns something new. Treat them to something special when the stickers or happy faces have accumulated to a pre-determined number. The best rewards cost little—except your time. Counting the stickers will reinforce math also. Or fill up a Marble Jar.
7. Help your child make a book, box or sack titled I Like Me! Include their letter scribbles, drawings, and photos. Print their words on the front or back showing that letters have meaning. Writing the date will help you realize how fast they are learning and developing. Re-reading their book will build confidence, vocabulary and the desire to create more art while they learn in the process Read the notes and book on days when you wonder: Who's child is this? What was I thinking? 

BOOKS TO BUILD SELF-ESTEEM
P. K. Hallinan is the author of 89 children’s books which have sold over 8,000,000 copies worldwide. They are beautifully illustrated and rhyme - which enhances reading skills. New and used copies of his books can be found on Amazon.

• How Do I Love You?  The lyrical meter and simple rhyme in this book are especially suitable for the toddler age. And the message is simple: Mom or Dad loves the child - no matter what.
• I Know Who I Am: Takes an insightful look at how self-worth is nurtured and what children can do to feel good about themselves
• I Know I Belong: Presents children with thoughtful examples of how to think about where they fit in their family and the bigger world.

BUCKET BOOKS

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? By Carol McCloud

Fill a Bucket: A Guide to Daily Happiness for the Young Child by Cathy Martin 
Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness by Carol McCloud 
How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath

What lies behind us and what lies before us
are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Help prepare your child for Kindergarten with Kindergarten: Tattle-Tales, Tools, Tactics, Triumphs and Tasty Treats for Teachers and Parents. Let Mommy with Selective Memory and me help you have more free time while teaching your child through playful activities with The Happy Mommy Handbook: The Ultimate How-to Guide on Keeping Your Toddlers and Preschoolers Busy, Out of Trouble and Motivated to Learn. Also available on Barnes & Noble and Kobo. The ebooks are only $3.99.

Let Children Experience Childhood.

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Activities to Develop Fine Motor Skills

Young children learn through Sensory/Motor Integration which means exploring and discovering using their five senses and movement. They enjoy manipulating interesting objects, textures and materials. Encouragement and praise will also lengthen time children spend on activities.This Fine Motor Skills video was generously offered to me by Katie from Mommy with Selective Memory.

Activities to Develop Fine Motor Skills:

• Pouring sand, water, salt, sugar, rice, or beans using bowls, funnels, spoons, cups, tubes, rolls, colander.
• Sorting small objects with interesting textures like cotton balls, pom poms, pastas, Legos, dominoes and shells, placing them into egg cartons or bowls.
• Pushing objects through a slot like pennies or buttons into a Piggy Bank or container with a slit in lid; pushing pegs into a board like golf tees into Styrofoam.
• Picking up marbles, pennies, or buttons and putting them in a jar . For variety and exercise, have child stand up and toss small objects into a box or sack.
• Building with blocks, Lincoln logs, Legos.
• Lacing with lacing cards – poking string through holes and pushing and pulling.
• Grasping wooden puzzles pieces and maneuvering into correct position.
• Picking stickers off page and successfully placing onto paper.
• Playing with Playdough and clay:  Pulling, pressing, stretching, rolling, pounding, squeezing, twisting, pinching.
• Squeezing glue bottles, water guns, sponges, large plastic tweezers.
• Beading necklaces made with pinwheel or tubular pasta or use large beads.
• Pushing pipe cleaners into holes in colanders or weave through baking cooling racks.
• Marking with fat pencils, crayons, markers, and sidewalk chalk.
• Cutting with child safety scissors. Opening and closing the scissors, as well as cutting, increases hand strength.
•  Arranging rocks, shells, leaves, sticks, cards, M&Ms, pasta, or whatever interests a child. Children enjoy sorting, then making a collection which can be labeled for a reading/writing connection. 
 

Children will sort objects with no encouragement because they are natural pattern seekers - trying to make sense of their ever expanding world. Sorting and Patterning give children a sense of stability and consistency as well as helps them develop reading, math and science skills.

To view the other Fine Motor Skills Videos, click 

Pouring Sand Video  and Playing with Pennies

 

For a glimpse into Kindergarten see my book. Would you like inexpensive ideas, activities, and games to teach your child through play? Mommy with Selective Memory and I can help save your sanity, one project at a time, with The Happy Mommy Handbook: The Ultimate How-to Guide on Keeping Your Toddlers and Preschoolers Busy, Out of Trouble and Motivated to Learn. Both have been number 1 bestsellers.