Environment Changes

Let's start this blog off with a chat.. I have always been changing 'something' in our home for the sake of easier access to better alternatives to safe play.

Wall of books:
- Sensory Seeker: loves the sight of favourite characters strung along a bare wall.. he previously showed us that the bare walls are a problem by drawing all over them!
- Sensory Avoider: loves this simple storage idea that is free from swiped off a shelf, scattered on the floor, and the minimal work needed to attain a storybook

Bookcases are climbing apparatus in worst case scenarios, best case scenarios they are cleared off and used as a display shelf and play area for trains.
Bins are routinely dumped and left as a mess for the noise it makes, it helps Seeker alter auditory perceptions.

There were few alternatives left! it has been nearly a week so far, and this stays up, and lined with books. I'm going to change the selection with the holidays or with our needs and interests so its also a good place to showcase what we are learning.. and aids in them looking at academic books at their own leisure.. and also for me to pick up on unspoken interests!

Learn to Dress.. Easy Peasy Closet:
- Sensory Seeker: is understimulated here, and has little need to explore unless looking for clothes. (being its his closet, Avoider isn't relevant here..)

Dressers are climbing apparatus in worst case scenarios, best case scenarios the drawers are emptied and filled with toys.
Closets are too high for him to reach on his own, and therefore become simple nuisances and messes. This is short, and easy for him to see all his things without climbing, or having to open doors to find things.

This didn't leave many options! He is fantastic and independent at undressing, however.. since he doesn't love to be dressed, he is lagging behind in getting dressed independently. His bins are clearly labeled so putting away laundry is a task we can easily do together; there is a mirror so he can see what he is doing, and can stay self-aware; some toys and posters to fill the empty space; last but not least, there are no hazards if he does decide to climb. The bottom bin is held up by picture hooks, and the curtain rod is spring loaded. The mirror has tape over the glass, and is nailed to the wall. His 'nicer' clothes hang above, and his everyday clothes are in easy reach.

Buoyancy for SK

I recently met up with a few ladies from the local homeschool group, and had a reality check. Despite the challenges to 'educate' and 'therapy' Mr. 'A' , I have something that not everyone gets to experience; a child designed for unschooling. We talked about our children's learning preferences, and what we are interested in doing with our kids, how they differ from one another, and the various approaches we want to try. It got me to thinking though, maybe I was handed an easy answer.

Bill Nye the Science Guy - Buoyancy

So today I got real about homeschooling with him. 

First thing I have wanted to teach him, is the scientific process of testing and tracking. He has invested so much time and energy into the act of science, but has always resisted any structure around it. He was playing with bowls of water, and little blocks. This can be rather messy, and typically we'd try to follow some ABA and redirect his actions in some way or another, clearly it hasn't been helping much. Instead I quickly cleared out all clutter, save for five objects to find out if they sink or float. I already know he is aware of buoyancy, and loves to experiment, but truthfully he seems scattered, so here I am introducing a systematic approach.  

By the end of the activity, he had really liked all the Bill Nye references I had made, and that I know more about what kind of teacher he needs me to be. It also cut back on the mess! Despite the simplicity of this activity, I do have to start somewhere, and work my way up to where I think he may be at in his mind. I hope that taking the scientific process seriously from the bottom up, will help him organize his thoughts in general.

Magic School Bus - Ups and Downs

Halloween brings mom some treats and tricks.

This was a fantastic year for our family, we had a small party with a few friends, and found something we all enjoyed about the festivities.

Gift of Curiosity

This site, has free holiday-themed printable resource packs for kids 2-7 years old and my new favourite resource for fine motor and early math and language skills. If you check it out, it is FANTASTIC

This autumn, puzzles have become a significant focus with 'A' and he loves it! currently working on 3+ year old puzzles, with 15 and 24 pieces. It also gives me the opportunity to observe and understand more on how he figures things out, so I can better help him along.

THE BEST PLACE FOR SPEECH DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES >> here

AN AMAZING AND VIBRANT PLACE TO GET BEHAVIOUR CHARTS >> here
A WEBSITE THAT WORKS WITH YOU TO WORK ON OT GOALS >> here
AN AWESOME PLACE FOR KIDS TO ASSESS or PRACTICE MATH >> here

As of late we have taken a very unstructured approach to our homeschooling, with so much on the go, and the weather changing, the boys have had needed some space to adjust to new routines, and juggle their wants to be indoors and outdoors. We have had many successes, and here are a few other resources we have been enjoying lately.

the Letter School app for the ipad

shanesh colours 'what's the expression' app for the ipad

Here, children are expected to match labels and facial expressions.

Leapfrog's Talking Words Factory - on dvd

The next video after 'Letter Factory', here they show how letters are put together to make words.

Rock-n-Learn - Multiplication Rap

In this video, multiplication table 0-12 is covered, as well as skip counting, and some trips for memorizing math facts.

Life Skills: Trailer!

These are the steps I take in every aspect of decision-making and trouble shooting daily living skills:

1. - test out sensory provocations (what is too much?)
2. - try out rewarding aspects, and discouraging aspects (how much of each is tolerable?)
3. - determine comprehension of tasks (receptive language style, retention)
4. - acknowledge/address health concerns (sensitivities)
5. - educate the child (purpose, consequences, benefits, supports)
6. - decide on motivational strategy (reward charts, etc)
7. - establish a time frame (note that mastery is a step by step process)

Daily life skills 

Teeth Brushing:

This is an ABA approach to brushing teeth >> chaining
The tools I am using are:

• - chattering teeth toy (for modelling, and desensitizing)
• - themed toothbrush (angry birds, thomas)
• - non-fluoride toothpaste
• - personal cup for rinsing
• - kids floss sticks
• - Dr. Seuss's The Tooth Book
• - educational videos for young audience, on the human body
• - electric tooth brush
• - supplements for maintenance and strength of tooth enamel
• - charts for tracking successes

So far, in using the steps noted above, and these tools, the oldest started having serious interest in tooth care after losing his first baby teeth, since then we have been focused on motivation and sensitivity. We occupy ourselves in the meantime by practicing on the toy, reading books, and working on handling the brush against his teeth. My little one, yet to lose his baby teeth and have adult teeth come in, is still desensitizing  to having anything near his mouth. He has a lot of interest in teeth so we will be exploring and reading/watching more about that over the coming months.

Other areas we are working on are toileting, bathing, pet care, chores, and playing together.