There are plenty of opportunities for building fine motor skills on the playground, but tabletop play can be created in any environment! Exercising their hands with different objects can support motor and sensory development for children of all abilities.
In honor of #InternationalDanceDay, let’s invite our little ones to experience the joy of dance through Ballet For All Kids! Research has shown that movement helps children with special needs improve social communication and motor skills.
Supporting your child’s resiliency and self- esteem can often be a challenge, especially at this time of working and learning from home. Josan Callender, our friend, special education teacher and author, has shared a wonderful way for parents or caregivers to support learning and play at home.
Music is a great way to connect while being at home together! Laurel Terreri, board certified music therapist at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach, takes you through music, movement, and instrument-making, all from the comfort of your own home!
Today, we reached the homes of families from all over the world via Zoom and FB Live for our #GlobalDayofPlay! We are so grateful to the amazing artists, including Jason Mraz, who enchanted us with their performances and inspiring stories. As you can see, we all had a blast!
We are making music egg shakers and playing music together! Our Teens for Social Inclusion (#T4SI) will read the book, “Music Is” by Brandon Stosuy. Let’s make music together!
Gardening reduces stress and helps children cope with anxiety and frustration. Since we all might be feeling a bit of that, why not create a garden at home? Or bring a garden into your home with some fun, garden crafts for kids of all ages and abilities.
Our young friends love creating their own play spaces in different areas of the playground, especially underneath things! These fort-like spaces allow for creativity, independence, and sensory regulation. With this kind of freedom, imagination runs wild.
Let’s learn yoga! Limor Landau teaches classes that are aimed at infants and children with special needs, but are suited for anyone. It’s a wonderful opportunity for children to experience a warmer, more soulful approach to therapy.
As we are in the midst of our Stay-at-Home Learning, we recognize what parents and teachers are up against during this unique time. We appreciate all that they have accomplished. We invited one of our favorite teachers, Corky O’Rourke, to share some advice.
We are an international non-profit that creates play, dignity and social equity for children with disabilities through inclusive playgrounds and education programs that unite children of all abilities.
