The week began with us all playing the Should I or Shouldn't I game. The challenging part of playing in a group with this game is accepting that other people have different opinions. We had to work through that with the older kids. We also spent time talking about our change in recess buddies. This was disappointing for some, but we primed the kids with who their new buddy would be and how it's good to practice meeting new people, getting to know others, and practicing change and being flexible. The other part of the week we read the social story and talked about our pool trip. We went over all the logistics and reviewed expected and unexpected behaviors. We also talked about how important safety would be walking over, in the pool and while changing. We discussed privacy and the options kids had to be private depending on how much help they may need.
The trip itself was a TOTAL blast. Ann, the paras, and I had a wonderful time. We stopped at each stop sign and crossing area and practiced referencing and checking for cars, how to cross a street, and how to be safe while walking. Then once inside, the kids did a wonderful job transitioning to their changing areas. We were able to split up our kids and had 2 staffers with them at each changing time. Girls and boys were in separate changing areas. Then everyone willingly put on their life jackets and got in. Everyone obeyed the boundaries we prepped them about and we stationed someone in front of the door to the diving area and someone in front of the doors to leave for the changing area. Then we had 4 of us in the water swimming and playing and one in the wading/water toy area. It worked out wonderfully and the kids were great about getting out when the timer beeped. When we returned we had lunch together and watched a little bit of Happy Feet. The kids were SPENT! It was a good test to see how tired or well they'd do with a pool trip. We learned the half day was perfect. They were so mellow and exhausted! I am thankful you allowed us to take them. It was awesome to share in their joy and watch them play together. Everyone was able to socialize and interact with each other. As Ann said, "it did our hearts good" to watch them be free and happy! :) Thanks again!
February 6, I will be attending an anxiety conference in Troy. The PTA has granted my mini-grant to pay for half of the conference. I'd like to thank them for helping me pay to go and learn about strategies we can apply to the kids at Lakewood. I will have the kids color some thank you cards that I will sign from myself and the program. I think this will be a great opportunity. I'll pass along what I learn for sure!
The trip itself was a TOTAL blast. Ann, the paras, and I had a wonderful time. We stopped at each stop sign and crossing area and practiced referencing and checking for cars, how to cross a street, and how to be safe while walking. Then once inside, the kids did a wonderful job transitioning to their changing areas. We were able to split up our kids and had 2 staffers with them at each changing time. Girls and boys were in separate changing areas. Then everyone willingly put on their life jackets and got in. Everyone obeyed the boundaries we prepped them about and we stationed someone in front of the door to the diving area and someone in front of the doors to leave for the changing area. Then we had 4 of us in the water swimming and playing and one in the wading/water toy area. It worked out wonderfully and the kids were great about getting out when the timer beeped. When we returned we had lunch together and watched a little bit of Happy Feet. The kids were SPENT! It was a good test to see how tired or well they'd do with a pool trip. We learned the half day was perfect. They were so mellow and exhausted! I am thankful you allowed us to take them. It was awesome to share in their joy and watch them play together. Everyone was able to socialize and interact with each other. As Ann said, "it did our hearts good" to watch them be free and happy! :) Thanks again!
February 6, I will be attending an anxiety conference in Troy. The PTA has granted my mini-grant to pay for half of the conference. I'd like to thank them for helping me pay to go and learn about strategies we can apply to the kids at Lakewood. I will have the kids color some thank you cards that I will sign from myself and the program. I think this will be a great opportunity. I'll pass along what I learn for sure!