Why We Need Early Intervention
Month: May 2012
Teacher Appreciation Week: Thank You to All Who Change Lives
On this teacher appreciation week, let’s remind those special people in our children’s lives we truly appreciated for all you do. The lives you change and steer toward a better future. It is because of the hard work teachers put forth that scientists, artists, and all other professions have such successful individuals. Thank you for all you do!
Here’s some crafty ideas to show your teacher appreciation:
- Garden Pack: with “a teacher’s a gardener and this is so you’ll know we truly are grateful for helping ____ grow”
- Starbucks gift card: with “Thanks a LATTE”
- Burt’s Bee gift pack: with “Thanks for BEE-lieving in _____”
- Jamba Juice gift card: with “Thanks for sparking my creative JUICES”
- Flowers: with “Thanks for helping ____ bloom”
- Summer Survival kit: think pools and beaches
- Lotions and such: with “You are a god SCENT”
- Think creatively and remember the good teachers probably aren’t really money grubbers, they’d rather something have something thoughtful…why else would of they become teachers
- 😉
Challenges of Those with an Emotional Disability
There are many issues that arise while working with children an emotional disability, but these children are a part of the classroom and our lives, so it is important to come up with a plan for success. Children with an emotional disability are individuals like all children, so each child will be different and should be treated as such. It is important to evaluate the individual child and come up with the best game plan.
Some issues to look for can be:
- impulsive behaviors
- irrational decision making
- poor social skills
- blurting out inappropriate comments
- lack of attention in children with emotional and behavioral disorders.
- not easily being able to transition from one activity to another
- yelling instead of talking
- use of inappropriate language like swear words
- unable to sit still can often be found in children with emotional and behavioral disorders
- staying on task
- rude/crude behaviors and actions toward others and themselves
- tunnel vision fixation
In order to help these children succeed, try:
- Use of good multidisciplinary techniques can get help children overcome these behaviors
- have children work with their peers to come up with a game plan and hear new ideas
- behavior point system with reward
- time out room if needed
- constant praise to reinforce good behavior
- make goals minimal so they can feel success
- basic pacing of activities
- one to two step directions
Children with an emotional disability can have difficulty in school and at home. By using a couple of the techniques listed above, children can get the help necessary to succeed within the classroom and home environments.
Dance Therapy: Helping Individuals Connect
Educational Purpose of Dance Therapy:
- Promote social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development
- Improve mental health through a healthy body
- Increase self-discipline, cooperation, and confidence
- Develop cultural understanding
Activities of Dance Therapy:
- This is used for self-expression, communication, and group interaction
- The teacher needs an understanding of (not a mastery in) energy, weight, time, tension, space, and flow
- Children will need an open area to dance in as well as comfortable clothes to move around in. To accommodate this in the classroom, a limited number of children can dance while others engage in a related activity
- Ask “what” questions that evoke the children interpretation
Assessment/Accommodations:
- Muscle tension and rigid movements can be a sign of stress and emotional triggers by physically getting these out it will help the mental state
- Teachers can grade how this technique is working by student’s cooperation and how the class dynamics are before and after
