Happy Holidays!

Posted on December 27, 2015 by specialneedsresourcetrainingblog

Special Needs Resource Blog will take a break during the holidays and will return Monday, January 4, 2016 with new information, tools and resources to post including more downloadable free tools and templates Monday thru Thursday. I am excited and look forward to sharing more resources with you in the new year.

Thanks to all of you for following my blog this year. Wishing you and your families joy and peace all through the holidays and throughout the new year. May the spirit of the holidays be with you throughout the new year. 🙂 🙂

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Posted on November 26, 2015 by specialneedsresourcetrainingblog

Pick-Up Sticks as a Training Activity for Staff

Posted on August 18, 2015 by specialneedsresourcetrainingblog

During my trainings, I often incorporate games that help staff understand from the point of view of a person with a disability. This is a fun and simple game

Providing ongoing sensitivity training for staff working with children with special needs and adults with developmental disabilities on a regular basis lessens the risk of staff losing sight of the specific needs of each person. One game that is fun and also allows participants to reflect is an old fashion game of pick-up sticks. This game has been around for centuries and is both inexpensive and fun. This game can be conducted during staff meetings or your next staff development day.

Purpose: Enhance staff sensitivity towards people with disabilities, specifically fine-motor skills, cerebral palsy, eye-hand coordination, intellectual disabilities and learning disabilities.

Learning Objectives: As a result of this training

Instructions: Participants will grab all of the sticks and quickly release his/her hand and allows the sticks to scatter. Each participant will proceed to pick up the stick one by one using the black stick with the non-dominant hand. If any of the sticks move, the game stops and the next person will attempt to pick up all the sticks.

Once the game is completed, Time should be given to discuss and reflect on the activity.
ask the participants how they felt.
Some of the feelings the presenter wants to encourage includes, frustration, slow, anger, and hopelessness.
Ask- What was the purpose of this exercise.
Some answers should include, to improve of understanding of what others are going through.
Discussion should include next steps including, increasing patience

Length of Training Session: 60 Minutes

Recommended Number of Participants: 3-15 people

Time: Allow each person 3 minutes to complete the task.

Materials: Pick- up sticks, timer

I purchases my sticks at a local stationary store however you can also purchase the pick-up sticks online. check out the resources below:

Resources

Century Novelty– $5.95

Jet.com-$5.52

S & S Worldwide – $5.49

Flag Day Activities

Posted on June 12, 2015 by specialneedsresourcetrainingblog

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14th as National Flag Day. While not a federal holiday it is observed in all fifty states.

Flag day is a great opportunity to help your child or student work on a number of areas including fine motor skills , counting and vocabulary. A simple activity such as painting. using just a regular paper plate and some store purchase star stickers, children will enjoy working on this fun activity.

A second activity; using regular pop sticks, children can paint and over their colors

I have also included a third activity which includes tracing the letter F, counting the number of stars, tracing a star, coloring a star and unscrambling words.

You will find this activity here. TRACE THE LETTER F