It is so unbelievable that we are already in May. Even more so that many States are still struggling with COVID19. As I write this, the news is reporting that in many States, lockdowns are easy up. Most programs that i know of are still closed. Here are some activities that can be done both in private homes as well as residential homes. Please continue to stay safe and healthy and continue to wash your hands (a lot)!

Download Here: May Habilitation Calendar

Coloring and Tracing Activity

Posted on April 12, 2020 by Special Needs Resource Blog

Did you know that the Easter bunny and Easter eggs dates back to the 18th century in the United States when Protestant German immigrants in the Pennsylvania Dutch area brought the European folklore of the Easter bunny giving gifts of colored eggs to “good children” before Easter.

This activity is both a coloring and tracing activity focusing on strengthening fine motor skills of children and adults. Green was the color chosen since it is a spring color and also helps to reinforce colors. Any shade of green will work in the color and additional colors should be added as well allowing for individual creativity.

Once completed the bunny can also be cut out and pasted on construction paper.

DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY BELOW:

color and tracing activity

10 Valentine’s Day Fine Motor Activites

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Special Needs Resource Blog

Here are some fun fine motor activities to do with your students. Children and adults with special needs often face challenges with coordination of the small muscles that affect writing, and grasping objects. These activities will help students both strengthen and maintain abilities in fine motor control and dexterity. For these activities, you will need the following supplies:

scissors
construction paper
glue or paste

50 Easy Valentine’s Day Crafts and Activities- From the Thrifty Kiwi

Brain-Building Valentines Activities– From Integrated Learning Strategies

Heart Bunny Rabbit Craft– From Crafty Morning

Valentine’s Day Fine Motor Activity– From No Time For Flash Cards

Valentine’s Day Fine Motor Activity– From The Resourceful Mama

Valentine’s Day Fine Motor Activity for Preschool– From Pre-K Pages

Valentine’s Day Fine Motor Sparkle Craft – From The OT Toolbox

Valentine’s Day Tree Paper Craft– From Housing a Forest

Valentine’s Day Scissor Cutting Practice Tray– From I heart Crafty Things

Valentine Heart ORCA Whale Craft- From Crafty Morning

February Day Habilitation Activity Ideas

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Special Needs Resource Blog

February has arrived!! here in the northeast, it is seasonably warm , but still the month known for groundhog and valentine’s day. The following are February observances, celebrations, events, and holidays that can be used as ideas for your Day Habilitation Program.

Keep in mind the following when planning activities for individuals with special needs:

People with intellectual/developmental disabilities are more likely to learn when using a multi-sensory approach which includes engaging people on all levels where they are able to use some of their senses. For example a cooking activity should include, allowing individuals to see what they are doing, taste, smell, and touch, etc.
Make sure each activity is broken into small steps
Use continuous probing
Provide prompting strategies such as independence, verbal, gestural, hand over hand and physical prompting.
Allow extra time to complete the task
Give immediate feedback including praise.

Free Skip Counting by 5″s Worksheet

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Special Needs Resource Blog

Learning to skip count helps students in many ways including seeing patterns in numbers and preparing students for more complex math skills including adding, subtraction and multiplication. It ialso helps students to learn how to count forward and backwards develop entry levels skills to developing money management skills.

Use the worksheets below to practice skip counting by five’s

counting cherries worksheet

counting ice cream cones worksheets

counting sea shells

counting water bottles

counting stars

January Day Habilitation Activity Ideas

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Special Needs Resource Blog

Januay is considered the coldest month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The following are January observances, celebrations, events, and holidays that can be used as ideas for your Day Habilitation Program.

You can download the PDF format here:January Day Habilitation Activity Ideas

Keep in mind the following when planning activities:

People with intellectual/developmental disabilities are more likely to learn when using a multi-sensory approach which includes engaging people on all levels where they are able to use some of their senses. For example a cooking activity should include, allowing individuals to see what they are doing, taste, smell, and touch, etc.
Make sure each activity is broken into small steps
Use continuous probing
Provide prompting strategies such as independence, verbal, gestural, hand over hand and physical prompting.
Allow extra time to complete the task
Give immediate feedback including praise.

Identify Money Freebie

Posted on January 2, 2020 by Special Needs Resource Blog

Learn to identify coins is one of the first steps in learning to count and understanding money management skills. The following worksheets will help to reinforce the ability to recognize the various denominations of coins.

The lesson plan below is a helpful tool to reinforce recognizing coins. Children with intellectual disabilities and special needs learn best through visual demonstrations and pictures. Remember to allow extra time to complete the task and use simple directions.

Lesson Plan: Identify Coins

Objective: the Student will successfully identify coins

Performance Criteria: The student will identify the correct coin, 3 out of 5 trials

Materials Needed:

coin worksheets
actual penny, nickle, dime and quarter
pencil

Steps:

the instructor will use real coins and identify the coin to the student
the instructor will use one coin at a time, starting with the smallest demoninator
The instructor will pick up the penny and state, “this is a penny.”
The instructor will then ask the student to pick up the penny
The instructor will aske the student to describe the penny
The instructor will ask the student the value of the penny.
Once completed, the instructor will have the student complete the worksheet
The insstructor will continue with the rest of the coins.