Friday, July 31, 2015

Fun way to work on summer Social Skills/Peer Awareness!

Hello Friends! 

Raising peer awareness/increasing social skill is something to work on with your kiddos all year long.  Summertime provides opportunities for this, especially with kids who are enrolled in summer camp/programs.  In fact, social skills are often challenged here, as your kids are learning lots of brand new faces and names in a small amount of time and all at once! Soooo ... what a great time to implement some summer social activities that will aid this.  This may even be helpful to begin working on a couple weeks prior to the start of school.

I really like a lot of the Pancake Manor songs (their sound is easy and enjoyable for all).  I have included two video versions of the same song below.  I find that some of my clients who demonstrate shyness or social withdrawal/disinterest/sensitivity(especially kids on the ASD spectrum), benefit from this method.  

METHOD: With these clients, I will sometimes implement a peer awareness activity first using names paired with animal or fictional/cartoon characters.  I find that these clients are often more accepting of and willing to give visual attention/participation with animal/character pictures over pictures of actual people faces.  This is a "meet the child where they are" type of method.  Once your child is comfortable with this, begin to transition into using actual peer faces.  Depending on how sensitive your child is in this area, you may want to transition with one of the methods listed below:
  • Transition to peer faces by only adding in one peer face with each repetition of the song, keeping the rest of the song/activity the same as originally introduced (with animal/character pics).
  • Transitioning with peer faces, but have them more cartoon based ... then move little by little to actual face pics.
  • Transition by implementing 1 actual peer face (your child's actual peer) at a time.  This is if you are trying to work on specific peers in your child's life (neighbors, campers, family members, familiar persons, classmates, etc).  






The Name Song by: Pancake Manor
 (song version with animals/characters)










The Name Song by: Pancake Manor (song version with peer faces)









Have fun!

Jessica





Thursday, July 23, 2015

2015 Carolina Children's Charity Run/Walk Event!

Hey Everyone!

Below you will find info on an upcoming CCC (Carolina Children's Charity) event.  CCC is a local charity which awards financial grants to Lowcountry children with birth defects and/or childhood diseases from birth through 18 years of age. Awesome cause, awesome people! See below!

Jessica





ATTENTION FIREFIGHTERS, DIPLOMATS, FAMILY, FRIENDS & HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS…

CAROLINA CHILDREN'S CHARITY (CCC) WANTS YOU TO HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A LOWCOUNTRY CHILD!!!

Support CCC and our 2nd Biggest Fundraiser!!!

- Join us on Saturday, 9/26/2015 @ Hanahan Recreation Center - 3100 Mabeline Road.

- Run begins @ 8:30am and Walk begins @ 8:35am. Race day Registration begins @ 6:45am. **Arrive early**   Pre-registration is highly recommended.

- Team members can pick up their packets from 12pm – 6pm on Thursday, September 24th
   and from 12pm – 6pm on Friday, September 25th @ the Lowcountry Firefighter Support Team office
   6390 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29418.

- Participate in our 12th Annual 5K Run / Family Fun Walk. (Stroller and wheelchair friendly)
  Fast pace walkers (able to finish in under an hour) can participate in the 5K.

Invite your Family, Friends, Neighbors and Co-Workers
to participate with you.

- Register as an Individual or as part of a Team.

- Raise money to help Lowcountry children with Birth Defects and Diseases.

- Take the opportunity to meet CCC Diplomats and learn how your contributions help.

- Enjoy the Fun for children of all ages. We will have Refreshments, Live Music, Kid’s Activities, Face Painting, Fire Trucks, Clown, Mascots and more.                                           

- Make memories by joining in the fun and make a difference in the life of a child.

- Win a Prize. Prizes will be given to Runners, Walkers and Teams in several categories.

- Register @ www.cccrunwalk2015.eventbrite.com or send registration forms and checks to the CCC office @ 1064 Gardner Road, Suite 112B, Charleston, SC 29407.  Make sure your team members know to include the team name on all entries, so that you are credited for all participants. If you are forming a new team this year, please let Shannan know so she can include your team name on the online registration form.
            
- Call 843-769-7555 for more information or visit www.carolinachildren.org



ALL MONEY RAISED HERE STAYS HERE!

Monday, July 6, 2015

Man in the Can - The Life of a Dreamer (Autism Awareness)

Well, this got my heart! 

Patrick lost his job and both of his parents, but he never gave up on his dream. Here's a little smackeral of autism awareness and inspiration for ya! (click on the video link below) 

Keep on singing,


Jessica