Our distance learning themes continue with more fun at home OT, PT, SLP activities—-and a sprinkling of old photos 🙂

This week we thought it would be fun to have a dance party!

 

 

 

 

 

 

SENSORY

A dance party has to have something to LISTEN to so pick out some music. A lot of our students love Kids Bop but there is a world of music out there—-maybe try something you haven’t listened to before! Does your child like it LOUD or SOFT? FAST or SLOW? What instruments do they prefer—DRUMS, GUITARS, HORNS?

Since it is a dance party, play with lighting—-dim the lights or turn them off completely and use flashlights, maybe put up some twinkle lights!

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR

Let’s make some paper chain party decorations! You will need paper of your choice—construction paper, notebook paper, wrapping paper, junk mail flyers etc. and tape, glue, or a stapler.

Start by cutting the paper into 2 inch wide strips. You probably want it to be at least 8-10 inches long.

 

For students who need assistance to use classroom tools: if you have a scrapbooking paper cutter, have your child help by pushing or pulling the handle. If you don’t happen to have one of those, sharply crease the paper and have your child help hold while you tear along the crease.

For students who are learning to use classroom tools: draw lines on the paper and ask them to “cut on the road”.

For students who are proficient with classroom tools: have them draw their own lines using a ruler.

Once all the strips are cut, begin assembling by joining one strip together to form a ring. Slide the next strip through the ring and fasten it into a circle. Continue adding strips until to have the length you want—-or run out of paper, whichever comes first 🙂

Drape your festive paper chain over the mantle piece, over bookshelves, pictures etc.

 

 

 

GROSS MOTOR

At the dance party, have a dance off with your child.  Take turns showing off your moves and then have the other person mimic them.  For students whom can independently move, they can move their arms, their legs, or their wheelchair.  It doesn’t matter, just move.

For students whom need more assistance with movement, move their arms with hand held assistance or push their wheelchair around in different directions (linearly-forward and back, rotation-clockwise and counter-clockwise, or adjust the tilt of the wheelchair).  Dance until you can’t dance any more.

Enjoy the party!

 

LANGUAGE

Here are some communication symbols that can be used during your dance party: Dance Language

• Have your child tell you what they WANT by giving them a choice of different songs or of different types of music.
• Turn the music off randomly and have your child tell you that they WANT MORE.
• Let your child decide when the music can GO and when it has to STOP.  Everyone freeze when the music stops.
• After a song is over, have your child let you know if they want to hear it AGAIN or if they want a DIFFERENT song.
• When a song is over, ask your child if they LIKE the song or if they DON’T LIKE the song.
• Talk about how the song sounds.  Is it FAST or SLOW?  Was it LOUD or QUIET

You can either keep all of the symbols on the single piece of paper, or you can cut the symbols out to hold them up to your child.  Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

 

 

LITERACY

We recommend reading this book from November 2013: Let’s Turn on the Jukebox!

 

Join us again next time for more fun and home learning—-Group by Group!

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