A Problem Solving Activity

Next time you and your child are faced with a problem, try this out! Take out a large piece of paper and a marker and tell your child you are going to do some important work.  Children love to be involved with making lists and writing words.  It makes them feel very grown-up. Write down Read More

My Favorite Things: Homemade Play Dough

Next time there’s a snow day (or sick, rainy, “I’m bored” day), be prepared!  Keep the ingredients in your pantry and you’ll always have a project. Homemade Play Dough 1c Flour 1Tbsp Oil 1c Water 1/2c Salt 2Tbsp Cream of Tartar Food Coloring of Choice Mix all ingredients except food coloring in a pot. Nonstick Read More

Quitting: When Is It Okay?

Young children begin taking formal “lessons” in activities for a number of reasons:  Mom or Dad thinks it’s a great idea, the child has expressed interest, friends are participating, they liked the leotard or karate outfit, etc.  Most of the time these activties are wonderful and children thoroughly enjoy them.  But what happens if your Read More

Plan to Play: Tell A Story

Recently,  I wrote an article for a website about preparing young children with special needs for mainstream kindergarten.  Needless to say, this had me thinking about the skills I would hope all children entering kindergarten would have.  Before entering kindergarten, most 4-5 year olds should have the ability to speak in sentences, understand the sequence of story, Read More

My Favorite Things: Kids Play Tent

In the season of beaches, parks, picnics and outdoor activities, having a safe spot for your children to play is essential.  The Sun Smarties Play Anywhere Play Tent is one of my favorites.  First and foremost, the tent has UPF 30+ which is so important when playing outside.  The tent is incredibly easy to open Read More

Social Skills for Mainstream Kindergarten

I recently came across an incredibly supportive group for parents of children with sensory processing disorder.   On the website, The SPD Blogger Network explains its purpose: “This group blog is designed for those writting – or those who want to write – about raising a child with Sensory Processing Disorder or sensory issues (that Read More

Plan to Play: The Animals on the Bus

For most children, farm animals are a standard toy chest item. Two of my favorites are Soft Touch Baby Farm Animals and Aurora My Barnyard Friends Carrier with Sounds. For a barn and animal set, the Fisher Price Little People Animal Sounds Farm is a favorite! The problem is, one can only play with animals Read More

“Special Needs” Products for Everyone: Bubble Bear

Have a bubble lover in the house?  Pustefix Bubble Bear is a great product for children of all ages and abilities.   For babies, blow the bubbles so that they can track  with their eyes and reach out with their hands.  Toddlers love running to catch bubbles with different parts of their body.  As toddlers become 2s and Read More

A Special Educators’ Bag of Tricks

One of the first things any child receiving special services will learn to say, whether by signing or speaking, is “open bag.”  Special service providers (occupational, speech, feeding, and physical therapists, as well as special educators), come to work in homes and schools with a literal bag of tricks.  We bring novel materials to excite Read More

My Favorite Things: Discount School Supply

Parents, grandparents, educators, caregivers……get out your pad and pen, or bookmark this site, now!  Discount School Supply is a find!  This fantastic website has everything from games to art supplies, infant toys to bikes to products for children with special needs (many of which I use with typically developing children as well).  The prices are right and Read More