Lighthouse Project
for Individuals with Unique Learning Needs
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Lighthouse Project for Individuals with Unique Learning Needs |
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How can we teach our children that Christmas, Hanukah and other holiday celebrations are times for generosity, not greed?
In whatever way you define the holiday season, if you want your children to have the true holiday spirit, you need to display a good example of that spirit yourself. Model the spirit of generosity and giving that you would like to see in your children. If we want children to view the holidays as a time of giving and loving, then we must demonstrate giving and loving behavior in ways that they can recognize and understand.
One way is to engage your children in activities that demonstrate what you believe to be the true spirit of the holidays. Spending the holidays serving meals at a homeless shelter, donating canned goods to a food drive, and visiting the elderly in a nursing home are all ways to show your children that giving is what the holiday season is about.
Of course, your children will also receive during this season, so it is important to help them to learn to receive graciously, too. Teach the traditional reasons why we exchange gifts during the holidays.
You encourage them to use their imaginations, and you teach them about limits. For older children, it is reasonable to tell them what dollar amount you plan to spend and let them choose within that budget.
This is the perfect time of year for children to go through their toy boxes to select things they don’t use anymore. Ask your child to choose one or two toys that are still in good condition to donate to a shelter or even buy a new toy for a toy drive. Parents can explain that they will soon be receiving new toys, and it feels good to share toys with children who might not have many.
It will be difficult to maintain the holiday aura of loving generosity if you allow yourself to become stressed about gift giving or become involved in arguments about trivial matters. Avoid unnecessary arguments about such things as who is going to cook the holiday feast. By modeling the spirit of the holidays at all times being joyful, generous and loving you are modeling those behaviors for your children.
Finally, when planning how you will be generous during your holidays, don’t give the impression that your children should limit their activities to the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years. Show them the holiday spirit all year long. Those in need require hope, encouragement and good thoughts all through the year. Happy holidays to you and your family!
This article was taken from Dr. Sal Severe's new book, "How To Behave So Your Children Will, Too!" For more information about Dr. Severe's book or workshops call 1-800-866-5208 or visit his website at http://www.howtobehave.com
In our modern day world, we have enriched our childrens’ lives with remote controls, point and click technology and, mean while, many of the muscles for handwriting, reading and attention have not been used and waste away as the holidays approach, we’d like to take a minute and remind you of some games you may have forgotten about that can support better social and academic performance AND your kids will LOVE them!
Resources for these products include: Oriental Trading Company, Diddams, Wooden Horse Toy Store, Imaginarium, Learning Express
A clarification
In 1997, the IDEA was reauthorized to help clarify the role of special educational services for children. The reauthorization stated that public agencies should ensure that teachers and providers are informed of their specific responsibilities related to implementing the child’s IEP and the specific accommodations, modifications and supports that must be provided for the child in accordance with the IEP. Many parents will say something like, "The school said Bob can’t have extra time on the math test or it wouldn’t be fair to the other students." An accommodation is an intervention provided to allow equal access to the curriculum and to allow a child an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of performance standards. One example of an accommodation is glasses. Would anyone claim it gives a child an unfair advantage if they wear glasses to see what’s written on the board? Accommodations do not fundamentally alter or lower standards or expectations in either the instructional or assessment phases of a course of study.
Modifications do alter or lower standards or expectations. An example of a modification would be giving a 5th grader math that is standard for a 3rd grader as the 5th grader hasn’t mastered math facts at the 3rd grade level yet. Modifications are changes in course content, teaching strategies, standards, test presentation, location, timing, scheduling, student responses and other attributes that provide access for a student with a disability to participate in a course/standard or test. A modification is a change in the above that DOES fundamentally alter or lower the standard or expectations of the course/standard/test.
More information on accommodations and modifications can be found on the internet at ldonline.com.
We will be offering both new and favorite groups at The Lighthouse Project this winter. Enclosed in the newsletter is a calendar for your convenience. We hope you’ll find a place for your child to come and develop their skills in a caring, professional environment. If you are interested in any of the courses, please fill out the registration form below and return it to our office. Many of our families were disappointed this fall when the courses filled so quickly so call right away. Pairs are established when social development and sensorimotor goals between two children are similar. Because of the extra time involved in setting up pairs and groups, groups and pair fees remain the same as individual sessions in most cases.
All our small groups are intensives – children make substantial progress in short amount of time. We use a strong therapeutic, sensorimotor method to accomplish these results and, perhaps more importantly, use fun, purposeful activity to engage students and increase carryover to home. On occasion, class start dates may change (be moved back) due to schedule conflicts of enrollees.
HWT I – Printing – this class is for 1st and 2nd graders and includes hand development, directionality, attention to seated tasks and letter formation. Meets 9 sessions, first session for parents and 8 sessions for students. Fee: $800. Based on Handwriting Without Tears
HWT II- Cursive – this class is for 3rd and 4th graders. Focus is on hand development, should strength/endurance, letter formation and strategies for focused attention for seated tasks.
Meets 9 sessions, first session for parents and 8 sessions for students. Fee: $800 Based on Handwriting Without Tears
HWT III Sci – Written expression/organization skills for organizing and writing Science Reports in under 10 minutes! Fee: $800
HWT III LA – Written expression/organization skills for organizing and writing paragraphs – a page in under 10 minutes! Fee: $800
FRIENDS – Social skills develop when we engage in activities that are socially rich, intrinsically motivating and meaningful. A group of 4 allows students to succeed. Friends2 is for 1-2nd graders, Friends3 is for 3-4th graders. Fee: $800
LIFESKILLS – Social Skills for girls and boys to address issues for preteens such as how to invite a friend out to a movie, how to accept an invitation, how to initiate conversations, grooming and hygiene, and more. One group for girls, separate group for guys. Fee: $800
RECESS- How to play at unstructured time such as recess is the bane of many a child with learning disabilities. This group shows you how. For students in 5th/6th grades. Fee: $800
HOMEWORK FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL – Organization skills, note taking, "cramming" skills, how to turn in your homework, reading for comprehension and test taking. Fee: $800 HOMEWORK FOR ELEM. SCHOOL –– Organization skills, study skills, how to turn in your homework, reading for comprehension and test taking, understanding the assignment. Fee: $800
Donate a turkey to a homeless shelter.
Encourage your child to do favor for an elderly neighbor like make and deliver cookies and take the time to visit over tea and cookies.
Ask your children to help you wrap presents and think about what gift wrap the recipient may enjoy.
Encourage your children to call Grandma and Grandpa just to say, I love you or to make a picture, frame or other personal item for them.
Make sure your children send out thank you cards for gifts, parties, long-distance calls and any small kindness.
Before your holiday dinner, hold hands and have each person tell something for which they are thankful.
Read a Holiday story together, to be mindful of the true meaning of the holidays.
Child’s name _________________________
Home Address ________________________
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phone _______________________________
Please enroll my child in the follow course. I understand you will call me to confirm enrollment. ___________________________
_____________________________________
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50% deposit due before first day of class with balance due at the midpoint of the program.
All 8 week courses have a parent evening and 9 sessions are allocated for the course.
Balance: Establish a balance between homework and play: Make that transition from school to home eiaser. Offer a snack then play to time to get the body ready to concentrate on homework.
Organize: Make a plan and follow a routine homework schedule that works for your child Make sure your child knows what he needs (books, papers and handouts, markers, glue, posterboard, ruler) to complete the assignment and make sure those items are handy. Have a well equipped homework station.
Review: Go over the concepts of the homework assignment with your child to build patterns of follow-through. Remember, the purpose of homework is not to teach new material at home but instead to develop habits of review and synthesis of materials.
Prioritize: Make a plan and set priorities. Help your child determine how much time they'll spend on each subject. Use rewards (external motivators) to build internal motivation.
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