Owner: LaurenWelle.com URL:http://laurenwelle.com Join Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:44:24 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: I am here in an attempt to reach out to parents with information about educating their children the best they can as well as provide resources that they can draw from for all kinds of fun things. Specializing in children with special needs Site statistics:Click here
Helping Children Play 2008-06-12 15:30:02 Some children have a difficult time playing with peers. A common problem that I see in the classroom is the child’s tendency to play alone. This tends to be “easier” for the child. They are not in a situtation where they have to communicate, which might be challenging for them if they have a speech [...] Read more:Helping
, Children
Alexandria Waterfront Festival 2008-06-10 22:01:48 Mark your calendars! The Alexandria
Chapter of the American Red Cross is sponsoring the Alexandria WaterfrontFestival
on June 14th and 15th. This weekend long event is full of entertainment for the entire family. Activities include arts and crafts, exhibits, ship tours, food, a craft tent, fireworks, a petting zoo, musical entertainment, amusement rides and [...]
Laurie Berkner- Children’s Performer 2008-06-09 22:47:45 Laurie Berkner’s music is being heard by young children at home and in classrooms around the country. I first heard about her from a parent of one of my students. We were learning about dinosaurs and she told me about a song called “We Are The Dinosaurs” by Laurie Berkner. The song is about a [...] Read more:Children
, Laurie
, Performer
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 2008-06-08 21:12:21 Characteristics of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder can appear in children before they are 7 years old. Typical characteristics include difficulty sitting still, problems paying attention and impulsivity. The cause is unknown although some researchers believe that people with AD/HD do not have enough neurotransmitters, chemicals that help the brain control behavior.
Based on these symptoms
Reading Social Cues 2008-06-07 17:07:15 A common challenge that I see in my class is the student’s inability to read social cues. Most often, this causes them to have difficulty forming successful relationships with other peers in the classroom. Communication between peers is important at this age and lays the groundwork for future relationships.
Children with language processing disorders [...] Read more:Reading
, Social
Cutting Activities 2008-06-07 00:05:56 Some children have low muscle tone in their hands. Lack of hand strength makes it difficult for them to cut. Other difficulties that children face with cutting is positioning scissors in a proper thumbs up position and using their non dominant hand as an assist.
Fun, engaging activities for children who are able to cut [...] Read more:Cutting
Clemyjontri Park- “Where Every Child Can Play” 2008-06-04 20:32:27 Clemyjontri is the largest outdoor recreational park in the United States that is designed to meet the needs of children with disabilities. Adele Lebowitz, a Fairfax County resident, donated her land in hopes of creating a park where typically developing children and those with a disability can play. This 2 acre park is wheelchair [...]
Getting Ready for Kindergarten 2008-06-03 21:27:33 Many of you have children will are getting ready for Kindergarten
in the fall. Listed below are some skills that children will be working on during the first quarter of the new school year:
Identifying words that rhyme
Matching words that begin with the same sound (ball and bat)
Saying the sound of the initial letter in [...]
Top Ten Hand Activities 2008-06-03 20:39:27 Some children have low tone in their hands and fingers. This causes the child to have difficulty with fine motor (small muscle) activities including writing, painting and cutting with scissors. To improve strength in the hands and develop a functional grasp on writing utensils try the suggestions below.
Place a piece of paper on an [...] Read more:Top Ten
Welcome 2008-05-20 18:56:23 Hello and welcome to LaurenWelle.com! I am here in an attempt to reach out to parents with information about educating their children the best they can as well as provide resources that they can draw from for all kinds of fun things. Take a look at my About page to find out more.
My [...] Read more:Welcome
Just Say “No” to W-sitting! 2008-06-13 15:23:32 You know the feeling you get when you hear fingernails running down a chalk board? You close your eyes, get the chills and possibly even shake? I get a similar feeling when I see children sitting in a W- position.
What is W-sitting and why is it harmful? W-sitting is one of many positions that children [...]
Communication and Your 2-3 Year Old 2008-06-16 16:02:46 Children between the ages of 2 and 3 experience a tremendous growth spurt in their language skills. By the age of 2 most children can follow simple commands and their vocabulary expands. Many children also begin to echo what they hear and begin to combine words in simple phrases.
By the age of 3, the child’s [...]
Potential Risk Factors of Autism 2008-06-17 20:54:48 A recent study noted in the American Journal of Epidemiology concludes that there are several potential risk factors that may lead to autism. These include birth before 25 weeks of pregnancy, a low Apgar score, breech birth and a parental history of disorders including schizophrenia and depression.
More and more children are being diagnosed with this disorder, in [...] Read more:Potential
, Autism
Therapeutic Horseback Riding- A Sense of Control 2008-06-20 09:35:29 Therapeutic horseback riding has been proven to be extremely beneficial for children with special needs. Children have an opportunity to improve their physical capabilities, cognition, social skills and emotional well-being. Participants even experience increased confidence and develop a better self-concept.
Horseback
riding requires flexibility, balance and posture. The horses movement causes Read more:Riding
, Sense
, Control
Frying Pan Park 2008-06-18 20:29:05 It’s the beginning of the summer. Are you and the kids getting restless at home? Take a trip to Frying
Pan Park. Kidwell Farm is Frying Pan Park’s 1930’s working farm. Visitors have a chance to meet animals including horses, chickens, peacocks, sheep, goats, cows and more. You and your family can also take a wagon [...]
Zac Browser 2008-07-03 13:36:51
Last week, my boyfriend approached me with what he said would be the perfect topic for a post on laurenwelle.com. He had read an article about autism in his favorite magazine, CPU, or Computer Power User. I know what you are thinking. Why in the world is there an article about autism in CPU? [...]
Activities for Rising Kindergarteners 2008-07-01 15:23:51 Many of you have asked me what your child is expected to know when entering Kindergarten. I have outlined some objectives in my post “Getting Ready for Kindergarten“. Below are some activities that you can do with your child to ensure success! Remember to pick activities that your child is able to do or is [...] Read more:Rising
Gross Motor Development- Ages 3-5 2008-06-30 14:31:29 Summer provides many opportunities for children to participate in gross motor activities. This includes taking trips to your neighborhood playground, going to the pool, riding a bike and playing sports. Activities that strengthen large muscles help children navigate surfaces, improve balance and posture, build stamina as well as confidence. Children who have upper body strength in their arms Read more:Gross
, Motor
, Development
The Importance of Structure and Routine 2008-06-25 19:58:13 Research has shown that behavior and the emotional well-being of young children improves with structure and a consistent daily routine. Children know what to expect and there are no surprises. Routine
s provide continuity and children feel safe and trust those involved in their day which promotes emotional stability.
Through routine, parents are able to provide a [...] Read more:Structure
An Opportunity for Play 2008-06-24 23:14:04 Are you having a hard time finding peers for your child to play with over the summer? I recently came across a pamphlet for a playgroup in the area.
Rene Hackney is a graduate of the doctorate program at GMU. Before graduate school she worked as a preschool teacher at the Country Day School in McLean. [...] Read more:Opportunity
“I Gotta Go!” 2008-06-23 16:39:08 Both you and your child need to be ready for toilet training to work. You know when you are ready to let go of the handy diapers, but how do you know if your child is?
Children show interest in potty training between the ages of 2 and 3. Suddenly they seem interested in the toilet [...] Read more:Gotta
Young Athletes Sports Camp 2008-07-17 16:15:25 Summer is almost over! Are you looking for another camp? You still have time. The Young Athletes Sports
Camp starts next weekend. The camp specializes in instructing children with special needs and their siblings, ages 3-7, in sports including soccer, basketball, baseball, bowling, putt putt and kickball. The camp also provides sensory activities including jumping on [...]
How To Read To Your Child 2008-07-16 12:49:51 Reading a story to your child can be challenging for both you and the child. Your child might be easily distracted, not appear to be involved in the story, and seem bored. You may feel like you are at a loss and do not know what to do to make this an enjoyable and educational experience. [...]
Slant Boards 2008-07-15 13:23:23
Some children who have difficulty writing, painting and drawing may have low tone or muscle strength in their upper body. This leads to a lack of control and makes fine motor activities challenging. Using an upright surface often helps these children gain control of their arm and encourages better posture and positioning. If your child is having difficulty writing while at [...]
Jammin’ Java- Live Children’s Music 2008-07-08 16:36:13 A parent recently told me about Jammin
’ Java, a cafe and music venue located in Vienna, VA. I remembered visiting there years ago to listen to live music. I remember the welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff and good tunes. Come to find out, Jammin’ Java is also “kid friendly” and has live children’s music Monday through [...] Read more:Music
, Children
Important Information for the Upcoming School Year 2008-08-01 15:47:25 Can you believe August is almost over? The beginning of the 2008-2009 school year is just around the corner! I have attached some important information for those of you who have a child attending preschool or Kindergarten in Fairfax County so that you can begin to prepare for the first day of school.
2008-2009 School
Year Calendar
Back to School [...] Read more:Upcoming
, Important Information
Hearing Loss and Cochlear Implants 2008-07-31 14:21:50 Hearing is directly related to the development of learning, speech, language and communication skills. If you are concerned about these areas of development, it is possible that your child might have a hearing loss.
There are several types of hearing loss including mixed, unilateral and sensorineural. Today I am focusing on sensorineural hearing loss which takes place when there is [...] Read more:Hearing
, Cochlear
, Implants
Feeling Sorry for Savage 2008-07-29 21:13:20 Michael Savage
, a radio talk show host, made a fool of himself on air last week, claiming that autism is a fraud. He stated that in “99 percent of the cases, it’s a brat who hasn’t been told to cut the act out”. Is this man insane? It has taken me a few days to gather myself [...] Read more:Feeling
Kindergarten Social Story 2008-07-24 15:57:58 Having a child who is about to enter Kindergarten
is a very exciting experience. Your child is growing up and will be starting one of the most important and memorable years of their life. I am sure that you might also be anxious. Your child will be going to a new school, will have a different daily routine than [...] Read more:Social
Autism Support Class in Northern Virginia 2008-07-23 16:07:40 Autism Society of America, NorthernVirginia
Chapter, ASA-NV
The ASA-NV offers a support group for parents who have children with autism. Topics include the rights of the family, recent research about autism and information about related disorders. ASA-NV also produces a monthly newsletter containing articles, personal experiences and information about upcoming meetings and seminars. Members Read more:Autism
, Support
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