One thing some people have asked me about my plans for Over The Rainbow is whether it will be structured. I've explained before that our rules are gentle, and that children have opportunities to make their own choices and are not forced to do things that are upsetting for them. However, it is true that many children, especially those with special needs such as autism, need structure and routine in order to feel safe.
The answer is, yes, there will be structure. We will have a visual schedule, just like many preschool programs do, and the routine from day to day will be the same in many ways. A child may not choose to participate in part of the day... say, Music and Movement, for example... but he will still be able to know that this is what is coming next. He will know what his choices for that period of time are he could participate with the group, he could sit near by and watch, or he could look at a book or play with a toy on the other side of the room.
During "centers" time, children get to make their own decisions about how to spend their time. I know that, for some kids, this might be difficult. Lacking a specific direction for what to do, some kids just end up pacing or running around screaming, For children who need it, we can help them to create their own visual schedule for "centers" time. A child can look at a menu showing all of the centers choices, and choose the ones he wants to do. He can use a timer to help him spend a certain amount of time in each center, to make sure that he gets a chance to do everything he wants to do. This way, children start to learn how to manage their time, and how to provide some structure for themselves. We will help children do this, until they are able to put their own schedules together independently.
What other questions do you have about Over The Rainbow? I love to hear your questions, because they give me something to think about!
Will you please "like" us on Facebook? http://www.facebook.com/overtherainbow111.
The answer is, yes, there will be structure. We will have a visual schedule, just like many preschool programs do, and the routine from day to day will be the same in many ways. A child may not choose to participate in part of the day... say, Music and Movement, for example... but he will still be able to know that this is what is coming next. He will know what his choices for that period of time are he could participate with the group, he could sit near by and watch, or he could look at a book or play with a toy on the other side of the room.
During "centers" time, children get to make their own decisions about how to spend their time. I know that, for some kids, this might be difficult. Lacking a specific direction for what to do, some kids just end up pacing or running around screaming, For children who need it, we can help them to create their own visual schedule for "centers" time. A child can look at a menu showing all of the centers choices, and choose the ones he wants to do. He can use a timer to help him spend a certain amount of time in each center, to make sure that he gets a chance to do everything he wants to do. This way, children start to learn how to manage their time, and how to provide some structure for themselves. We will help children do this, until they are able to put their own schedules together independently.
What other questions do you have about Over The Rainbow? I love to hear your questions, because they give me something to think about!
Will you please "like" us on Facebook? http://www.facebook.com/overtherainbow111.