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Bean Bag Toss

Goals:

  1. Increase socialization skills.
  2. Turn taking. Waiting for a turn and anticipation of a turn.
  3. Throwing a beanbag with direction.
  4. Following directions. “My turn” “Your turn” “Wait” “Throw bag” “More”

For a fun and easy social game try beanbags. You can make your own beanbags by filling the small sandwich zip-lock bags with split pea soup beans. Make sure you secure the bag by taping the edges with a thick tape. ( For extra safety you can double the bag). Next place a pail or bin on the floor and have the children stand about 3 feet away from the pail. Mark the floor with an “X” in bright red tape where the children are to stand. Then simply let the children take turns tossing the beanbag into the pail or bin. Have at least 3 beanbags per child.

An alternative is to make the beanbags out of material using a sewing machine. Make the bags about 3 inches by 3 inches. Leave a small opening in the top to fill in with beans and then slip stitch to close.

I found at Wal-Mart in the craft area that you could also buy “doll beads” which are small pellets and are non-toxic. The bag is about $3.00 and very large; you can make 20 or more beanbags from one bag! Just be sure that you seal the beads very securely in the baggie or material bag.

Developing Positive Self-Esteem in Your Child

  1. Give your child hugs/kisses throughout the day. These should not be contingent on behavioural expectations.
  2. Take time for fun, nurturing activities with your child. Examples include lotioning activities (place body lotion on your child’s hands/feet), massaging activities (gently massage your child’s hands/arms, feet/legs) or people games:Row Row Your Boat, Round and Round the Garden, Ring around the Rosie, etc.
  3. Read your child books that promote a positive self-concept (e.g. “I Like Me” by Nancy Carlson).
  4. Make your child his own special labelled photograph book, emphasizing activities in his day that he likes and does well.
  5. Give your child responsibilities, based on her abilities and developmental level. This will develop her self-esteem and confidence in her abilities (e.g. tidy up activities, have her set napkins on the table, clear plates)
  6. Give your child choices when possible and when appropriate, follow your child’s lead.
  7. Keep your directions simple and developmentally appropriate for your child’s understanding to encourage success (e.g. two word directions:”Tidy up”). Always pair the directions with your child’s name. (e.g. “Girpal, tidy up”)
  8. Get down to your child’s eye level when speaking to your child or when she is communicating with you.
  9. Set your child up for success. Alternate challenging new activities with activities your child likes and can complete independently. Begin with one challenging activity followed by the well-liked activity. Use a first/then board to help your child understand the sequence.
  10. Break down challenging activities into smaller tasks.(e.g. for stringbeading activities, your child might learn the activity first with a straw and large beads).
  11. For challenging activities, initially keep the activity short (e.g. your child only has to place two beads on the straw) .
  12. Model new or challenging activities for your child. Use visual supports (e.g. concrete objects, labelled photographs or pictures) to help your child understand an activity, succeed at the activity and work towards independence.
  13. Comment on your child’s specific actions (e.g. “good beading”) rather than using general comments (e.g.” good girl”).
  14. Praise your child for all his efforts.
  15. If your child engages in an inappropriate behaviour (e.g. hitting), comment on the specific action and your behavioural expectation (e.g. “no hitting”). Teach your child the behaviour the you want instead (e.g. “touch gently”). Model the appropriate action and help your child use this action. Use visual supports (e.g. picture symbols, social stories) to help your child learn.
  16. Always prepare your child for transitions. Use verbal language (labelling the upcoming transition, singing a consistent song about the specific transition), visual cues (concrete objects, labelled pictures) and auditory cues (a timer if appropriate) to develop your child’s comfort and ability to move throughout his day successfully.

The first snow

Stories are an excellent way to develop your child’s literacy skills. As you watch the stories together with your child, you’ll have a chance to talk about the pictures he sees on the screen

These story can also help prepare your child for activities that he may experience at childcare, school or camp.

Play story

Playtime

Stories are an excellent way to develop your child’s literacy skills. As you watch the stories together with your child, you’ll have a chance to talk about the pictures he sees on the screen

This story can also help prepare your child for activities that he may experience at childcare, school or camp.

Let’s bake a cake

Stories are an excellent way to develop your child’s literacy skills. As you watch the stories together with your child, you’ll have a chance to talk about the pictures he sees on the screen

These story can also help prepare your child for activities that he may experience at childcare, school or camp.

Play story

Wheels on the bus

Music can help your child learn many important skills such as listening, understanding instructions, learning language, and turn-taking.

Play song

Tidy up

Music can help your child learn many important skills such as listening, understanding instructions, learning language, and turn-taking. Learn and use this song to help your child to tidy up their toys

Play song

Old MacDonald

Music can help your child learn many important skills such as listening, understanding instructions, learning language, and turn-taking.

Play song

Goodnight song

Music can help your child learn many important skills such as listening, understanding instructions, learning language, and turn-taking. Learn and use this song to help your child during sleeptime.

Play song

Attention and Ignoring

A workshop designed to take a look at using positive attention and ignoring at the right moments to help your child learn new skills and practice behaviour that will strengthen their relationship with you and others.

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