Raising a special needs child comes with a set of unique challenges, including finding ways to entertain them and boost their development. Luckily, there are many fun activities that can both entertain and educate. In this blog, we’ll share some creative ideas for activities that are tailored to meet the needs of special needs children.
Sensory Play Sensory play is an excellent way to stimulate a child’s senses and improve their cognitive, motor, and social skills. Sensory play can include activities like playing with slime, sensory bins, water play, playing with modeling clay, or even finger painting. By providing different textures, colors, and interactive play, you are giving them an outlet to explore their senses.
Creative Writing Creative writing is a therapeutic activity for children with special needs. It can help children express themselves and boost self-esteem. Whether it’s writing about their favorite superhero or describing their dream vacation, creative writing is a way to encourage imagination, boost vocabulary, and improve their writing skills. As an added bonus, writing can be done individually or as a group activity, promoting socialization and improved communication.
Cooking or Baking Cooking or baking is an engaging activity for all children, and it can be adapted to suit the needs of children with special needs. This activity is an excellent way to work on practical life skills like measurements, fractions, sequencing and following instructions. You can encourage them to follow recipes and create their own culinary creations. Plus, cooking and baking can be a fun way to enjoy bonding time with parents or caregivers.
Virtual Tours Many museums and zoos now offer virtual tours, which provide an opportunity for children to explore the world without ever leaving home. Virtual tours offer an interactive and immersive experience that is suitable for all abilities. These tours offer a chance to learn about different places, cultures and animals while staying engaged.
Dance Therapy Movement-based therapies like Dance therapy can be beneficial for children with special needs. It can aide in balance, coordination, motor skills, and socialization. Dance can help children express joy, happiness and promote self-expression. Children can learn new dance moves and attend dance classes with their peers, which promotes socialization, teamwork, and improved communication.
In Conclusion Fun activities should be an essential part of any child’s life. But for children with special needs, they can be crucial to their development and emotional well-being. When planning fun activities, remember to consider what the child enjoys and what they will get the most benefit from. By incorporating fun activities into a child’s routine, you can help them improve socialization and learning, boost their creativity and promote their emotional well-being.
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Also lovely people please donate to Aj GoFundMe, he really needs this help. Thank you https://gofund.me/045d2dcb
Happy new year exceptional creative parents! I am so excited that we are in a new year, as you embark on this beautiful journey to take care of your exceptional little one, I pray that God will give you the strength as you advocate, take your child to therapies, play, daycare and be the voice for your child. I hope that you know how valuable and special you are as parents. You are doing an amazing job! Keep pushing. I know that last year you have faced some setbacks, I know that your special little have face some challenges too, but God has carried you through, I know that there are nights and days that you have cried and asked a lot of questions. Please don’t give up, you are not alone, you are special in every way, your child is a gift, blessing and a miracle. As your child continues to improve with the help of God, therapies, your hard work and sacrifices rest assure that this is a beautiful milestone. Congratulations! Remember that you are no alone! as we will be victorious this year! I look forward to be on this momentum journey with you. For daily inspirations and encouragement follow me at https://youtu.be/9kqwR77Y3ns, also check out this earning site https://money-easilyojy.buzz/77810282252410. Thanks for your support 🥰
Start preparing your older child early for upcoming changes
Tell your older child about the new baby early in the pregnancy to allow him/ her plenty of time to get used to the idea of having a younger sibling. This will also give you enough time to notice specific fears that might be making your older child apprehensive. Be sure to talk openly with your child, address any fears and encourage her to ask questions.
If your older child is due for any developmental milestone changes (i.e. potty training or moving to a new bed), start those transitions during pregnancy to ensure enough time to work with your older child and make sure he/ she understands the baby is not the reason for the change. Many changes at the time of the baby’s arrival may be overwhelming for your older child.
2. Involve your older child in planning for the baby
Encourage your child to be part of the planning process by letting him/ her help pick out baby supplies and decorate the baby room. Help him/ her learn about your expanding family by having her choose family pictures to make a collage for the nursery, leaving spaces to fill in with pictures of the new baby.
When you have decided on your family plan for the day of the birth, make sure he/ she understands how the day will go and who will be with him/her. If he/ she knows what to expect, it may help ease anxiety if you have to leave for the hospital abruptly or in the middle of the night.
3. Make sure a trusted network of care is in place
Your older child with special needs may already be involved in respite care or an early childhood education program, but the introduction of a new baby may require extended care beyond what you already have in place. If this is the case, make sure you start the change of care for your older child before the baby arrives to help ease the transition. Don’t be afraid to accept and ask for help. It is important to have a trusted network of family, friends and professional care providers in place to provide extra, and in some cases last minute, help.
4. Spend special time alone with your older child
While it will be important to plan events as a family, continue to reserve special time alone with your older child. Setting aside time to spend with just him /her will help remind him/ her that he/ she is important and ease potential worry that he/ she will be forgotten or replaced. It could be as simple as reserving an hour to work on his/ her favorite craft at home, or spending the day going to an event or visiting one of her favorite places.
5. Be prepared to maintain a schedule with flexibility
Having an infant requires a feeding and sleeping schedule, but having a child with special needs requires the ability to quickly react to unpredictable situations, especially if the child is medically fragile. To help your older child understand the new baby’s schedule, include him/her during feeding and snuggle time and explain that the new baby needs to eat and sleep often to be healthy and grow. Likewise, it’s important to recognize that every member of the family has to be ready to attend to the special needs of your older child if a situation arises, even if it disrupts the baby’s schedule.
Don’t try to convince your child that someone with a disability is just like they are. Instead, acknowledge that they are a little different, but make it clear that just because someone is different, that doesn’t make that person bad.1
Then, show your child how to talk about those differences in a respectful manner. Give your child the language to use to talk about someone who has a learning disability or a physical disability.
Educate your child about disabilities in a matter-of-fact manner. Say things like, “The muscles in your uncle’s legs don’t work like yours. That’s why they have trouble walking,” or “They were born with one leg. So they have a prosthetic leg that doctors made for them that they use to walk.”
Try to keep your emotions out of your conversation. If you say someone’s disability is “sad” or “awful,” your child may pity the person, and that won’t be helpful.
Here are some important points to make:
Some people are born with disabilities. Make it clear that sometimes, babies are born with disabilities. But at other times, people develop disabilities later in life.
People with disabilities aren’t sick. Explain that a child with cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy isn’t sick. You don’t want your child to think they might catch a disability.
There’s nothing wrong with people with disabilities. Your child may ask questions like, “What’s wrong with that girl?” Explain that a child may have trouble talking or difficulty walking but that doesn’t mean there’s something “wrong” with them.
A physical disability doesn’t mean someone has a cognitive disability. Sometimes, kids assume someone with a physical disability may also struggle to communicate or may not be smart. Make it clear that just because someone’s body doesn’t work the same doesn’t mean their brain is impaired.
Explain Adaptive Equipment
Talk to your child about how people with disabilities may use adaptive equipment to assist them. A classmate may have a hearing aid, for example; other people walk with crutches or use a wheelchair to get around.
You may also explain why there are parking spaces for people with physical disabilities located near the store. Explain how someone may use a special vehicle designed to fit a wheelchair with a ramp or lift.
Educate your child how to best assist someone who uses adaptive equipment. For example, make it clear that your child should never pet a dog who is wearing a service animal vest unless the owner invites him to do so, and explain how holding a door for someone who uses a wheelchair may make it easier for them.
Point Out Similarities
Make sure you don’t send the message that people with disabilities are completely different from everyone else. Point out things a child with a disability has in common with your child. Say things like, “Lucy is good at math, just like you are. And you both love to listen to the same kind of music.”
Understanding how they’re the same can help your child relate better to people with disabilities, and it can help increase your child’s empathy.
Learn About Disabilities Together
There’s a good chance you won’t have all the answers about someone’s disability. Researching a disability together can help you show your child how to educate himself on unfamiliar conditions.
Look for kid-friendly websites that offer information about autism, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, or other disabilities that your child may have questions about. Then, go through the information together.
Read age-appropriate books about disabilities too, and look for TV shows that address specific conditions. Sesame Street, for example, has a Muppet character named Julia who has autism.
Teach Kindness and Sensitivity
Unfortunately, there’s a good chance your child will overhear some unkind words used to describe someone’s disability, and there’s a chance your child will repeat them. Address these remarks right away. Explain to your child that such words are hurtful and it’s not OK to say them.
If your child continues to use those words after you’ve explained to them that they’re inappropriate, give a negative consequence. Make it clear that putting people down and speaking disrespectfully about others won’t be tolerated.
Additionally, don’t allow your child to engage in mean-spirited behaviour. Make it known that imitating people with a disability isn’t kind and tell your child not to laugh at others.
Make sure you’re a good role model. If you use outdated language or inappropriate words to describe people with disabilities, your child will follow suit.
Tell Your Child to Ask Before Helping
Kids often want to be helpers, but they may not know how to do something that is actually helpful. Or, they may put themselves in danger.
Getting behind someone in a wheelchair without asking them if they need assistance could be dangerous if the person using the wheelchair doesn’t see your child. Similarly, your child may be tempted to intervene if they see a child with autism who is feeling very upset. But, the child just may need a little space to calm down and giving them a hug could make it worse.
So teach your child to ask before springing into action. Asking, “Is there anything I can do to help?” gives the other person an opportunity to say whether assistance would be appreciated.
How to Talk About a Loved One Who Has a Disability
If your child grows up with a loved one who has a disability—like a cousin or a grandparent—they may raise new questions over time. As they gain a better understanding of the body, they may have bigger questions.
If it’s a close friend or family member who has the disability, ask if the individual is willing to answer your child’s questions. You may find your loved one is happy to field questions to give your child a better understanding.
How to Talk About a Peer Who Has a Disability
Your child may have questions about a peer at school that you’re not able to answer. You may have no idea why one classmate requires help to eat their lunch or why another doesn’t speak in full sentences. You may want to explain, “I’m not sure why they need help eating. Maybe the muscles in their arms don’t work like yours do.”
You may also want to contact your child’s teacher. While the teacher can’t reveal information to you about another student, it might be helpful for the teacher to know your child has questions, and other children likely have questions too.
Many schools offer disability-awareness programs. Find out if your child’s school has any type of curriculum that teaches kids about disabilities. When children understand another child’s disability, they’re more likely to become an ally.
Encourage your child to include peers with disabilities in activities. Eating lunch at the same table, playing at recess, or simply striking up a conversation are a few ways your child can be inclusive.
If your child wants to invite a child with a disability to a birthday party, you may want to call the other parent to talk about how to make it happen. Say, “My son wants to have a party and he’d love to have your child attend. Is there anything we need to know to make it safe and fun for them?”
If you have a disability, your child may have a lot of questions about whether you’re going to get better or why you can’t do certain things. It’s important to give honest answers in a kid-friendly manner.
It can be confusing for kids if a parent has a disability that isn’t visible on the outside. Kids can’t see what’s wrong when a parent has an issue that involves chronic pain, for example, so it’s important to give kids a little information about the science behind what’s happening to your body.
It can also be helpful to share about your self-care strategies. Whether you attend physical therapy, get acupuncture, or take medication, make it clear to your child that you are taking steps to take care of yourself.
If you have a new disability—like the loss of a limb from an accident—and your child is struggling to adjust, seek professional help. Talking to a therapist could help your child process their feelings and adjust to the changes. Please check out this earning App thanks https://refer.tapestri.io/c/72730
Exceptional moms and dads, God promises never to leave us nor forsake us. All though parenting is tough, but children with exceptional needs bring additional challenges and blessings. Read the messages God’s Word has for you on your journey.
John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”
Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Psalm 68:19 “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens.”
John 9:1-3 “As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.’”
Pray that God would give you the strength to persevere in your exceptional needs parenting journey. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall: but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31
Pray that you would be able to release your burdens to God and embrace His peace for you. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Pray that you would be able to persevere in all you do to care for your children and remember that everything you do is all for His glory. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Pray that you would always remember that you and your child(ren) were crafted for a purpose and are precious to God. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14
Pray that you would be open to what God is teaching you in your struggles and in your special needs parenting journey. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:2-3
We Exceptional Creative care parents made history. We got to meet each other face to face. The trip was great We met with the ministry of education special needs unit to see what can be done for our Exceptional Children. I am trusting the Lord that a change will come. I would love to see Jamaica, put center and schools in place like what is in America eg https://napacenter.org/napa-boston/ My desire is to see all our Exceptional Children in a center were they will get the necessary care that they need to achieve functional milestone in their lives. As we work together as a team I know that we will see things fall into place, but we have to be consistent, united and determined. Faith without works is dead. As we continue to advocate and let our voices be heard, I know without a shadow of a doubt that God our Heavenly Father will make a way. I pray that more parents will come out and share their stories, so that society will know that they and their children matter. Please follow our special needs foundation https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=ooxphr5nloic&utm_content=khgr3f1 https://m.facebook.com/ExceptionalCreativeCare/ Please read our son AJ’s story, please donate and reshare. He really needs this help https://gofund.me/045d2dcb Thank you for supporting this wonderful movement. Blessings
Parenting a child with exceptional needs can be challenging. I know; I am a parent of an exceptional child. As a mom, I’ve found it necessary to give myself room to breathe, draw closer to God, replenish and pull myself together. I cannot be of much use to or support for my child when I am running on or close to empty. Below are some practical steps I am using and I suggest you consider as a parent of a child with exceptional needs. Remember, you have exceptional needs, too.
Get outside
Even if it’s while your kid is in therapy, step outside to change up the scenery. Waiting rooms can be so dull and your mood will soon mimic your surroundings.
If it’s a sunny day, then that’s a bonus. There are studies about how the sun can boost your serotonin which improves your mood. So, go soak it up – even if it’s just a few minutes at a time.
And if the sun is nowhere to be found? Go outside anyway. Breathe some fresh air.
Tell your family and close friends how you feel. You are the primary caregiver, and parenting a child with special needs is emotionally and physically taxing. Others probably don’t have any idea how you are feeling. Tell them how they can help, like offering a listening ear, or watching your child so that you have time to replenish yourself.
Give yourself personal time
In the form of a walk, prayer, writing in a journal, or some other activity you enjoy. Do this every day.
Take care of you
Make sure you are eating food that is healthy, drinking plenty of water, and getting plenty of sleep.
Pay it forward
Helping others is good for our own mental health and well-being. It is also a great example for our children.
Exceptional Children with potential: Source google.com
Growing up, I have seen persons in my community discriminated against adults and children with some form of disability. I remember this challenged young boy in the 90s who would stay in class, so every day he would go over the basic school, and none of these teachers showed him any form of love and compassion, even students were unkind to him for years. Unfortunate no teacher took the time out to show this young boy love and compassion.
My husband and I had our first child in 2013, we never knew that our child would have faced extra special needs, as the years went by, bringing him to get diagnosed both here in Jamaica and USA, was challenging. There were times we felt inadequate and as if we had failed because we would see other children in my son’s age group walking, talking, starting basic school, saying the first word, etc.
I remember clearly when our son, was about four or five and we were operating a business, and we were on the road about five to six days a week. People, who say “him no big boy, why is he still in a stroller” I remember a lady who I thought knew better, say “why you guys don’t put him in a home? Alternatively, sometimes people give you that stare as if we did something wrong as parents. One experience that hit my husband and I in our faces, was when some so-called relatives, suggested we place our son in a home. I am so grateful for the Love of Christ Jesus that I did not bother to answer back or retaliate.
There were days I cried, felt hopeless, but eventually, I had to get up and fight for our son, do some research, seek help. Our son is now eight years old, we got him into a school in 2020, which is one and a half hours from home, so we teach him at home and are monitored by his school. Unfortunately, the parish that we live in only has one special needs school, but they did not accept our son because he is not walking, etc. However, we will never lose hope; we will never give up on our handsome son.
What my husband came to realize, you can’t let people or the community let you feel bad about your disabled child or your special needs child or children. You just have to keep trusting God, fight for your rights, advocate or try to set up a special needs support group. Even though we have seen and experienced discrimination, we will keep fighting and do the best we can for our son and ensure that he enjoys life.
Our Journey 