Welcome to “On the Horizon”
Issue 53: Spring Break is Back
On the Horizon is an award winning weekly ezine for parents of children with developmental disabilities who want simple, effective strategies to reduce stress, support their child’s development, and improve quality of life for the whole family.
To keep receiving On the Horizon, please add the email address “nicolebeurkens@horizonsdrc.com” to your safe address list.
If this email was forwarded to you, and you’d like to receive On the Horizon in your email inbox, sign up here.
Springtime Fun
 A Note from Nicole: Spring is Here; Welcome New Readers
Idea of the Week: Sound Shaker Instruments
Feature Article: Spring Break is Back
The Horizons Team Recommends: Learning
as we Grow; Summer Camps
Upcoming Events: Sibshop; Horizons Parent Chat
Hi Everyone!
After a long winter it is so nice to see the sunshine around here! It hasn’t been very warm yet (in the 40’s and a couple days in the 50’s), but just having the bright sunshine somehow makes everything feel better. Many of our local families are looking forward to spring break the week after next. Even if they aren’t going somewhere warm, it is nice to look forward to a more relaxed week at home. Courtney’s article this week provides some fun ideas for spring break time or anytime, and reminds us of some important things to keep in mind during these breaks from school.
I want to extend a big welcome to all of our new readers this
week! Erin and I attended a conference for parents of special
needs children a couple of weekends ago, and we have many new
people who are now subscribing to this newsletter. We hope you
enjoy the tips and information each week!
Thanks, also, to everyone who has pre-ordered our new book, Learning as we Grow. We’re looking forward to shipping those
out before the end of the month. Feel free to go here
and pre-order your copy if you haven’t already.
Enjoy your week!
Looking to the horizon,
Sound Shaker Instruments
Take a paper towel roll and glue or tape a decorated piece of construction paper around it, designing it how you want. Trace the ends of the tube and cut out paper a bit bigger so you can cover the
ends of the tube. Cover one end and then fill the tube about
half full with rice cereal; then cover the other end. These make great shakers when singing songs and dancing. You can add them to other instruments you may already have to make your own band.
Spring Break is Back
By: Courtney Kowalczyk, M.Ed.
The weather is warming up here in Michigan, and it is hard to believe that spring break is right around the corner. Spring time can be a season of change for many children, and it is important to try and maintain some consistency and routine. Whether you are going away for spring break or staying home, here are a few fun ideas to help you and your family maintain consistency as well as to enjoy the time off.
Set up an indoor treasure hunt. We all know that the weather
during the spring season can be somewhat unpredictable, which
means that you may find yourselves stuck indoors whether you
are at home or on vacation. Wherever you are, you and your family
can have a great time with an indoor treasure hunt. Each family
member can take turns hiding their own personal items, and giving
clues to the other family members about where the “treasures”
are hiding.
Camp out! Whether you sleep on the floor in your living room
or outside in a tent, camping out can be fun for everyone. You
can set up your own campsite indoors or outside with a tent,
sleeping bags, and snacks. As a family, you could sit around
a real or pretend fire and take turns telling stories to one
another. You can even make smores over a fire or in the microwave.
Learning as we Grow
You’ve Been Asking For It – The Resource for Applying Principles of Remediation in School Settings is Finally Here!
This long-awaited book is written for parents and professionals who want to be more effective in their work with students who have neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism.
You will learn how to:
- Identify the core features of neurodevelopmental disorders that create communication, learning, and relationship challenges for your students
- Shift from a mindset of working around deficits (compensation) to correcting the root issues that create obstacles for your students (remediation)
- Modify your communication to promote your students’ communication and thinking abilities
- Identify the unique strengths and obstacles of each student in order to determine appropriate placement and programming
- Achieve meaningful outcomes for students that allow them to reach their greatest potential
For more information, click here
Summer CAMPS 2009
Your child is going to LOVE the exciting adventures we have planned for this summer! Each week we will explore a different theme together, complete with lots of opportunities for movement, music, problem solving, working together, and indoor and outdoor fun. Our camps are designed to offer a fun, safe, and therapeutic environment for children with developmental disabilities to engage with peers, try new things, and retain skills over the summer months. A low staff to child ratio ensures that everyone is supported. Principles of the Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)® Program are integrated throughout all activities, which provides opportunities for campers to improve communication, increase competence, enhance regulation, and build relationships.
For more details on our Summer Programs, click here 
Please join us!
- Horizons Parent Chat: Objective Support with Michelle & Courtney
(Horizons Families Only)
Monday, March 30, 2009, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM EST
- Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday, May 16, 2009, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
- Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday, July 18, 2009, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
- Summer CAMPS – Zooming into Summer
Open to everyone!
July 6-8
- Summer CAMPS – Hawaiian Luau
Open to everyone!
July 13-16
- Summer CAMPS – Lions, Tigers, & Bears—Oh My!
Open to everyone!
July 20-23
- Summer CAMPS – All About Me
Open to everyone!
July 27-30
- Summer CAMPS – It’s A Bug’s Life
Open to everyone!
August 3-6
- Summer CAMPS – Wild, Wild West
Open to everyone!
August 10-13
- Summer CAMPS – Under The Sea
Open to everyone!
August 17-20
- Summer Program – Collaborate and Create!
Open to everyone!
Session 1: July 7-July 23
- Summer Program – Collaborate and Create!
Open to everyone!
Session 2: July 27-July 30
- Summer Program – Collaborate and Create!
Open to everyone!
Session 3: August 4-August 20
See our Event Calendar for more details…
|
