Welcome to “On the Horizon”
Issue 33: Learning to Think: Part Two Mindfulness Throughout the Day
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.
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Thinking and Problem Solving
 A Note from Nicole: Practical Ideas and New Resources
Idea of the Week: Cook Pumpkin Seeds
Feature Article: Learning to Think: Part Two Mindfulness Throughout the Day
The Horizons Team Recommends: Parent Success Cards and Horizons Academy
Upcoming Events: CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar; Sibshop; CORE Approach Parent Chat
Hi Everyone!
What a gorgeous weekend we just had in West Michigan! The weather was sunny and near 80 degrees—perfect for our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Our kids enjoyed all the activities they have at the farm we visit each year, and it was the perfect day to go on a hayride to pick out pumpkins. This weekend we also celebrated our youngest son’s 5th birthday. I continue to be amazed at how quickly time flies! I hope you enjoyed a fun weekend as well.
This week’s feature article is a continuation of Courtney’s series on teaching kids to think. You’ll get some practical ideas, as well as a reminder of the importance to slow down and focus on the thinking process throughout the day. We’ve got a great new resource coming out for teachers and other school professionals (actually, anyone could use it) to help you spotlight thinking and flexibility throughout the day. Stay tuned…
I hope you have a great week!
Looking to the horizon,
Cook Pumpkin Seeds!
Make a tasty treat together using the leftovers from pumpkin carving! Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Place washed pumpkin seeds one by one on a cookie sheet, and cover the seeds with butter and a little salt. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the seeds begin to turn brown. Make sure to turn the seeds occasionally. Enjoy!
Learning to Think: Part Two Mindfulness Throughout the Day
By: Courtney Kowalczyk, M.Ed.
School has been in session for over a month now, and students are busily working on their studies. Teachers have dug into the content of their curriculum for the year, and everyone has had time to adjust to the new routine. As a former teacher, curriculum was an integral part of my day; and working with students with special needs could be very challenging, especially when trying to pull from so many different pieces of curriculum. I did my best to look at each child’s unique needs, and best match their capabilities with the curriculum options I had available; however, I still found myself struggling with what I had. My students needed extra practice and a slower pace, which most curricula today do not allow. I also wanted to see my students learning to think and process information instead of learning static skills.
While pondering this issue about mindfulness and curricula, I found myself creating opportunities during the day for thinking and problem solving. I continued to use modified forms of curriculum with my students in order to meet their academic goals; but, I found that providing my students with opportunities to think and do problem solving made a tremendous impact in all aspects of their education and livelihood. Here are a few suggestions for adding moments of “mindfulness” to your day with students.
Parent Success Cards
For RDI® Program families, these cards provide reminders of the main principles of RDI® such as the importance of experience sharing, guiding, slowing down, staying focused on the marathon, finding small moments for remediation, and much more. You will find them an invaluable source of inspiration and guidance as you focus on remediation.
Set of 50 heavyweight full-color cards in a sturdy box with lid – $24.95
Purchase the set or view more samples here
Horizons Academy
Many parents express concerns about educational options available to their children with impairments. It seems there are few ideal educational settings, and even fewer that take a developmental approach to working on the core deficits of student difficulties.
Our instructional program, available for children ages 3 and older, is individualized to meet the unique and specific needs of each student. Parents and the instructional team work together to determine priority goal areas, which often include communication, problem solving / flexible thinking, socialization, sensory-motor development, academic skills, and self-care skills.
A certified Special Education teacher / RDI® Program Certified Consultant oversees the program. This program runs from September through June and is limited to a small number of students each year.
Schedule a Free Consultation:
To learn more about our Instructional Program, call us for more information at (616) 698-0306.
Please join us!
- CORE Approach Parent Chat – Spotlighting
Horizons Families Only
Tuesday October 7, 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
- RDI® Parent Teleseminar with Elizabeth Hagen
“Organize with Confidence – Simplify Your Life
and Make Every Moment Count”
Horizons Families Only
Tuesday October 21, 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
- Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday November 1, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
- CORE Approach Parent Chat – Holiday Ideas
Horizons Families Only
Tuesday November 4, 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
- CORE Approach Parent Day
Remediation-Friendly Treatments for Feeding Problems and Sensory Processing Disorders
Friday November 7, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST
- Beginning CORE Approach 4-day Parent Seminar – Chicago, IL area
November 10-13
Registration and Location Information To Be Announced…
- RDI® Parent Teleseminar with Jennifer Wolf,
“The Dangers of Media for Children”
Horizons Families Only
Tuesday November 18, 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
- Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday January 17 2009, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
- Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday March 14 2009, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
- HANDLE® Intermediate Training
April 2009 – Dates TBA!
- Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday May 9 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
See our Event Calendar for more details…
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