Summer Recap 2019
Summer Recap
Our staff has been out and about this summer at several community events. We passed out LOADS of balloons at Tower Days Parade in Spring Lake Park. We also hosted our second annual Family Fun Day in the Park. We greatly enjoy connecting with people in the community and letting them know about our services. If you know of upcoming events that you think we should be a part of, please feel free to let us know!
Speech Tip
10 Ways to Ask “How Was School Today?”
(And get more than a 1-word answer)
What was the best thing that happened at school today? (What was the worst thing that happened at school today?)
Tell me something that made you laugh today.
If you could choose, who would you like to sit by in class? (Who would you NOT want to sit by in class? Why?)
Tell me a weird word that you heard today. (Or something weird that someone said.)
If I called your teacher tonight, what would she tell me about you?
How did somebody help you today?
When were you the happiest today?
When were you bored today?
If an alien spaceship came to your class and beamed someone up, who would you want them to take?
Where do you play the most at recess?
Adapted from a blog post from Simple Simon and Company: http://www.simplesimonandco.com
Back to school can be a very stressful time for any child as they adapt to new surroundings, new friends, new teachers, new classes, etc. You may see their sensory needs increase during this time. For instance, the child may be very fidgety in class, may act out more, may start chewing on things or their chewing may increase, etc. Luckily, though, giving children the appropriate tools to regulate their systems can significantly help them through this time.
Before School Starts
Prepare the child ahead of time - take a tour of the school so they can preemptively get more comfortable with the environment before it starts bustling with activity. Note where the bathrooms are, the cafeteria, etc. Note any movable walls in particular - that can really throw a child off if suddenly the cafeteria is half the size because the room separator is out!
Go to meet the teacher before hand.
Discuss unexpected noises that they may hear (fire alarm, school bell ringing, people talking over loud speaker, etc.)
During Transitions at School
Allow the child to wear earbuds/headphones during transitions if necessary.
Have the child wear his/her backpack during all transitions as added weight to assist with calming.
When forming lines, have the child be either the first or last person in line - this will decrease the chances of being bumped or touched by other children.
If transitions between classes are too much, ask if the child can transition a bit early or a little later than the other children to reduce anxiety/noise/crowds.
In The Classroom
See if the teacher will allow the child to pass out papers or collect items from the other children when the occasion arises. This will give him/her the opportunity to get up and move for a bit, which may then help increase attention when they sit back down. .
Give the child a stress ball, hand putty, fidget toy, etc. to manipulate during the day to decrease anxiety and self calm. .
Tie a theraband (or any stretchy band) to the legs of the child’s desk so that he/she can push/pull against it with his/her feet.
Ask to have the child sit on a ball to reduce movement and fidgeting.
For Anytime
Have the child push his or her hands and count to 10-20 as a self-calming strategy.
Have the child place his/her hands underneath their chair and attempt to pull the chair off the ground while they remain seated. Count to 10 or 20.
Deep breathing may help, too. Take 5 deep, slow breaths or blow out the ‘birthday candles” on their fingers.
Adapted from a blog post on Ark Therapeutic: https://www.arktherapeutic.com
Clinic Closure for Holidays
Metro Therapy will be closed September 2nd in observance of Labor Day.
Metro Therapy will be closed Nov 28th and 29th for Thanksgiving.
If your child has sessions to make up, consider completing those during MEA break Oct 16 to 18, Metro Therapy will remain open!
Metro Therapy Team Anniversaries:
Sarah Hetz is celebrating 8 years.
Veronica Clark is celebrating 7 years.
Jessica Paredes is celebrating 6 years.
Kelsey Olson is celebrating 5 years.
Brittany Ahlskog is celebrating 5 years.
Katy Fischer is celebrating 4 years.
Becka Haensel is celebrating 4 years.
Monica Wielinski is celebrating 3 years.
Lindsey Brown is celebrating 2 years.