Tara - For the service project we all did we went into Idaho Falls and helped set up, run, and clean-up after an egg hunt for children with disabilities. They ended up having more help then they thought they were going to so we actually got to watch the children and talk to some of the leaders of Journey's for a little while. It was really fun to watch the children at the egg hunt, and it was also interesting to set up the egg hunt portion for children in wheelchairs. We had to consider what they could reach without bending over and how high they could reach.
Overall, it was really great for me to see the children who are typically developing interacting with and playing with children who have disabilities. It reminded me why I love working with children and just reinforced the direction I want to go professionally.
We were able to help out with a special needs Easter egg hunt today with Journey’s in Idaho Falls. It was so fun to watch all of the children of different ages run and collect eggs. They even could trade in candy or coupons for toys that were donated from different local businesses. We helped hide the eggs for the children who were in wheel chairs. We had to make sure we hid them at a level that they were able to reach. This helped us to put ourselves in their shoes and try to see things from their perspective. We also helped clean up and put furniture back where it needed to go in the Journey’s center. I was able to talk to Lana, the director of Journey’s, about her daughter who is autistic and she told me all about her daughter’s different coping mechanisms. This experience really helped us to gain an administrative perspective because we didn't interact with the children much since their parents were all there to help them with the Easter egg hunt. It was a good experience to see the different things they have available for children with special needs and the various accommodations they need to make for them as well.
ReplyDeleteI had to opportunity to help with Journey's Easter Egg Hunt for children with developmental disabilities. Families were invited, so there were typically developing children along with those that were delayed. It was interesting to see the differences between the typically developing children and the children with disabilities. I helped hid the eggs on the porch for the children with wheelchairs. We had to hid them off the ground, where the children could reach them. It was a cool experience to be able to think of how Easter egg hunts would be if you were in a wheel chair. It also made me think of how it would effect other normal event that you don't really think of being a challenge. I also learned more about Autism from talking to a few parents with children that have Autism. I learned about challenges and coping mechanisms for children with Autism. I haven't had much experience with anyone with Autism and I don't know a lot about it, so this was really enlightening for me. This experience opened my eyes to how many accommodations children with disabilities may need that I had never though of. In classes I usually learn about how to adapt lesson plans and how to make accommodations in the arrangement of your classroom, but I haven't thought about other accommodations, such as put things where someone in a wheel chair can reach them.
ReplyDeleteAs already noted, we were all able to go to Idaho Falls Journey's and volunteer at their Easter egg hunt. Our job was mostly to help set up by laying Easter eggs and candy around the ramp for the children who are in wheel chairs. Then, after the Easter egg hunt there was not a lot to clean up because obviously the children picked up all of the eggs, but we still did clean up the area. It was really great being able to see all of the children have such joy while finding eggs. It made the freezing cold set up so worth it. I also loved being able to talk to the director and other workers who personally have children with special needs. That was my favorite part of the entire day. It was so amazing seeing the children have fun hands on and then learn from the director what can be done to help them.
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