EARLY MATTERS E-NEWSLETTER December 2014

EARLY MATTERS E-NEWSLETTER
December 2014
Over the holidays our children are home from school...we are trying to bake, clean, shop, wrap, play in the snow, mingle with family, cook, eat,
sleep (I know it is rare during the holidays), be joyful, visit all the fun things going on around Cincinnati, talk with other adults, see our friends,
get dressed in fancy clothing for parties...etc. Life can get chaotic at this time….well, here are some ideas for “quiet play” that our children can
do individually. For more ideas and in depth information about the following please visit http://www.kidspot.com.au/quiet-games-for-quiet-times/.
This website actually has 21 different ideas!
1. Toddler Busy Bag
Let’s get started with the best quiet time activity going – the busy bag. Or box. Or bucket. Call it what you will, but this is a bag full of quiet that
you can take with you wherever you go. Make the contents age-appropriate (think felt games and board books for toddlers, pencils, notebooks
and chapter books for bigger kids). It’s a good idea to vary what you put into your busy bag to keep things interesting.
2. Threading Beads onto Pipe Cleaners
Most kids love threading things onto other things and there are all sorts of ways you can set them up to do so. Younger children who are still
developing fine motor coordination will appreciate having some sturdy pipe cleaners to thread, older kids will love the challenge of wool or string.
Set them up with some wooden beads and some colourful pipe cleaners and leave them to it.
3. String Art
Sting art! How could we forget about string art!? Did you make it at school like I did? You can adapt a string art board for kids as young as two
right up to teens. String art is a fantastic way to pass some time concentrating and creating something lovely.
4. Storytelling Baskets
A storytelling basket contains bits and pieces that allow a child to visually retell a favorite story. So, if
their favorite story is We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, the basket will contain some toy bears, plus some
grass, rocks, branches, etc. You can basically pack your basket with anything from a beloved storybook
that will spark your child’s imagination to props that will keep them content in their storybook world for a
while.
5. Origami
Origami– the ancient Japanese art of paper folding – is deliciously soothing and completely addictive.
Young children from as young as three can start with the basics of folding paper. From four, kids will be
able to start making basic origami shapes like a boat, hat, fish or heart. Click here for more loads more
origami ideas for kids of all ages.
6. STICKY EASEL
Kidspot blogger Debs from Learn with Play at Home layers contact paper sticky-side out on her
daughter Maddie’s drawing easel. She then cuts up straws and used craft sticks for Maddie to create a
unique artwork. Even Debs was amazed at how long Maddie spent, quietly creating her design. Find out
how to set one up at Learn with Play at Home.
Jena Wells
Early Matters Coordinator
JenaW@dsagc.com
513.761.5400
ext. 207
HOLIDAY EVENTS
DSAGC Holiday Party!
Sunday, December 7th | 1—4 pm
Oasis Conference Center
The DSAGC celebrates the holiday
season every December by bringing
together our families for a visit with Santa
and Mrs. Claus, arts and crafts, holiday
decorating, gifts and more.
I hope to see you there!!! I will be
wearing a red sweater so if I haven’t
met you yet please come and
introduce yourself! :) Jena
DSAGC Holiday Giving Tree
The Holiday Gift Giving Tree is a program designed to assist DSAGC
families who may need help during the holiday
season. Last year, DSAGC parents and grandparents
sponsored 78 children.
We are still in need for monetary donations to help
us supply gift cards to the parents. If you are able
to help with this need, please go to https://
dsagc.donordrive.com/index.cfm?
fuseaction=donate.general
Be sure to designate this gift to the Giving Tree.
Thanks!!
UPCOMING CLASSES
More information to come about next year’s classes!!
Thank you to those of you who participated in the classes that were
offered to you free of charge!!
Through our Strategic Planning process, we have learned a great deal about
the needs and wants of families that we serve. We are currently looking at
the results and making a plan for next year and beyond.
One of the areas that we are looking at, in depth, is the classes that we offer.
I am excited about next year and possibilities that we can enhance the
classes that are offered as well as make them more convenient for you and
your schedule.
Lots of fun stuff to come so “Watch this space!” (I used to live in England
and this is a term that was used often!) :)
“Creating the best life for all children”
Beavercreek ○ Centerville ○ Middletown ○ Red Bank Road ○ West Chester ○ Western Hills
abcpediatrictherapy.com
Age Appropriate Toys
Newborn to Precrawling (Sitting)
Rattles
Plastic keys
Stuffed animals
Mobiles
Busy boxes
Bubbles
Pinwheels
Black/White or color pictures
Picture books
Musical light up toys
Stacking toys
Baby play gym
Activity centers
Teething ring
Musical toys: piano, radios
Glow in the dark toys
Books on CD / Musical DVDs
Crawling to Prewalking
Balls of various shapes, sizes and textures
Crawl through tunnels/play houses
Picture books
String beads
Puzzles with large pieces with wooden knobs
Bath toys: boats, foam letters/numbers
Musical instruments
Play telephone
Stuffed animals, talking stuffed animals
Ball pit
Infant books with cloth or cardboard
Electronic lighted and sound producing toys
Blocks of different sizes and textures
Teethers
Bubbles
Push toys
Ride on toys
Music boxes
Mirror
See-n-say
Ring stack
Shape sorters
Stacking blocks
Stacking toys
Snap beads
Toddler swing – for swing set/garage with eye bolts
Walking to Preschool Age
Balls – small and large
Push or pull toys
Dolls with stroller, bed, high chair
Shape sorter
Toy animals
Simple puzzles (25 pieces or less)
Ride-on toys/tricycle
Toy telephone
Toddler slide
Leap Frog electronic games
Plastic baseball – T-Ball/bat
Sand toys
Farm set
Snap beads
Playhouse with furniture
Play kitchen
Grocery cart with pretend food, utensils, cups, plates
Stacking toys
Playdoh and rolling pin, shape cutters
Dress up clothes
Drawing and painting tools (finger paints)
Toddler basketball net
Felt board
Sidewalk chalk
String beads
Plastic animals / action figures
Cars, trucks, boats, trains
Pull toys: dog on a leash/string
Musical instruments / whistles
Baby doll with clothing changes
Megaphone, tape recorder
Hula hoop
Bowling set
Outdoor play gym
Bike with training wheels
3 wheeled scooter
Crafts – crayons and scissors
Microphone
Puppets
Bull’s Eye Velcro catch set / target toss game
Games – Bingo, Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Hi Ho! Cherry-O, Lucky Ducks, Memory/matching games
Books Wish list: Specific concepts, locations, and time (past, present, future), Opposites, feelings, descriptive words (size, texture),
Early Elementary
Bike without training wheels, helmet
Slinky
Sports equipment
2 wheeled scooter
Mini-trampoline
More puzzles
Sports equipment
Card games – Go Fish, Old Maid, Uno
Swing set
Roller blades
Marble Maze
Legos
Games - Cranium Hullabaloo, Connect Four, Dominos, Perfection, Jenga, Twister, Sock’em Boppers by Big
Time Toys / Hulk Hands
Late Elementary
Bike without training wheels, helmet
Jump rope
Sports equipment
Skip - it
Trampoline with enclosure
Moon Shoes
Swing set
Games - Bop-it, Bop-it Extreme, Hoppers (Peg Solitaire Game), Cranium Cadoo, Toss Across, Rush Hour
*Want a variety of toys – some that encourage group play and individual play.
*Let the child be your guide
*Encourage age appropriate play and toys
Please call ABC Pediatric Therapy Network - we can answer any developmental question for you!
West Chester/Middletown 513-755-6600 Western Hills 513-922-5437 Red Bank Road 513-271-2419
Centerville 937-281-1286
Beavercreek 937-427-9200
A FUN STORY!
I love to hear stories like this...they make me LOL! I thought you would
enjoy it too!! If you have any fun stories about your children please pass
them along to me. I would like to feature these stories in the e-Newsletters.
This is Elisha...this story shows her mischievous personality! She is so much fun!
Elisha is three years old and was sick in the play room. Elisha’s care taker, Tonya, cleaned up with the mop
and bucket. After she was finished she went to get a towel. When she returned to get the mop/bucket she
found the mop on the floor and voila....Elisha!!
When told she was in trouble, Elisha said " no".
Tonya told her, “I'm going to tell your momma.”
Elisha......head tilted back..."blah blah” mocking chatter....
Tonya...laughing hysterically...."Sorry I just couldn't discipline her Kim.."
Story written by Kimberly O’Madden
COMMUNITY GROUPS
A Community Group is designed to create opportunities for families that have children with Down
syndrome to network and share common interests, concerns, challenges, and information. They do
this through community events, informational meetings, Facebook webpages, or playgroups.
AREA SPECIFIC GROUPS
B & W Group
Serving families in Butler and Warren counties
BACH Group
Serving families in Brown, Adams, Clinton, Highland and
surrounding counties
Eastside Group
Serving families in the Cincinnati Eastside area and downtown
Cincinnati
KIDS Group
“Kentuckian’s Interested in Down Syndrome” serves families in
Northern Kentucky
Westside Group
Serving families in the Cincinnati Westside area and downtown
Cincinnati
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
African American Family Network
Serving families by providing information, support and networking
D.A.D.S Group
Discussion and networking on the aspects of being the father of a
child with Down syndrome
Extended Family and Friends Group
Sharing support while serving each other and the DSAGC
Community
Hispanic Family Group
Social and educational opportunities for Spanish speaking families
513.490.2834 Marina
BIRTH YEAR GROUPS
serving families of children with
Down syndrome born in specific
years
2011
(Extra) Ordinary Friends
2012
12T21 Group
2013
T21QTs
(aka T21 Cuties!)
2014
T21QTs - ‘14
(aka T21 Cuties!)
COMMUNITY GROUPS
COORDINATOR
SARA HENSLEY
sara@dsagc.com
DECEMBER CALENDAR
Sunday
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Butler/Warren
Moms Night
Out
7
8
DSAGC Holiday Party!
14
9
Thursday
4
Friday
5
Dinner and
Dialogue on
Healthy Aging
10
11
Saturday
6
Buddy Up
Tennis (ages
5 & up)
12
D.A.D.S.
Meeting
13
Buddy Up
Tennis (ages
5 & up)
15
16
17
18
19
20
22
23
24
25
26
27
DSAGC
Office
Closed!
DSAGC
Office
Closed!
DSAGC
Office
Closed!
Hispanic
Community
Group Holiday Party!
21
28
29
DSAGC
Office
Closed!
30
DSAGC
Office
Closed!
31
Eastside NYE
Bash
DSAGC
Office
Closed!