Essential play therapy techniques: Time-tested approaches

"Highly practical and user friendly, [Essential play therapy techniques: Time-tested approaches] presents 58 play therapy techniques that belong in every child clinician's toolbox. The expert authors draw from multiple theoretical orientations to showcase powerful, well-established approaches applicable to a broad range of childhood problems." -publisher

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Accessible playgrounds

Looking for a place to play? NPR has a tool that will help you find an accessible playground where everyone can have fun. This database will let you search your address or search nearby for a playground that is open to people of all abilities.

Take a look at:
http://www.playgroundsforeveryone.com/

Cara's Kit for Toddlers

CARA's Kit (Creating Adaptations for Routines and Activities) will help to make sure all toddlers in your early childhood program are participating, learning, and thriving. Practical solutions to effective adaptations are in CARA's Kit: a guidebook and CD-ROM with step-by-step ideas for adapting environments, activities, and materials for children 18 to 36 months. This guide will help educators:

*implement adaptations in key areas: environment, daily schedule, activities/routines, materials, and requirements or instruction

*increase engagement and participation for all children, including those with disabilities, challenging behaviors, and other special needs

*create and use adaptations anywhere in a home, a child care center, or any other type of early childhood setting

*and more!

Check out this kit by emailing us at cedir@indiana.edu.

Indiana's first Boundless Playground opens today in Fort Wayne!

What is a Boundless Playground? Simply put, it's a playground without boundaries--open and accessible to kids of all abilities.

Taylor's Dream Boundless Playground is named for an 11-year-old girl who took the idea of a Boundless Playground to the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Taylor's Dream honors Taylor Reuille and her many friends who have raised funds and worked with Fort Wayne's Parks & Recreation Department to plan this playground. The 42,000 square-foot playground opens today!

See the pictures and read more about it at Fort Wayne's Parks & Rec website: http://www.fortwayneparks.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31&Itemid=36

Supporting PLAY through Interaction

Looking for a webinar that will highlight how a child's individual sensory and emotional profile may be impacting their ability to INTERACT and PLAY in a meaningful way?

Join the Lekotek team on Monday, January 10th at noon (Central Time) and gain a deeper understanding of:

• how sensation coupled with affect can mobilize a child's developmental capacities
• different types of sensory and emotional profiles
• how to support each child's unique profile in play and interaction
• innovative strategies to use

COST FOR 2 HOUR WEBINAR:
Free for Lekotek Affiliates
$50 General Public (per person)
$300 for groups over 10 people

Continuing Education:
2 IACET CEU

To register, go to: http://www.lekotek.org/services/educators/training_webinars.html

Small Steps Foward

Need new ideas of how to entertain a young child with special needs? Sarah Newman's latest edition of the award-winning Small Steps Forward: Using Games and Activities to Help Your Pre-School Child with Special Needs is full of practical advice for parents or anyone working with children with developmental disabilities. The games and activities use toys and materials you already have so there is no special preparation required. This book also addresses general issues such as behavior management, toilet training, and sleep management and includes an outline of child development to help place a child's progress in context. Parents of young children with special needs will find lots of ideas to encourage their child's development.

Interested in the book and live in Indiana? Email us!

If not, check to see if it is located at your local library using WorldCat.

Fun with Messy Play

Getting messy is not only fun, but it can be educational too! Fun with messy play: Ideas and activities for children with special needs by Tracey Beckerleg is chock full of activities that can help to improve coordination, communication skills, social skills and cognitive abilities, as well as your child's self confidence . These exercises highlight movement or sensation that kids will be able to apply to everyday life. The great part about messy play is that it encourages sensory responsiveness while having fun, without being stressful for kids. This is an excellent resource for parents and professionals. Interested in checking it out? Indiana residents can contact us at 800-437-7924. Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at a library near you!