We recently welcomed two amazing foster children: Little Nugget, a sassy preschooler and Little Dumpling, her adorable toddler brother who loves to play with toy cars. Little Nugget’s attitude and Little Dumpling’s busy exploration fit right in with our crew.
Sure, there are challenges, but the laughter, love, and adventures made it all worthwhile.
Those challenges, though? They have turned into our own personal boot camp for creative problem-solving. And those creative solutions? They have turned out to be pretty useful blog post material!
Just like in Early Intervention, confidentiality is key to keeping these vulnerable kiddos safe in foster care. So, Little Nugget and Little Dumpling are just cute code names for the two incredible people who brought excitement to our home.
So, to all the early intervention providers, keep up the fantastic work. You’re not just helping children overcome challenges; you’re helping families create beautiful and messy memories. I will delve deeper into this experience, sharing the strategies that helped us navigate Nugget’s fiery spirit and Dumpling’s nonverbal world. Through these experiences, we can glean some insights to add to our ever-evolving toolbox. And remember, sometimes the best solutions come from the most unexpected places.
All Things Early Intervention 
7 replies on “Introducing Little Nugget And Little Dumpling”
[…] experience for both parents and children. This article describes an experience I had with my foster child, “Little Monkey,” that highlights the power of the “First/Then” strategy, shaping, and […]
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[…] Little Nuggett had a hard time keeping her food at the table. She really liked watching Trolls and eating snacks […]
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[…] Little Dumpling arrived with a buzz cut. After a few weeks, it grew. And grew. I would either have to take him somewhere or cut it myself. […]
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[…] Little Dumpling brought me his empty sippy cup, I pretended that I didn’t know what he wanted. When he dragged me […]
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[…] in our household, and bedtime is loud. We needed a way to block out the background noise because Little Dumpling goes to bed first, and in the meantime, the rest of the house is still […]
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[…] foster child, Little Monkey, was a whirlwind of energy. Diagnosed with autism, he also had significant sensory processing […]
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[…] “Little Monkey” was a sensory seeker, constantly craving stimulation. This presented a challenge for me, as I’m prone to over stimulation myself. Finding a balance was crucial. I needed to provide visual input without triggering auditory overload. One day, I decided to try a realistic aquarium screensaver on our TV. It was a revelation. In between TV shows, the gently swaying fish and vibrant colors provided the perfect level of visual stimulation. It was engaging, but not overwhelming, for both of us. […]
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