All Things Early InterventionChristine Bellew loves teaching children, playing music and having fun. Her goal is to use playful teaching strategies to make doing hard things as fun as possible for parents and children of all abilities.
Christine and her husband Josh have three children that have provided loads of adventures. Their family has opened their home to serve as foster parents to children with special needs which adds to the adventure.
With a Master’s degree in Early Intervention, Christine started her career providing Early Intervention services as a Special Instructor and Service Coordinator.
Most recently Christine has branched out to teaching piano using creative teaching methods to serve children with a variety of learning needs. Music brings her and her students joy when she makes the learning fun and engaging.
Outside of work Christine enjoys watching Parks and Rec, doing puzzles and reorganizing her piano music.
Parking, while seemingly unimportant, can significantly impact our work. It can lead to delays, damage, and even conflict. As early intervention providers, we need to be aware of the unwritten rules of neighborhood parking and the potential hazards of driving in challenging conditions.
The act of having an adaptable yet specific Standard Operating Procedure or “SOP” proved crucial during the chaos of bringing home a medically fragile foster child during a global pandemic. The Framework of the SOP being so simple reminded us to focus on essential needs to create a foundation of stability in the chaos.
It took work on our part and on the part of our friends who saw us struggling and to whom we asked for help. We said we are lonely and they said we want to help you. Let’s fix it. Once we realized how to include more opportunities for friends, we felt more connected.
The core principle of Wright’s Law is that parents have the right to be involved in their child’s education and advocate for their needs.
Remember, knowledge is power, and the CDC is a fantastic resource for anyone invested in the healthy development of all children.
NAEYC’s commitment to high-quality early childhood education makes them a valuable asset for both early intervention professionals and the families we serve. By working together with organizations like the NAEYC, we can ensure all children have the opportunity to thrive.
Creating a peaceful bedtime routine for a child with sensory processing challenges takes time, patience, and experimentation. By understanding your child’s unique needs and incorporating sensory strategies, you can create a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation and sleep for everyone.
We know that children with ASD experience sleep issues and challenging behaviors. Parents then experience stress, and then parent’s stress can worsen a child’s behavior problems. Therefore, effective stress management becomes a critical for both parent and child’s well-being.
The parents’ faces lit up! Seeing the skill in action made the milestone tangible and understandable. It wasn’t just words anymore; it was a real-life demonstration.
I find these videos incredibly helpful, not only for showcasing current skills but also for providing a visual preview of what to expect next.
The most important lesson I learned is that prevention is key. When your child is actively escaping their car seat while you’re driving, you’re helpless. Focus on creating an environment that minimizes the likelihood of escape.
All Things Early Intervention