So, while you won’t find real names or specific details, you will find relatable stories with practical advice, heartwarming moments, and a belief in the potential that lies within every child.
Author: Christine
Christine 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.
After hearing the idea of self-care explained to me in a new way, I embraced the idea. It is a mind set.
Our family recently embarked on a new adventure—becoming licensed therapeutic foster parents. Yep, that’s right—we’re officially in the business of opening our hearts and homes to kids with special needs.
Using the simple song “The Ants Go Marching” is a great way to both be individualized and consistent in your own lesson planning. You can address a wide variety of goals as well as keep your planning simple.
There are so many more fun and challenging things you can do with this song. Each child has their own set of challenges and preferences. With some creativity, one song can be adapted to meet each of these needs.
I plan activities (loosely) ahead of time for Early Intervention sessions. An easy way for me to both 1) not get bored and 2) keep track of progress is to repeat one particular action song that we stick to for a month. This month it is the Little Fish Song, “All the Little Fish Are Swimming in the Water.”
The song “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed” by Eileen Christelow is a favorite due to its interactive nature. It encourages play and incorporates developmental skills like counting and pretending. Practical props like phones and doctor’s kit enhance the experience. The song offers a variety of playful activities for children and promotes interactive learning.
Where does Special Instruction Take Place? The simple answer is Special Instruction takes place in natural environments, which vary from child to child.
Here is what I know to be true.
You cannot make a child eat.
You cannot make a child sleep.
You cannot make a child pee or poop.
You cannot make a child talk.
Do you know what you can end up making a child do? You can “make” a child cry.
My instinct to guard glue stick caps comes from my days as a toddler classroom teacher, where glue stick caps were not only a choking hazard but also a hidden teaching opportunity.
All Things Early Intervention 