For a sensory-seeking child who is always looking for movement, if that movement comes in the form of a fun, voluntary activity—like using an elastic band to play with—that is an improvement.
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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.
We are not expected to be medical doctors, but we are expected to be informed team members. Utilizing these health libraries ensures our practice—and our resource sharing—is grounded in reliable information.
If you are currently working in early intervention, I urge you to join your dedicated professional organization today. It’s not just an expense; it’s an investment in your professional competence and longevity, helping you continuously build your value and ensure your knowledge remains up to date.
Close Calls and Cautionary Tales:
Who hasn’t gotten caught in a downpour while driving between visits? I’ve been there. Stuck in a car as a flash flood roared down a country road at dusk. Think scene from “Twister,” but with less flying cows and more frantic map checking.
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.
All Things Early Intervention 