All Things Early Intervention
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.
As parents and professionals, we know how important it is to keep our little ones comfortable. And sometimes, it’s the little things, like a working nasal aspirator, that make a big difference.
February 27 is National Strawberry Day! I had planned to share my “Pete the Cat and His White Shoes” early intervention learning activities, complete with some fun strawberry-themed ideas. And I still will, but something unexpected happened and I got a little sidetracked.
My own approach to dealing with challenging behavior is influenced by positive behavior support, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed care. It is a hodgepodge of trial and error, and I’d love to share the stories with you.
A stern voice, or even the word “no,” would trigger meltdowns. Thankfully, I discovered the magic of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, a children’s television show that offered practical solutions for navigating these situations.
Creating a safe space for him was a journey with uncertainties. While the effectiveness in calming him down was not always consistent, the times when it did work made all the effort worth it.
By understanding sensory seeking and incorporating these heavy work activities into your child’s routine, your child may benefit by feeling calmer, more regulated, and better able to focus throughout the day.
While I wasn’t consciously aware of these principles at the time, my improvised actions aligned to promote positive behavior. I was encouraged and reminded that we can effectively teach children new skills, including cleaning up, without resorting to power struggles.
While it wasn’t an overnight success, the social story proved to be a game-changer. Equipped with a road map for what to expect, our son was able to navigate the drive-thru experience with newfound calm.
Being a foster parent to a child with behavioral challenges can be emotionally draining. By developing strategies for maintaining composure, you can have a clear head to make decisions to put into practice to maintain a positive environment for both yourself and the child.
All Things Early Intervention