MOTORING THROUGH PRESCHOOL Lexington School District One

Play & Learn AbleNet A motor-based preschool curriculum for children of all abilities Mary J. Sullivan Coleman OTR, MA and Laura Krueger PT, MA

Play & Learn is an outgrowth of the research done by Coleman and Kruegar, which showed that all children learn cognitive, language and social skills more quickly when they are interwoven with movement and meaningful play.

Play & Learn Integrates motor skill development with communication, socialization, and cognitive skill development. Holistic model in which the child, environment, and functional tasks are integrated, not isolated Organized into play areas Meets a wide range of goals and objectives

Appropriate for all early childhood children, including children with special needs Transdisciplinary model of service delivery Includes activities that are meaningful and relevant to young children Each activity is presented with a simple technology option called “Trying Another Way”

Communication symbols to help children comprehend language and give structure and meaning 12 month curriculum organized by monthly themes that correlate with high quality children’s literature Books cover a wide range of disabilities

4 Key Elements in a Learning Environment Routines and music (calmness and internal organization; also help children move from avoidance to exploration) Repetition (skill development) Play (motivation; uses multiple sensory systems for learning) Social interactions (commercially available preschool games used throughout the curriculum)

Children’s Sensory Systems We learn about the world through our senses Basic senses: smell, sight, taste, and hearing Tactile (touch) Vestibular (movement) Proprioception (body position)

Play Areas Cooperative Project on a Vertical Surface Art in Process Obstacle Course Sensory Activities Swing Activities Mat Activities Manipulatives Gym Activities Pre-Writing on a Vertical Surface Cooperative Sensorimotor Activities Games

Cooperative Project on a Vertical Surface Encourages children to work on a variety of fine motor skills Incorporates use of vertical surface for the development of appropriate hand and wrist position for fine motor and pre-writing skills Encourages social interaction

Art in Process Often done on a slant board Chairs that fit well Assistive technology included Music and voice output on the communication aids

Obstacle Course Natural, organized way to learn basic movement concepts, while also gaining strength, using the two sides of their body in a coordinated manner, and improving balance skills Learn concrete spatial concepts while also developing motor planning skills Fine motor activities also incorporated Assistive technology incorporated

Sensory Activities Sensory table with a variety of sensory mediums Kneeling to strengthen hip stability Step-by-Step Communicator programmed with interactive messages Assistive technology so all can enjoy

Swing Activities Variety of swings Suspended equipment to gain vestibular input Input can be calming or alerting Big Mack communication aid programmed with a song

Mat Activities Focus on improving strength and balance Offers excellent sensory input Therapy ball for posture and development Balance board to improve weight-shifting and balance Children participate in a fun game or activity as motivation to move Assistive technology used such as an electric shredder or cordless switch

Manipulatives Important for developing small muscles in young hands Bead stringing, puzzles, adapted pegboards, for developing spatial relations and manipulative hand skills Adapted battery-operated toys or the All- Turn-It spinner to include every child’s participation

Gym Activities Climbing, jumping, running and sliding with their friends Scooter boards and scooter board ramps for trunk extension and shoulder girdle musculature Adaptive riding equipment and and other technology options such as a battery operated fan with a toy bridge and streamers

Pre-Writing on a Vertical Surface Large, vertical surface such as a wipe-off board Teach a more precise finger grasp with small pom-poms when erasing Magnetic pieces to correspond to the monthly themes and vocabulary Technology options to make pre-writing opportunities accessible to all children

Cooperative Sensorimotor Activities Begin interactions with young children Develop skills with color, number, and spatial concepts Promote upper body strengthening, motor planning and using both sides of the body in a coordinated manner Bungee cord, colorful parachutes, knit tunnel tube and lots of fun music Stereo, PowerLink control unit, and switch or Step-By-Step Communicator allows every child to communicate

Games Games facilitate turn-taking, social interaction, and reinforce readiness skills Encourages relaxed language interaction Fisher-Price and Playskool make good games that require in-hand manipulation skills Games may be made accessible through use of All-Turn-It spinner and switches

Cool- down Time for children to learn to quiet bodies, calm at the end of the session Can be effective transition time after period of activity Familiar routine with quiet music, dimmed lights, and gentle massages