How to Stimulate your Special Needs Child's Brain

How to Stimulate your Special Needs Child's Brain

Fun and easy activities to do with your special child.

WHEELBARROW - Have your child place their hands on the floor while you lift up their feet. Have them walk on their hands. This is great fun if you can have a wheelbarrow race.

FIGURE 8 - Place two objects 10 feet apart on the floor. Have your child walk in the pattern of a figure eight for 5-10 or until they are no longer interested.

BEAN BAG TOSS - Toss a bean bag back a forth with your child while you are both standing approximately 3 feet apart. Gradually back up if they are doing well.

CAN ROLL - Have your child sit at a table and roll a can (full soup can) from one hand to the other. The can should roll at least 3 feet across the table to the child's other hand.

BEAN BAG HAND OFF - Have your child stand with his/her arms out to their sides (like a cross). Place a bean bag or ball in one hand. Have them move their hands together in front of themselves and pass the bean bag to their other hand. Have them return their arms out to the cross position and then repeat, passing the object back to the first hand.

Hide Cauliflower in Your Child's Food

Hide Cauliflower in Your Child's Food

Cauliflower has such a mild taste that your kids will not even notice it.

PREPARE THE CAULIFLOWER - Steam the cauliflower and then mash it up with a potato masher. You can freeze or refrigerate any extra you may have. You will only be able to camouflage a small amount, possible a 1/4 cup in your child's food.

BAKED POTATO - Prepare your potato by baking in the oven until soft or in the microwave. Mash the potato while still in the skin. Add in butter and salt to taste. Then add in as much mashed cauliflower as possible without it becoming noticeable.

RICE - Prepare your rice as per the package instructions. I prefer brown rice, it's healthier. Mix in some mashed cauliflower. My kids like ketchup or soy sauce on their rice, which further camouflages the cauliflower.

OATMEAL - Prepare the oatmeal. Preferably steel cut oats. You can make a big pot at the beginning of the week and refrigerate it. Heat up only what you need each day. Mix in some of the mashed cauliflower, try for approximately 25% of the meal. If your child will eat cauliflower without the above camouflages it is best. Try cooking it in a lot of butter or cheese to make it pleasing.

Get the good stuff in their tummies any way you can and if that means that you have to hide cauliflower in your children's food than so be it.

Improve your Child's Grades

Improve your Child's Grades

I have started with the basics of a healthy diet and exercise, just in case it is needed.

GOOD NUTRITION - If your child's nutrition has slipped away from you, now is the time to get it under control. A healthy diet is essential to proper brain function and energy. Make sure your child is getting a balanced diet of carbohydrates, protein, calcium, fiber and fat. A supplemental vitamin is also beneficial. Have plenty of easy to eat fruits and vegetables on hand. Remember an apple a day!

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY - Children need at least 1 1/2 hrs. of physical activity each day. Walking, playing catch, dancing, climbing, bike riding. Make sure they get what they need. The brain is really tuned in after physical activity, so try to plan homework right after a physical activity.

SPEND TIME WITH YOUR CHILD - Review the work they are doing daily, make sure you understand what is expected of them at school. Don't take their word for it when it comes to homework. Look at their work or ask the teacher to give you updates. Many teachers use handy online homework schedules that you can follow.

FLASH CARDS - The are portable (practice in the car) and they can be used for most subjects. Have a stack of index cards handy to make your own flash cards when needed. If it is age appropriate, your child can make the flash cards for themselves.

BREAK IT DOWN INTO SIMPLE STEPS - If your child says they don't understand, try breaking down the problem into smaller, simpler steps.

GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM - If your child is having difficulty in long division, the problem may be that they have not memorized their times table. Have them do the problem in front of you, so that you can see where the difficulty arises. Sometimes, sight or hearing problems can affect their school work and are easily correctable. Make sure they have a regular (yearly) check up at the doctor and tell the doctor about any learning difficulties they are having (in private).

WHEN TO USE PROFESSIONALS - 1. If you can afford it. 2. If they are strict. (Don't let them waste your time or your child's time. 3. If you are not making any progress.

Don't give up, keep trying until you resolve the issue because it is very important to their future that you improve your childs grades.

Stimulate your Child's Brain

Stimulate your Child's Brain

With video games and televisions everywhere, child can always use a good diversion that benefits their brains.

CROSSWORDS, WORD SEARCHES, ETC. - You can find word puzzles for children as young as 1st grade. They can be taken anywhere, kids love the challenge and they are good for everyone's brain whether you are 8 or 98.

I SPY GAME - This one only needs another person. One person says I spy with my little eye something .... (gives a descriptive word) and the other persons tries to guess it. Easy to use with all ages.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY - Sports, dancing, playgrounds, climbing, walking, running, etc. Play catch. All physical movement benefits children. Have them walk up stairs (holding on to the railing) and then walk back down backwards.

LAUGHTER - It is the best medicine. The best thing you can do for your child is to make them laugh everyday.

Just be active everyday and you will stimulate your child's brain more than you know.