Starting this Spring already we were reading a book to Meggie about Spring changes, which lead us into the changes that come with Summer. Now you maybe thinking why are they working in the Summer, when everyone else here is taking a break? Meggie is in program all year around, she is always learning, and we also like to take advantage of her healthy seasons, since she does miss out during sick season and for Doctors appointments. So moving from Spring to Summer, we had been talking about plants and trees and grass, and how everything comes alive - what a great time to follow up on how we need to care for the plants. The first thing I thought of was how Meggie could help care for the flowers we went to purchase together one beautiful afternoon, as well as a little purple watering can just the right size for a young girl, and for less than $2.00 for the watering can we were in business. This also serves as a great opportunity for her to work on using both hands together, with some hand over hand help from mom, (she also loved the sound of the water coming out of the spout on the can.) we managed to get the watering done, and some therapy in for Meggie.
One of the neat parts of having Meggie involved in caring for the flowers was she really got excited when I would tell her we were going to do the watering, who would have known this would create so much excitement for her. So, we watered, and we watered,.... and watched the flower get nice and full, and colorful,... they are beautiful! The next day I let Meggie know we would not have to water the flowers, because God sent rain to water the flowers, this day God was taking a turn to water, Meggie just smiled and responded with a yah, when I told her. The experience has been fun and rewarding for Meggie, and being able to teach her about what the plants need to grow, water, sunshine, etc has been fun for me also. Combining learning, fun, therapy and chores can be accomplished with a little assistance for our children with special needs, they like to feel useful and needed too. The question I have now is what will be the next unit study she loves as much as this one?
The amazing thing was how attentive Meggie was, she really was looking at those flowers, they can be very captivating , and she really seems to take ownership of this little chore. I am so glad when we find things that grab her interest, and hold her attention for longer and longer periods of time. This shows me she is growing and maturing also, she needs things to provide that opportunity for her just like the plants need the sunshine and water. Maybe next year she will graduate from a watering can to a hose with a sprayer handle, so she can learn another way to water and having to press the handle to get the water to spray will also provide another form of learning and therapy in using her hands. Though Meggie needs a great deal of assistance, with these tasks, we never stop striving for the goal. In the beginning getting use to the feel of the handle on her watering can and having to tip it was a foreign experience to Meggie she really started to enjoy it and had some fun with it, there was a lot of big smiles and laughter once she got the hang of things.
Even the dog had to watch all the fun!
One last check over the flowers making sure to give them enough water, Meggie takes a good look at our flowers again paying much attention to her new task. The new unit study if a great success and fun was had by all. Something involving water may have to be the next project especially to take advantage of these nice summer days, and the therapeutic aspect of working with water, I am loving it myself.
This project can go on for awhile yet, as long as the flowers last, and I have to say that I was really proud of
how Meggie did and we can continue to work on grasping that water can handle and tipping the can. The sound of the water coming out seems to intrigue her enough to keep this going for a while. The fact that she seems to do better with this two handed activity than with holding her own spoon or a cup has given me new hope for working on these goals that should be done with two hands and central. From a visual stand point some of these things can be difficult to accomplish, never give up, they will progress in their own time. If I have learned anything it is not to compare Meggie to any other child's timeline, she has her own schedule, and her agenda maybe very different that everyone Else's. Finding the things that interest Meggie seem to be a key part of getting her to move forward, and not to be ignored or taken lightly.
Good job Meggie!!!
The days work is done, and more watering will be needed later. Thank goodness the weeds are gone now, everything is starting to look great!
Summer may only last for a short time outdoors, but the Heavenly warmth we feel in our hearts from the Son's reflection will linger on and on.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Soaking in the joy of Summer!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Soaking in the joy of Summer!
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