Thursday, April 28, 2011

Entry 13 (Hula Hoops)

Hula Hoops

What: a toy hoop that is twirled around the waist, limbs, or neck.

Where: anywhere space allows

Who: youth-at-risk, geriatrics, elementary age children, etc. Basically, everyone.


Physical Benefits:
Increase coordination
Increase flexibility of the spine
Tones and shapes muscles
Increase aerobic abilities

Emotional Benefits:
Improves your mood: smiling and laughter

Social Benefits:
Lightens the mood so people feel more comfortable to chit chat.
Provides a non-formal and fun atmosphere.

How to make for only $3: "Say what?!"

Materials:
Blow dryer
3/4 inch irrigation tubing (buy in rolls of 100 ft.)
3/4 inch couplings (buy in bulk)
Tube cutter
Duct Tape

How:
Cut irrigation tubing so hoop reaches from ground to chest height
Heat ends of irrigation tubing with blow dryer
Attach ends of irrigation tubing with coupling
Apply duct tape as desired to individualize the hoop as your own

YouTube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSi3nmoPF4Q&feature=player_embedded#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j46ll2_jR7k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NosrjWZUD7g&feature=related















Friday, April 22, 2011

Entry 12 (Long Activity Facilitation)

Long Activity Facilitation

Three groups facilitated their activities, including my group.  Group 4 (my group) facilitated team sports and active recreational activities, Group 5 facilitated drama activities, and Group 6 facilitated relaxation techniques and activities.

Group 4 (Team Sports and Active Recreational Activities):
What:
Various activities and games that worked on social skills, being supportive/positive reinforcement, working as a team, and utilizing communication skills.

Types:
Birdie on a Perch: Ice-breaker to expand your personal circle and get to know others
Spider-Web:  Physical activity that can be played by most populations.  Focuses on concentration and movement.
Toothpick Basketball:  Physical activity that concentrates on hand-eye coordination.
Obstacle Course:  Requires trust of your partner and "living" in the world differently (blindfolded).

Where:
The activities performed by the class could be played anywhere that space allows.

YouTube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6F79E_yVi8

Group 5 (Drama):
What:
Activities and games that bring dramatic play into your life.

Types:
Prop Imagination:  Use the prop given and turn it into something you've never heard or seen before.
Wheelchair Dancing:  Partner dancing (one partner is in a wheelchair and the other is up on his/her feet)

Where:
Anywhere space allows.  More space is needed for wheelchair dancing that prop imagination.

YouTube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhDxTcw0AZs

Group 6 (Relaxation):
What:
Relaxation techniques that can be used to alleviate stress or something else on one's mind.

Types:
Lying down/sitting comfortably
Lights dim/off
Calming music on/quiet
Soothing pictures of nature/people smiling/something one enjoys

Where:
Relaxation can take place anywhere you feel comfortable with little to no distraction.

YouTube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwmCwYPGXlA

These were all great activities facilitated.  However, I found team sports/active recreational games to be the most recreation based.  This group's activities were not pointed at a specific disability but rather many different disabilities and populations.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Entry 11 (Long Activity Facilitation)

Art, Challenge-based, Rhythm/Music


Three groups introduced activities for different categories.  The Art group did book altering.  The Challenge-based group did different activities that required the participants to work as a group and use good communication skills, and the Music/Rhythm group designed homemade musical instruments.

What:
I found the book altering activity to be really interesting and a good use of old books.  I had never heard of this activity and think it would be very beneficial for all populations.  This activity could have different variations based on the age of the population or level of ability.

How:
Book altering can be done as:
Starting with an old book and changing it to be "your own".  You can add pictures form magazines or real photos, ribbon, paper mache, or cutting a secret whole in the middle of the pages of the book.

Why?
This is a great activity for Therapeutic Recreation Specialists to use for self-expression.  This activity lets patients express their creativity and do whatever is on their mind. It could also be used to increase fine motor skills, by use of scissors when cutting out magazine clippings and paper mache. This activity is also great for concentration.    


I would definitely recommend this idea for anyone. It was so much fun and very relaxing for many.

YouTube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6r7EAgyL1g




Thursday, April 7, 2011

Entry 10 (Stress, Relaxation, and Meditation)

Stress, Relaxation, and Meditation
Relaxation:  Opposite of feeling anxious.




  



Relaxation is based highly on an individual basis and personal activities.         
     Examples:  yoga, deep breathing, getting a haircut, watching a movie, talking on the phone, going for a walk, reading a novel, exercising, etc.
     Objectives:  body awareness, decrease stress and anxiety, use as a coping skill, transferability, and practice!!
     Breathing:  Inhale through the nose, hold, & exhale through the mouth. Try counting for 5 seconds each.
          Consider body position/posture, breathing from the diaphragm, start simple and progress to different imagery, and foundation for all.
     YouTube Video:(yoga)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3vLZqPZxZE
     YouTube Video:(guided relaxation)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwmCwYPGXlA&feature=relmfu
     Progressive Meditation:  Sending physiological signals to the body and shaking it all out.  It is important to go through the whole body.  This meditation helps with body awareness and body scanning.
     YouTube Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpsT4QmATdc

Meditation:  What is meditation: Look at pic on right. --------
  There are many types of meditation:
     Tree of Life
     Inspirational Poem, Art, Story, etc.
     Phrase or Word
     "Omm"...
     Guided Imagery
     Music
     Lighting (candles, dim lights, no lights, bright lights, etc.)
     YouTube Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmA-dWdaI5k







Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Puppy Chow

Puppy Chow
 Not a treat for dogs.


What:
A delicious treat that is fun to make.  This activity brings smiles to all faces- while baking and eating this treat.

Where:
Make in the kitchen and serve at a party or just as an every day snack.

Who:
This a a great activity for children to make.  It broadens their knowledge about measuring.  It also allows the children to see the beginning affect of something and the after affect.  When children see the after affect, they get excited that they "created" that.  This delicious treat is fun for all populations to make.  It is always important for an adult to be near by to supervise.

Directions:
   9 cup Chex
   1 cup chocolate chips
   1/2 cup peanut butter
   1/4 cup butter
   1/4 teaspoon vanilla
   1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
     Put cereal in large bowl.  Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
     Pour over Chex cereal, put into a large plastic bag with powdered sugar and shake well to coat.
     Spread mixture evenly on wax paper and allow to cool.

YouTube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBPqLMymcw




"I Spy" Nature Walk

"I Spy" Nature Walk

What:
An activity that helps children find and distinguish objects in the nature.  This is a learning game that is fun for all ages.  This game is also a great way to interact with others.

To Begin:
Create a little picture-checklist for the children to use as clues for what they need to find in their I-Spy game.  When the child finds the object, they can put a check next to the object on the page.

Where:
This activity could be played in a vehicle, outside, inside, or right out of a book.

Who:
This activity can be played by all populations.  The books are especially nice for a rainy day or for a person who uses a wheelchair.  The outdoor "I Spy" adventure is great for anyone who needs to get outside and enjoy the weather.

Modifications:
This activity could be modified to "I spy the color____" or "I spy things that start with the letter ____".

I have played this game many times throughout school. It is a great game when antsy or just needing to relax.


YouTube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaI9oHpPSMk&feature=related