Can you imagine your childhood without books? A life without the words of Dr. Seuss, Patricia Polacco, or Eric Carle? What if we never ventured to Hogwarts or had adventures that transported us into the depths of space? As the saying goes – “So many books, so little time!”
As we prepare for the lazy days of summer – consider sharing these books with your kids! This is the FIRST of book recommendations blog I will offer this week. The next will tackle TOUGH TOPICS. But first – feel free to peruse through these “lighter” titles.
I have known this author for years – and she never ceases to amaze me with her brilliance and dedication to writing interesting stories for tweens and teens that demonstrate the challenges of peer relationships during contemporary times. This book is written for both young adults and those who are older than high school age. I loved it. I think you will, too.
HEAR THEM ROAR!
14 Endangered Animals From Around the World.
by June Smalls and Becky Thorns (illustrator)
Hear Them Roar! is a stunning book. Beautifully illustrated with interactive buttons juxtaposed with information about 14 endangered animals from around the globe. A must-buy for any animal lover!
The Worn-Out Flag: A Patriotic Children’s Story of Respect, Honor, Veterans, and the Meaning Behind the American Flag
by Karen Bowen
KarenBowen.com
This book surprised me! I thought it would be preachy and not too interesting for a child to follow. I was wrong. It was respectful and had a great lesson to teach. Plus, it was very inclusive. Karen Bowen did a great job with this book and it is one cross-generations can enjoy together. We need more writers, like Bowen, who tackle heartfelt topics and give important information at the same time!
LET’S MAKE YOGA MAGIC!
(A BOARD BOOK for LITTLE READERS)
by Heather Leah and Sandi Sonke
This book is so cute and teaches the principles of Yoga to young children in a fun and energizing way. Bring out the yoga mat! Another WIN from my friends at FAMILIUS PUBLISHING!
SHE SPOKE!
I won’t lie- this is one of my very, very favorite books for kids. Hence, the reason I am AGAIN placing it on my FAVORITES list! With clips from famous women – such as Maya Angelou, Temple Grandin, Malala Yousafzai, and Oprah Winfrey- this book is a HUGE WIN! We need women’s voices to be part of the world narrative more now than ever!
And imagine how pleased I was to spot in my reviewer box the next installment – SHE SPOKE, TOO! Again, readers are encouraged to press the side panel of buttons and hear the voices of some of the most influential and inspiring women of our times!
OMG – Familius did it again! They published another amazing book highlighting women who made a significant impact in our world. Compiled by Kathy MacMillan and Manuela Bernardi. Spotlighting famous women and their amazing words of wisdom – such as Takemoto Mink, Kamala Harris, and Gerta Thurnberg.
ON-TRACK LEARNING – TRAIN SERIES!
I am cheating! The On-Track Learning Train Series is a personal favorite set of board books. I love Color Train and Music Train the best (so creative!) – but the newest addition has made my list, too, – OCEAN TRAIN (the illustrations are amazing!)
January 2, 2011. The day I wrote my first blog about being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Little did I know then about what life would look like 13 years later.
January 5, 2011. That was the day that I was rolled into the operating room at Johns Hopkins Hospital and found to have Stage 3 thyroid cancer. It also was the start of my life as a Cancer Warrior Goddess. I decided to make the BIG C into a set of teachable moments (and blogs). One that people loved was for TWITTER SCARVES for CHARITY. How times have changed as I gave up my active Twitter account when it became X!
And, after 13 years I have written much about what I have learned from this cancer journey—the good, bad, ugly, and occasionally comical. Yes, like much in life, my cancer journey has come with a few humorous moments. For example, I will never forget a Hopkins “Junior Doc” asking me during a post-op check-up if the pain in my neck felt like I had been “hit by lightning?”. I triedto explain to him that my discomfort wasn’t THAT serious.
Shortly after, I wrote about this interaction, I discovered “Top Doc” read my blog and decided to use my “lightning” example as a teachable moment. Frankly, I was amazed that Top Doc found the time to read my blog!
Moreover, in these last 13 years I shared some information to educate. This included a few articles about thyroid cancer’s red flags. Also, I have been a contributor to the THANC Foundation and filmed a PSA using sign language about thyroid cancer for the Deaf community.
In closing, I am lucky. 13 years lucky. Thank you to all who have taken this journey with me and been a support. Most of all – thank you to the medical community who made sure I could celebrate 13 years… and counting…
Wishing you all a happy, healthy, prosperous, calm,
and peaceful 2024.
Happy New Year!
Let’s start 2024 with some fun with an opportunity for you to SHARE!
If you have a blog that you would like us to check out – drop your link in the comments below. If you are a small business owner – feel free to do the same- let us know about your biz by commenting on your website or social links.
And feel free to enjoy these photos that I hope are “calming”. They were taken during my various wanderings around the globe during 2023.
CABRILLO MARINA, SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA
LAKE LOUISE, CANADA
LINCOLN PARK, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA
Sadly, I need to add this “caveat” because sometimes ugly comments happen. So… If you use this post for your political forum or perhaps to rant – don’t bother. I’ll report it as spam or malicious content and block you.
Spain and Portugal are two of the most popular “post-pandemic” travel destinations. Scores of people already have flocked to the south of Europe – including me! And many more are expected to make the trip.
As I traversed these countries by plane, train, auto, tuk-tuk, and boat – I realized that there was much I wanted to share regarding accessibility and inclusion for people with mobility, vision, and/or hearing challenges. I also kept in mind how families with members on the Autism spectrum could travel with the least amount of disruption. Thus, I decided to write this blog as a “guide” or a set of “tips”. By no means is what I will offer below an exhaustive list – but just some information I learned along my journey. These tips were written for travelers coming from the United States to Spain or Portugal. And by all means- add your tips in the comment section.
TIPS for FLYING to EUROPE from the UNITED STATES
TIP 1 – Prepare by researching which airline, Hotels, land transportation, and attractions will meet your needs. Price may be a top consideration. But, being comfortable on your flight, cared for, and safe should be very important, as well.
Several airlines fly to Spain and Portugal. (Among other cities in Europe and beyond). Here are the airlines’ links to essential information for those who need assistance and have special needs. Also, a few airlines have bonus features, such as United Airlines’ social stories, on their websites.
AMERICAN AIRLINES– AA asks that you alert them to your needs for special assistance during your booking process. They have a full concierge of services that are outlined here.
BRITISH AIRWAYS – People requiring special assistance flying “BA” should alert the airline via the MANAGE BOOKING setting on the reservation. Here you will find this documentation and guide for how they can assist you.
IBERIA- Document regarding helping people with special needs or considerations
TAP AIRLINES (Air Portugal) – This airline does not seem to have a guide that lists services and how they will help someone who needs assistance until you complete their form found here.
UNITED: This airline also has an excellent reference page with the services they offer their passengers in need of extra assistance.
**United’s page can be found on their website here. A shout-out to this airline for adding a social story for those with sensory needs or autism. These stories help to prepare children and adults for social situations that could be out of their routine or cause general anxiety. They help to prepare the person as to what to expect when arriving at the airport, going through check-in, the gate, the waiting area, the gate to load on the plane, and the plane itself. This story even adds photos that help a person to know exactly what to expect. Bravo United Airlines!
TIP 2- Make arrangements for any service animals well in advance.
If you have a service animal please contact each airline well before you leave for any airport. There may be information that is needed well in advance and any place where you will have a stop along your route. Even if it is a short layover at London Heathrow Airport – England- there may be special considerations. The links shared above also have information about service animal restrictions, documentation, communications (such as rabies vaccines), etc.
TIP 3- Pack your carry-on luggage wisely
Make sure that you have all medications, essential documentation, a change of clothing (or more than one), battery chargers, extra oxygen canisters, etc. with you in case your checked baggage does not arrive when and where you do. Noise-canceling headphones may be the “best friend” for someone with sensory issues to sound. Also, a personal tablet chocked full of favorite games, audiobooks, captioned videos, etc. will help pass the time and be a great backup in case there is a technology “fail” while you travel. I find the Kindle Fire or iPad to be two very reliable devices that work well. Don’t forget electric converters, too. (The voltage is different in Europe than the US.)
TIP 4- If you are taking a tour be sure to communicate with the tour company your needs.
Communicaiton is key. This includes telling the tour company of any challenges you may have and modifications or accommodations you may need. Do you need extra stops for bathroom breaks? Do you need to have special dietary meals? Are you in need of assistance to go on and off a bus? Remember that other countries may not have disability laws (e.g. ADA), expect some differences and even inconveniences. For example, cobblestone streets are truly throughout Europe. We found that older cities, such as Toledo, Porto, and Lisbon were very hilly and filled with cobblestone streets. While charming, they are difficult for anyone to walk, especially in the rain.
NOTE: Vehicles are smaller in Europe, most likely to accommodate the narrow roadways. If you need an SUV for a wheelchair you may ask for the dimensions and to let the people know why. The SUV I just rented could not accommodate four people, luggage, and a wheelchair. Not a chance!
Also, the popular TukTuks vary in size and accessibility. We drove in some that were easy to get on and off and another that required significant athletic abilities!
Consider taking a car hire service such as Daytrip.com . This way you are door to door and have someone to help you. They also have experienced drivers with full-service vehicles that are large enough for a wheelchair.
TIP 5- Do not expect Hotels, museums, and public attractions (such as palaces and churches) to be inclusive/accessible or smoke free.
I spent a good deal of my time while visiting various churches, museums, and palaces inquiring where there were printed materials for the deaf as the audiotapes were so bad that a person with normal hearing probably couldn’t comprehend half of what was said, let alone anyone with difficulty hearing. The majority of my requests resulted in some answers that began with – “Sorry” and ended with “fill out this suggestion form.” How frustrating! So, my advice would be to print as much about the places you plan on visiting as possible. Perhaps an online guide or another resource. This way you will be able to enjoy the synagogues of Toledo, the Picasso Museum, or the Royal Palace in Madrid.
Also, note that the entries to these places are often with multiple steps and no ramps. Check first about walkability for popular tourist spots including the Alhambra in Granada, Sintra outside of Lisbon, and Barcelona. Plus, the hordes of people inside museums, etc. make getting about with a wheelchair or walker tricky.
Ambient noise also makes amplification equipment difficult – such as hearing aids. The PRADO is beautiful and worth visiting, but keep in mind it is crowded and noisy during their free evening hours. Consider going on a small/individual guided tour with a docent during the days and hours when the museum is least crowded.
CHECK YOUR HOTEL BEFORE RESERVING ABOUT BASICS…
Believe it or not, we stayed in more than one hotel that did not have a customer elevator that could accommodate a wheelchair. And, these were major hotel chains. We also noticed many boutique hotels did not have ramps, wide doors, or elevators. This would be very problematic and most likely impossible for a person with mobility needs to stay there. Cobblestone streets made it crazy for us to walk with luggage- let alone if we were someone with any mobility challenges. Streets were often too narrow for a van to drive, as well – thus preventing door-to-door service. Sigh!
Moreover, closed captioning options were not available on some of the older televisions in our hotel rooms. And, only a handful of hotels had technology that would be considered “standard” in the United States – such as braille in the elevators, or flashing lights to alert that there is a fire alarm ringing.
What about dining?
Portugal and Spain are known for great restaurants that are accessible with ample outside seating. The problem is that there is a “catch-22′. While these seats are great for people who wish extra room and easy access – they also are where people who smoke cigarettes tend to convene, as well. Sigh.
TIP 6 – Use language translation apps to help ease and promote communication
Many excellent cell phone applications can be useful to help with communication. It would be advantageous to pre-program key phrases – such as – I NEED HELP,I HAVE A MEDICAL ISSUE (e.g.diabetes, heart condition, etc.) Of course, Google Translate is the “gold standard”.
TIP 7 – Identification is key.
Be sure to place wearable identification on yourself and your loved ones. Especially children or adults with special needs. We know many people with Autism wander (e.g. elopement). In the event of being separated, it would be very important to have identification on their person. There are many wearable items – including medical alert necklaces and bracelets. And, it has become more commonplace to use “tracker” devices – such as the Apple AirTag, Android Tile, and Galaxy SmartTag. A little investment could be a lifesaver – literally!
In closing, the key to travel for anyone, including people with disabilities or challenges, is to 1) Plan and be prepared 2) Communicate with airlines, hotels, etc. any special assistance you may need 3) Read reviews on multiple sources to be sure that you have the full picture of what to expect and/or consider using a travel serivce to help you plan for this special vacation.
During a recent vacation, I found myself simply engrossed and enchanted by the cobblestone streets of southern Spain and Portugal. Hundreds of “snapped” photos found their way onto the camera roll of my iPhone 14 Pro Max. Each time I would try to imagine the lives of the people who lived on the streets where I was capturing these images. Were these people happy? Did this roadway have significance in history? How different were the lives of these residents than mine? If we somehow could do a “time traveler” experience – would we find our worlds to be similar or vastly different? Yes, I went “deep” with my thoughts. But, you only need to feel the cobblestone beneath your feet to let your imagination wander and wonder.
When I returned home, I realized I had hundreds of photos that chronicled our vacation – a large majority were streets, doors, and windows. Here are some of my favorite “snaps” of the streets, It is shameful that I didn’t take the time to learn more about these regions before we landed in Madrid. But, I am determined to study these areas now. And by all means, if you have any information about these places – please let me know in the comments. (Historical or ancestry links welcome.)
TOLEDO,MALAGA, MARBELLA, RONDA, and CADIZ
Toledo – A walk through a most important historical time for Spain
Toledo is a walled city where you can still walk through the doors that once welcomed carriages with royalty and soldiers protecting the area. It also is the home to the fictional, but in my mind very real, Don Quixote (a novel by Cervantes and the inspiration of the musical – Man of La Mancha). It is almost as if Cervantes’ words come alive as you walk from street to street. Toledo is an extraordinary place. Put it on your travel list. And wear shoes that are for walking on cobblestones! I would not recommend driving a car in this city. Take public transportation (e.g. Renfe train) or hire a car service, such as Daytrip.
Tip:
An empty street can be just as wonderful to photograph as one that is bustling with people.
CADIZ, SPAIN
Cadiz is a town we knew nothing about until…we found out that Real Madrid and FC Cadiz were playing during the time we would be visiting. Whoosh! We were off to Cadiz and collectively, our family thought it was AMAZING! A very walkable city – this place is chocked full of history, great music, shopping, and sports! Plus, you feel like you are at the end of the world because of the way the sunset hits the Mediterranean Sea.
RONDA, SPAIN
When it comes to a town that must have stories to tell – I think of Ronda, Spain. Orson Wells once called this place home.
This small city/ large village is atop a mountain. It takes about an hour to drive from Marbella to Ronda – up a very, very, very windy road – but it is worth the effort. There is a train and you can hire a car service or Uber – but be warned. These roads can be treacherous in the fog, rain, or at night (if you don’t know where you are going.)
However, once you arrive in Ronda you will be glad you endured whatever inconvenience you had. The views go on for miles. Plus there are bridges and olive groves that make this city so picturesque and worth the 100+ photos I took. Even the oldest bullfighting ring is in the town center – and that too, had cobblestone and tile features.
Ronda Rhonda Bullring
Tip: Know that unexpected photography opportunities may be on top of steep mountains!
MARBELLA – MALAGA
It is probably unfair to group Marbella and Malaga together. Each has their own unique vibe. Marbella is more quaint with a few attractions, but mainly shops, restaurants, and streets where families meet, children play, and couples walk hand in hand. Some celebrities do call Marbella their second home – but we didn’t spot anyone that we recognized. No biggie. We live in Los Angeles – the epicenter for celebrity spottings.
Marbella is famous for the “cute factor”, too – including the decorated bikes that adorn their streets. They share this “thing” with Malaga. I for one was in love with the idea of repurposing old bikes as art! ( Wouldn’t it be nice if we could adopt this trend in the United States!)
Malaga has much more energy when compared to Marbella. When we visited Malaga it was almost frenetic. We figured out this was because the Christmas lighting festival was to begin that day. Thus, the streets were all aglow! Malaga also has numerous art galleries in its central district. The creativity spills out onto the streets with beautiful sculptures, fountains, gardens, and building designs.
TIP: Malaga is the birthplace of Picasso. The museum that was once his home is across from a lovely city square.
Málaga central cultural squareCentral. DistrictAlacazaba of Malaga
NORTHERN PORTUGAL- PORTO, AVEIRO, COSTA NOVA, and NAZARE
PORTO-GAIA
Porto- Gaia are gorgeous! But be warned – this city is nothing but serious walking up and down hills that are STEEP. (Wheelchairs will have a challenge, for sure.) For those who do not want to walk these steep areas consider UBER (easily available) or staying closer to the river where the landscape is flatter. Also, note that “rules of the road” are loosely followed. So look before you walk across any streets! You also can use one of the numerous boats that travel around the city and between Porto and Gaia. Parking is INSANE, so don’t drive here. Really – use an alternate way to arrive and leave. You will thank me for this piece of advice later.
Porto can be crowded – especially at the holidaysBordered on the waterfrontStreet squares are popular in Porto and Gaia (its’ sister city)TukTuks make traversing the cobblestone streets easierDon’t plan on driving – these streets are narrowEnjoy the various types of street art in Porto and throughout Portugal
AVEIRO – COSTA NOVA – NAZARE
One cannot help but make a comparison between Venice, Italy, and Aveiro, Portugal. That is because of the “barcos moliceiros” that line the rivers/canals that flow through this city. I can’t say enough positive about Aveiro and the nearby area of Costa Nova. Charming. Delightful. Safe. Quiet. And during December – heavenly! I understand that summertime is hot and wall-to-wall tourists – so I am glad we visited in December.
The ribbons on the streets below signify a university student having completed a course. The houses with stripes are from Costa Nova.
NAZARE – Where 100 Foot Waves “Visit”
If you are a fan of the HBO documentary- The 100 FOOT WAVE – then you must put Nazare on your list of places to visit in Portugal. While there, don’t forget to take notice of the streets that hold so much history of this fishing village. These are proud people with deep religious roots and the church dedicated to fishermen is a very humbling reminder of the dangers of these seas.
SurfboardsNazare
Obidos a medieval castle
Obidos is very pretty to photograph. And, we happened to visit on a day it was misty rain. The cobblestones were exceptionally wet, but I think the photos came out far more interesting than if it was a clear sunny day.
Cobblestones of ObidosObidosObidosObidos
Tip: Your pictures don’t need to be perfect. Just meaningful to you. These are the moments that are important to you – capture them, enjoy them, and save them.
LISBON
Last but not least I want to highlight the streets of glorious Lisbon. Here in southern Portugal, you find streets filled with motorcycles, tuk-tuks, people walking about, and artwork- including the iconic work of Arturo Boralo II .
This is another city that is hilly and hard to traverse – but worth it. We hired a driver and his covered tuk-tuk (good call as it started to rain) – to cover as much ground as we could in a short amount of time.
A Life Lesson
When we travel we sometimes look at the grandness of our adventure. The well-known landmarks, museums, or restaurants. But, I want the intent of this blog to remind you to stop and enjoy the simplistic elements of your surroundings – including the streets that are filled with history and life lessons.
Tip: BACK UP YOUR PHOTOS – DAILY
Enough said.
About these photos.
The photos in the blog are unfiltered, not retouched (other than cropping), and my own. Please do not snatch them, borrow them, or think they would make a great addition to your content without expressed permission from me – Louise Sattler.
Comment:
Please feel free to comment, share your tips, and give me guidance about the history of this area. I am a lifelong learner – so go ahead and comment!
¡Me encanta españa! I love Spain! The land of fine wine, olives, Don Quixote, tapas, Picasso, and so much more!
Preparing and taking nearly a month-long trip was quite a feat – especially when it came to the coordination of trains, planes, boats, and automobiles. Many blogs will tell you advice on how to book a flight or a hotel. I want to give you some insight for the ‘stuff’ you may not have put on your “to-do” list.
TEN TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO SPAIN
Before you set foot on the plane (or train, ship, or car…) consider the following ten suggestions:
TIP 1 – PACK SMART
I believe in packing smart. There is no need to pack for a trip to Europe your entire closet. Instead, try to pack with intention. Bring some clothes for the various kinds of climates. Are you planning on walking the streets – think cobblestones- almost everywhere – so don’t pack high heels! Common sense shoes, boots, sneakers, and sandals should do the trick! Try to pack a coat that doubles as a good and foul-weather jacket. Gloves, hats, and scarves are an excellent addition during the colder months. (And remember, if you forget something there ARE stores in Spain!)
TIP 2- BRING EUROS
Convert some American dollars to EUROS before traveling. Surprisingly, many taxi drivers, restaurants, and “tiendas” only accepted efectivo (cash). This was especially true in smaller villages.
TIP 3- BRING AN ELECTRICAL CONVERTER
Spain (and Portugal, among other European countries) do not have outlets the same as the United States. Their electrical current is different as the United States runs on 110 current while Spain uses the voltage of 220V. So, purchase a converter and bring it with you (carry-on luggage).
Chances are you are on limited time for your trip – so why waste it waiting on long lines? Skip the queues and treat yourself to a VIP experience, such as a guided tour of the PRADO MUSEUMor the Royal Palace. If nothing else, pay a little extra to skip the line and grab an audio headset.
TIP 5 – SEE FLAMENCO! (See below for MY recommendation)
TIP 6 – RIDE A TUK-TUK
We treated ourselves to a tuk-tuk tour in Madrid and loved every second. It was a highlight of our trip! A tuk-tuk is an electric vehicle that resembles a golf cart on “steroids”. It is an efficient and economical way to get around a city and enjoy the sights and sounds of an area. Having a knowledgeable driver is a bonus. So, on our inaugural European tuk-tuk ride, we not only received a quick history lesson but also our driver, Fernando, meandered streets that were off the regular tourist trail. This meant we got to see how “the non-tourist population of Madrid” lived. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute and would highly suggest grabbing one of the hundreds of tuk-tuks throughout Spain.
Note: A tuk-tuk may not be accessible for those who use a wheelchair. There are different types.
TIP 6: TRAVEL BY TRAIN
In the United States, we often jump in our cars to go from place to place. But, in Europe, the train system is much more extensive and a very popular mode of transportation. It also is cheap and easy to use. We took the train from the ATOCHA train station to both Toledo and Malaga, Spain. The RENFE train has comfy seats, is kept very clean, and is equipped with ample bathroom facilities. Note: There may be an issue for people with mobility to access the train- so, please check and plan ahead for help on and off trains at certain stations.
TIP 7: LEARN SPANISH PHRASES and KEYWORDS
If you are traveling to a foreign country that does not speak your native language (e.g. English) – then do yourself a favor and learn a few phrases and words to communicate. Truly- ten phrases and a few courtesy words for please, thank you, and you are welcome – could make a huge difference. There are so many ways to learn, especially Spanish! And, as an extra support be sure to download a translation app, too!
TIP 8. EAT WHERE THE LOCALS EAT
There are so many amazing places to eat – and so little time!
But here are some of my favorites that we explored during our journey throughout the middle and southern parts of Spain:
Madrid: TAPAS (small platters of foods that are so yummy)! There are so many great places to get tapas in Madrid. One of our favorites was near Plaza Mayor – Meson del Champinon
This place is extraordinary and has some of the best food I have EVER enjoyed. We treated ourselves to the Flamenco dinner show that runs a few nights a week. Usually, a combo dinner and show means they are both good -but not great. However, in this circumstance BOTH the food at THE FARM and the FLAMENCO performance were AMAZING!
So, do check out THE FARM, located in the heart of old-town Marbella. Be sure to order the pumpkin soup if it is on the menu! RESERVATIONS ARE A MUST!
THE BEST SOUP EVER
TIP 10: SNAP and WRITE
Snap those photos as one of the most treasured souvenirs you will ever have. And be sure to write down your thoughts and memories. In years to come you will be glad you did!
Enjoy these photos from Madrid, Malaga, Cadiz, and Marbella!
Coming up soon will be additional photo/ essay blogs including about..
TOLEDO, SPAIN, AVEIRO/ COSTA NOVA, PORTUGAL, and hints for traveling to Spain and Portugal if you have special needs.
As we say goodbye to yet another year, I want to take a moment to wish each of you a very happy, healthy, calm, and peaceful 2024.
And ask a favor.
I know our world has been “upside down” for an eternity. No sooner did we catch our literal “breath” from a pandemic – than thousands around the world (and at “home) were subjected to unfathomable acts of violence against humanity – especially towards innocent children.
“Never Again” seems like an empty phrase.
This much I know…that as a psychologist many of our children (young and teens) are distraught. They are withdrawn or expressing BIG FEELINGS because they are trying to make sense of a world that is overwhelming.
Please make an effort during 2024 to take the time to show kindness towards a child outside of your immediate family. Perhaps become a mentor or volunteer in a school or at a local organization, help collect school supplies or food, offer a teen a job or donate to a child-centric charity. Perhaps even help a child by helping their parents. An hour to babysit may seem like nothing to you but for a mom who needs a break – this could be HUGE and give a child much-needed additional attention.
And most of all – listen. Take the time to listen to the kids in your community.
I hope that together we will be able to give the children of our world a chance to experience CHILDHOOD versus an expedited ADULTHOOD.
Thank you for reading this message. Please add your ideas or share how you will be helping a child or children this coming year.
NO! NO! NO! yells a child as he is flailing on his first-grade classroom floor! The teacher is bewildered as all she did was ask the child to come to the reading circle. Instead, of compliance, her request was met with this volatile reaction. Yesterday, the same child ran around the classroom to avoid participating in a group activity. Clearly, change does not come easy to this student.
These scenarios are real – taken from just a few of the many, many, many accounts I have heard from teachers (and parents) of their students and children who have major challenges with transitioning from a preferred to a non-preferred activity. Routine schedules are essential for many of these kiddos and any alteration is met with objection.
To offer support to the adults who are faced with the monumental task of helping a child in their midst how to learn to pivot in the course of their day – I am offering this article as a kind of “roadmap”. Included are directions on how to create a few strategies to help calm or prevent the seismic behavioral eruptions that can occur when a child with an atypical response to change or flexing their schedule is expected to comply.
Keep in mind that this child is not intentionally being bad, but, perhaps doesn’t have the tools to easily negotiate from activity to activity.
The techniques you will find below are not difficult to implement if used consistently.
Here are the steps to how to create and activate a visual chart system that offers signals for transitions within a child’s daily schedule.
Create a list of your child’s or student’s daily activities. This will be important as you will assemble a deck of cards with each activity on a card.
Step 2 is to create a DAILY ACTIVITY CHART that communicates to the child their daily routine. For a younger child or one who cannot handle a board with a schedule of more than one or two activities – you can use a simpler alternative version -the CHOICES chart.
When you decide on which DAILY ACTIVITY CHART is best for your child / student then you can assemble it. Be sure to chat with the child/student that this chart is to help them feel understood and that you know that change is difficult. Validate that they have “big feelings”. Allow them the time and space to process that there will be modifications to their regular routine. Be sure to let them actively participate in the process by having them help to create their Daily Activity Chart. Listen to their concerns and apprehensions. Assure them they are not being punished.
Next, once the chart has been created, introduce the child/student to the variety of activity cards that will fill their schedule. Demonstrate how the cards can be positioned and are in the order of events for the day. Then show them the transition cards and how they can be used to to help as a signal that a change will happen. If possible, practice with the chart and cards before using them in “real time.” Consider doing role play – where the child can be the “teacher”.
Note, also there are charts and cards that can be used to communicate FEELINGS and NEEDS. These are additional to the DAILY ACTIVITY CHART– and very helpful for a child to use when they don’t have the ability to express themselves fully. (Or they want to be stealth about signaling their needs – such as a request for a 3-minute “brain break”)
Also you can invite the child / student to suggest any activities, needs, or feelings that are not part of the “deck”. (Especially older students.)
Next there are cards for the adults to communicate to the class or an individual- such a QUIET or 1-2-3-TIME
Data Collection is the last step. This is when you can determine if there were positive outcomes as a result to implementing these “tools”.
MATERIALS NEEDED
Poster board or paper
Tape or velcro.
The cards can be copied and printed or laminated. I sent mine out as jpegs and made into 4 x6 inch photo quality pictures.
Below you will find copies of the charts and samples of the cards I have created (thanks to Canva). You may download them for free.
If you wish to download the entire set of templates and cards- scroll to the bottom of the article and press the DOWNLOAD ALL CHART TEMPLATES button and the DOWNLOAD ALL CARDS button.
Lastly, let me know if these techniques/ charts/ cards work and if you have anything to add?
STEP 1- CREATE A LIST OF ACTIVITES
STEP 2 - CREATE THE DAILY ACTIVITY CHART
Once you identified the activities that your child / student will encounter during the day – create their visual schedule. I have created some examples for you in this blog.
This schedule template is blank with two columns and several rows. You will see that the columns are named USUAL SCHEDULE and CHANGE TO SCHEDULE. You can name your columns anything you wish – I just happened to use these titles.
NEED A SMALLER CHART?
Sometimes a full-day schedule may be overwhelming for a child to handle. If this is the case we can modify the presentation to a smaller sized chart.
An alternate is the chart called – CHOICES. Let us suppose that a student doesn’t want to do math or reading. They are both nonpreferred activities. But, by giving them a choice of which one to do first – they may feel empowered and will more likely complete the tasks.
You also can have a “deck” of activities and have the student pick two of the cards. All the cards in the deck are tasks that need to completed, but the student will feel that they get to determine their destiny by opting their top two choices.
ALTERNATE CHART:: CHOICES
The student is handed a CHOICES chart. They are asked to select two cards from a deck of four options. You can add preferred and nonpreferred activities to the deck or all of one kind (preferred or nonpreferred.) You can opt to have less or more options, as well.
Here is an example of a blank CHOICES CHART.
STEP 3: Be sure to include the child / student as part of the process.
STEP 4: Introduce the DAILY ACTIVITY and TRANSITION CARDS
SAMPLE ACTIVITY CARDS
About the Activity Cards:
These cards are of common actinides and SIGNALS for TRANSITIONS.
Here are some of the cards I constructed, but you are more than welcome to create your own!
REMINDER: The full deck is available at the bottom of this article.
STEP 5: ADDITIONAL "ADD-ONS"
“ADD – ONs ” include charts and cards that allow the child/ student to convey their FEELINGS and/or NEEDS.
Communication is key to helping a child cope
with change.
SIGNAL CARDS for the GROWN-UPS to USE
There may be times when an adult (parent or teacher) needs to use a cue card to relay information. Such as giving a three-minute “warning” that an activity is about to change.
LAST STEP: DATA COLLECTION
How do you know if these techniques are working?
Whenever you start a new “strategy” to help modify and/or regulate behaviors – you probably want to keep track of the effectiveness of the program. Realize, however, that you can expect an “uptick” of negative behaviors after you start. Why? Think of it this way. Have you ever wanted to start a good behavior – such as exercising daily -and then you realize after the first day it is HARD work! So, you want to quit! That is what may happen for a short time here, too.
To combat some of that “backsliding”, consider using praise (lots of it) for any attempts the child makes to comply with following the system (transition). Also, a token economy (tangible incentives like stickers, privileges, etc.) can be very helpful with a child “buying in” to this new system.
Be sure to document each day so you and your child can see the changes- hopefully for the better. An easy way is to just use /// marks as a way of tabulation each time that the child uses a chart successfully. And an XXX mark for when the chart was “in play”, but the child did not respond as expected. Use the chart below to help collect data and see if progress is being made or if you need different strategies or interventions.
Negative behaviors can be considered as 1)Non-compliant,2)Aggressive, or 3)Disruptive. Examples of these could be: 1) No, I won’t do it, 2) No I won’t do it and I will rip up the chart, 3) No I won’t do it and I’ll yell and have a major meltdown to disrupt the classroom environment and have everyone stop and pay attention to me.
I hope that the content of this article helps families and educators who are looking for techniques and actual hands-on tools which calmly allow a child to adapt to transitions.
I welcome any of your suggestions or feedback on these. Also, I am always curious if you enjoy the information and articles on this blog.
Which are your favorites?
What would you like to see more of here on LouiseSattler.com?
Use the comment section below to let me know your thoughts!
This is going to be one of the most random posts I have ever made. But writing about painting rocks seems far better than the reality of what is happening in our world. So, allow me a few minutes of fun and a chance to tell you about my new hobby.
The HOW? WHY? WHERE? WHAT?
During the Covid-19 Pandemic – when we were all “housebound” and staying miles away from each other, I discovered a group on Facebook – San Pedro Rocks. Apparently, this large-ish group of people were making a sport of hiding rocks around various fun locations in San Pedro, California. Especially near the waterfront, marina, and parks. It was a way to get fresh air without being around people who weren’t in your “safe pod”.
And as fate would have it, I found a few rocks just by happenstance – but didn’t pay much attention to the “sport” of rock painting and hiding.
Then one day I discovered I had some spare paint and a few flat rocks in my garden. What the heck! I had leftover transfers from my DIY furniture and some paint – I could make a few rocks! After more than a couple of tries (it is an art form, after all), I then hid them among some bushes in the “key areas” listed on the Facebook page and waited to see if anyone posted that they found them. And they did! Instant gratification that my rocks were now “Facebook page worthy!”
So, I decided to create a few more painted rocks – and then more and then more! And, as long as I was decorating rocks I might as well look for more myself. This time with purpose! And I did. And I found quite a few. I only kept the one pictured here (the fish) because it was too cute to hide again! (By the way, the rules of the club are that you keep it or hide it again- your choice!)
The one I kept!
You may ask, Are there any substantial benefits to joining a rock club? Yes, there are!
For starters, looking for and hiding rocks gave me a reason to get out of my house, socialize, and walk a bunch of steps! I have met some very nice people along the way. I also was able to use my brain for something new – and that was refreshing!
And I learned that every rock I found seemed to tell a story. There are rocks made by the little kids in the neighborhood who want to participate alongside their parents and grandparents. They add cute stickers and make lots of rainbows! And then there are the retirees who love it when people find their rocks- they take this endeavor very seriously! A few people are actual “artists” and their designs are AMAZING!
Here are some of the designs I created (again using paint and some transfers). I hope that if you have any rock painting tips you will throw them in the comments.
And, as always I wish you the very best. Plus, this week I am adding – may there be peace – worldwide.
