Evelyn Vrouwenfelder’s Post

Let's Get Playing! Celebrating the Power of Play on International Day of Play Today, on the International Day of Play, we celebrate the fundamental right of all children to play! Play isn't just about fun and games (although that's important too!). It's a critical part of a child's development, fostering: Cognitive skills: Problem-solving, creativity, and imagination soar through play. Social skills: Playgrounds become classrooms for communication, collaboration, and empathy. Physical development: Running, jumping, and building gross motor skills happen naturally through play. Emotional well-being: Play allows children to express themselves, manage stress, and build resilience. But what can we do? We all have a role to play (see what we did there? ) in championing children's right to play. Here are some ideas: Parents and caregivers: Put down the devices and dedicate time for unstructured play. Educators: Integrate playful learning activities into the classroom. Businesses: Support initiatives that create safe and accessible play spaces in communities. Everyone: Advocate for the importance of play! Share your stories and use #InternationalDayofPlay to raise awareness. Let's work together to ensure every child has the opportunity to play and reach their full potential. What are your favorite childhood play memories? Share them in the comments! #ChildrensRights #Development #Learning #Community #Fun

Language is constantly evolving. Perkins School for the Blind has put together a short guide to how disability language and terms are evolving and why. https://lnkd.in/eqHK4f5s

🌍 Today is the International Day of Tolerance 🌍 As dads, we play a big role in raising the next generation with open minds and compassionate hearts. Here are some ways to promote tolerance and respect in our kids: 💖 Make them feel valued and loved. A child who feels accepted learns to accept others. 🌎 Introduce them to new places, people, and cultures through books, music, and events. 👍 Use positive comments to guide their behavior. 💬 Offer alternatives instead of saying “No”—try “Be gentle” or “Let’s take turns.” 👀 Model tolerance yourself. Kids learn by watching how we treat others! Let’s work together to raise kids who embrace diversity and respect others. 💪 How do you encourage tolerance in your family? Share your tips! 💬 #DayofTolerance #StayAtHomeDad #Fatherhood #Parenthood #FatherhoodMatters #DadsDontBabysit #NoDadAlone

As your daughter grows, teaching her about boundaries and consent becomes increasingly important. Starting these conversations early and using clear, respectful language helps build her understanding and confidence. How do you approach these discussions with your child? Share your tips and connect with our community to support each other. https://lnkd.in/e4hp_zpj #BoundariesAndConsent #BlackAutisticGirls #Empowerment

🤔 Do you know how systemic racism can show up in preschool? Check out the facts in this Insta. Credit (Tiktok): joelbervell #medicaltiktok #medicalfacts #USfacts #Blackfacts #Africanfacts #Worldfacts #themoreyouknow

Now that August is here, we know for many of you across the country back to school is creeping up - or may already even be here. One of our most popular resources, all about preparing students with intellectual disabilities for college, is available for free to print or download on our website at https://buff.ly/30GJKt2. Do you have any tips that worked well for you or your student? Let us know in the comments! 👇

The Decline of Childhood Freedom: How It Impacts Confidence In this video, we explore the declining freedom of childhood and its effect on children's confidence and decision-making abilities. #DecliningFreedom #ChildhoodExperience #ConfidenceBuilding #DecisionMaking #OutdoorPlay #ParentalSupervision #LetThemPlay #ChildhoodDevelopment #ChildrensRights #GrowingUpToday #ImpossibleDecision

Clare County Council through the Clare Autism Aware programme are delighted to support an inclusive university- school-community initiative in collaboration with St Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point, Mullagh National School, Clare Sports Partnership, Dr Susan Crawford of GetAutismActive.com and MTU Tralee. The initiative sees neurotypical and autistic students participating in fundamental movement programmes together to develop skills together while also promoting inclusion. Another output from the Clare Autism Aware programme has been the publication of the Communication Boards Guide and Inclusive Playgrounds Advisory Report to assist in the guidance and delivery of inclusive Playgrounds.

Check out this week's blog, Because Independence Matters! by Lannette Burlingame, R7 Special Ed Specialist. Discover how fostering independence in students, especially those with disabilities, can help them achieve confidence and self-reliance. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3Wh5oAY