LIFE WITH CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY PET



For many of us, pets are an important part of our lives.  I have enjoyed the companionship of a family pet most of my life.  A gentle and loyal German Shepard, a trouble-making thief of a cat named Alex and a small terrier-mix with an extremely large personality are to name a few of the animals that have kept my secrets, demonstrated endless patience with me and loved me unconditionally. 

Here are some benefits of owning a family pet:

• Taking care of a pet can help children develop social skills.

• Developing positive feelings about pets can contribute to a child's self-esteem and self-confidence.

• Positive relationships with pets can aid in the development of trusting relationships with others.

• A good relationship with a pet can also help in developing non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy.

• They provide a connection to nature.

• They can teach respect for other living things.

• They can be safe recipients of secrets and private thoughts--children often talk to their pets, like they do their stuffed animals.

• Physical activity

The Scottish terrier featured in this blog is our 11-year-old dog, Bailey.  (This time of year, though, she is also known as Noel, Santa’s Christmas dog.)

http://aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/pets_and_children



Carolina Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Partners In Learning was honored to be asked to attend the preview night of the Carolina Christmas at the Charlotte Motor Speedway by Miller Davis Studios.We were told we could take two bus loads full of children and it would all be free.  I decided to invite our staff with children and families of children of special needs first.  I was going to open the remainder of the seats to the rest of our families.  I began by sending out an email to my staff and families of children with special needs.  To my surprise, within 2 days I had filled two buses with mostly families of children with special needs.  Everyone was so grateful for the opportunity to attend the event.  We had a wonderful time and you can read more about the magical night in the Salisbury Post.

 

What's Cooking?

Mommy and Madison, 5, making homemade macaroni and cheese. We layer macaroni noodles, shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese, and cheese sauce: a blend of milk, flour, egg and extra sharp cheddar cheese

Chef Madison say: Cheese....

The end result after 30 minutes of baking in the oven: Homemade MACARONI-N-CHEESE! Yummy...

Cedric Jr. "CJ", 20 months, learning how to chop celery at the PUSH of a button!

Time to EAT!

Involve your children in food shopping and preparing meals. It gives you the opportunity to teach your children about nutrition, and provide your kids with a feeling of accomplishment. Children will be more willing to eat or try foods that they help prepare.




Michelle Macon, Program Coordinator

IF YOU WANT TO ENJOY A GUILT-FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER, PERHAPS YOU SHOULD AVOID READING THIS BLOG

The holidays are upon us again. We’ll celebrate them with friends, family, gifts, lights, decorated trees and homes and food-----lots of food. I hate to be the Thanksgiving spoiler, but let’s look at the caloric content of a typical Thanksgiving dinner.
Before dinner snacks:
1 celery stalk with cream cheese 45
1 cracker with cheese 70
1 ounce tortilla or potato chips 150
1 tablespoon dip for chips 75

Beverages:
1 mixed drink 250
1 glass wine 120
1 glass cider or sparkling grape juice 120
1 cup eggnog 343

Dinner:
6 ounces cured ham 300
6 ounces white and dark turkey 340
½ cup stuffing 180
½ cup cranberry sauce 190
½ cup mashed potatoes 150
½ cup gravy 150
1 baked potato with sour cream 150
½ cup green bean casserole 225
½ cup candied sweet potatoes 150
1 dinner roll 110
1 pat of butter 20

Dessert:
2 small chocolate chip cookies 150
1 piece apple pie (1/8 of 9-in pie) 410
1 piece pecan pie (1/8 of 9-in pie) 480
1 piece pumpkin pie (1/8 of 9-in pie) 180
½ cup whipped cream 75
½ cup ice cream 145
1 small piece of fudge 70

You do the math.
http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blthanksgivingcalories.htm
Katherine Generaux, Community Inclusion Director

Tips for keeping children with Autism safe

One of the many challenges in cring for a child with autism is that they could wander or run off at any moment, without any warning.  This happened recently in Salisbury.  See the article below:

The all-out search Sunday afternoon for a 21/2-year-old boy ended happily for his family and rescue teams when he was found sitting quietly in tall weeds just 30 feet from the end of his parents’ yard.

During the two-hour search, numerous people were within a few feet of David Croyle without knowing it. The youngster displays autistic-type behavior and has therapists who visit him weekly at his Archer Farm Drive home.   He ... READ MORE

 These tips below may help:

• Use a stop sign and teach your child how to stop and go using the sign.  It may take months/years to teach this new skill.

• Use baby M&M's (or his favorite treat) to get your child to come to you when you call his name.   Get the entire family too assist in this.  Call him/her, dad brings him to you, to clap really big and give him a tiny treat.  Repeat it several times every day.

• If your child ever wanders off, call 911 immediately.  Let them know that the child has autism and will not answer or come to his name. 

• Inform Your Neighbors – Give them a handout with a picture of your child, physical characteristics, emergency contact information and details about how to effectively approach/communicate with and calm your child.

• Place STOP or DO NOT ENTER signs on doors – These powerful visual cues and reminders can help stop a child from wandering.

• Secure Your Home – Use deadbolt locks, keep doors and windows locked and install an alarm system/alert, chimes on doors. Consider motion detectors and window bars.

• Teach Your Child to Swim as soon as possible – Because people with autism are drawn to water, such as pools, ponds and lakes, swimming lessons can be invaluable.

• * Eliminate Triggers for Wandering – If your child has a fixation on certain sounds or objects that draw him/her to investigate and wander, eliminate those distractions when ever possible

• Get an ID Bracelet/Necklace – List emergency contact information on personal IDs and on tags for personal belongings. Another idea is to place the emergency information in their shoe.  Police know to look there

• Use a Monitor/Camera at Bedtime – A sound or video monitor provides constant surveillance, even when you are in a different room.

• Install a Fence – Set latches high and out of reach on the outside of gates.

Norma Honeycutt, Early Intervention Specialist