SUMMER $1 Movies for KIDS

Looking to get out of the heat for a bit??!!

4 WEEKS LEFT! Bring your family to the movies for $1.00!!!! 

Check out the NEW Sensory Garden NOW OPEN at Woodland Park Zoo

This Summer a new Sensory Garden opened at the Woodland Park Zoo!! 

Enhanced sensing elements and accessible for everyone!

World Origami Days

October 24th through November 11th is "World Origami Days." 

World Origami days began on October 24th and will last until November 11th.

October 24th is the birthday of Lillian Oppenheimer (1898 - 1992), who founded the first origami group in America. November 11th is Origami Day in Japan where the paper crane has become a symbol of peace. 

Celebrate by creating your own origami creation! 

Click here for a link to an online template for creating the paper crane!

International Augmentative & Alternative Communication Awareness Month

October is the International AAC Awareness month!

PrAACticialAAC.org has many resources to help raise awareness of AAC and resources for those who have devices. 

This site also has a printable file flip chart called "Everyone Deserves a Voice" AAC Strategies for Success. 

Here is a blurb from the pamphlet: 

Students who use AAC need their communication systems within arms reach at all times. If you can see the student, you should also be able to see their AAC. Its never okay to turn it off or take it away. For students to learn to use AAC, they need to see adults & peers using it, too. Immerse them in an environment that is rich in AAC use throughout the day. Point to the AAC symbols as you speak. Use the AAC devise or app OR make a non-electoronic mock-up. 

We have a laminated version of this flip chart in our lobby at all times. 

However, during this month we will have multiple on the desk for you to take home and share with friends and family! 

Screen Time

As technology continues to grow, there is a common concern of language development in young children who spend ample amount of time on tablets. 

A study from the University of Toronto found that every 30 minutes of daily screen usage increases a child's risk of developing speech and language delays by 49% for ages 6 months to 2 years. They specifically found that there were difficulties with expressive language. However, the author cautions that their study does show a direct correlation between device use and language difficulties but there needs to be more research completed in order to signify the correlation. 

So how much screen time should you allow your child to have?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time at all for children younger than 18 months. Children learn language by exposure, and birth to 2 or 3 year range is a time of massive advances in language development. 

Of course, Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) is an exception as it is vital in the development of language for non-verbal users. 

Special Olympics 2018

The 2018 USA Games Special Olympics will be held in Seattle! 

The Special Olympics goes from June 30th - July 6th with a special Independence Day celebration!

June 30, 2018 - Welcome Day at SeaTac Airport

July 1, 2018 - Opening Ceremony at Husky Stadium

July 1st - July 5th - Games and Activities 

• University of Washington - Athletics, Basketball, Bocce, Flag Football, Powerlifting, Tennis, Volleyball
• Angle Lake - Stand-up Paddle Board
• Celebration Park - Softball
• Kenmore Lanes - Bowling
• Seattle Pacific University - Gymnastics
• Seattle University - Basketball, Soccer
• King County Aquatic Center - Swimming
• Willows Run Golf Club - Golf

July 6th - Closing Ceremony at Lake Union Park

Check out their website for more information and to see how you can contribute! 

Library Cards Benefits!

Did you know that each county library offers free tickets to museums/attractions in their local area?! You can "check out" admission passes at the library just like you can check out a book! Click the links below to learn more about specific Libraries/cards!

King County Library Card Holders:

• Washington State History Museum - Admission for up to 2 adults and 4 children
• Bellevue Arts Museum - Admission for up to 2
• KidsQuest Children's Museum - Admission for up to 2 

Pierce County Library Card Holders:

• Museum of Glass - Admission for up to 2 adults and unlimited children
• Tacoma Art Museum - Admission of up to 4 (children under 5 are always free) 
• Washington State History Museum - Admission of up to 2 adults and unlimited children

Seattle Public Library Card Holders:

• Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum - Admission for 2
• Burke Museum - Admission for 2
• Center for Wooden Boats - One hour row boat rental for one adult at 3 others on Lake Union
• Museum of Pop Culture (Formally EMP) - Admission for 2 adults and 2 children
• Henry Art Gallery - Admission for 2 adults and all children are free
• Living Computer: Museum and Labs - Admission for 2 (children under 5 are free.) 
• LogHouse Museum - Admission for 4
• Museum of Flight - Admission for 2 adults and 2 children (children under 4 are free)
• Museum of History & Industry - Admission for 2 (Children 14 & under are free) 
• Northwest African American Museum - Admission for 4
• Nordic Heritage Museum - Admission for 2
• Seattle Art Museum - Admission for 2
• Seattle Aquarium - Admission for 2 (Children under 3 are free)
• Wing Luke Museum - Admission for 2

Summer Sensory Activities

There are many benefits of sensory activities. 

Sensory play is extremely beneficial to children with developmental delays and is often used in Sensory Integration Therapy. It has been proven that sensory integration therapy improves daily function in children with autism. 

It's not just children who have difficulty with sensory integration who benefit from sensory play; it's all children!

These activities help to stimulate your child's senses: touch, smell, taste, movement, balance, sight and hearing. Sensory play also supports language development, cognitive growth, fine & gross motor skills, problem solving skills, and social interaction. 

Frozen Fractals Ice Art is an activity I recommend you try this summer. This activity allows your child to have creative freedom and is less structured than others. It is a messy activity, so make sure you take it outside on a sunny day! 

Erupting Ice Chalk is another outdoor activity I highly recommend! Just make sure when it is time for the vinegar portion of this activity that your child does not touch their eyes. 

Click here for more sensory activities to try this summer!

Summer Camps for Children with Special Needs

Are you looking for camps for your child to attend this summer? 

Seattle Children's Center for Special Needs has created an entire directory of special needs summer camps! 

Click here to navigate the online directory

Click here to see the entire directory in PDF