Week 4!! Our Learning Environment

In the past couple of weeks we have been trying to figure out how our kids work best, whether in groups or not, the environment, and what kind of activities. It has been a little bit of a struggle, but we are now starting to get a really good grasp at what is needed. We have realized that L would do a lot better in a smaller environment, perhaps using the racquetball courts, or by just directing his focus away from the other groups by having him face away from them while we give instructions. I’ve noticed with BV that, although he could use some focus on social interactions, perhaps a large area isn’t the best setting. It would be better to have a smaller setting and fewer people to slowly get him better with social interactions. After noticing this, we have decided to try something completely new this coming up week. We are going to take L and BV to the racquetball courts. This way they can still learn how to interact with other children, but they don’t have such a large room with so many unneeded distractions. By using the small area of the court, we can focus more on their interactions with each other including encouragement, communication, teamwork, and even following directions. I am really excited about trying this new approach. I really think it will help both kids to improve a lot.

                I still feel like I am struggling a little in the pool with BV, but because I think I am getting a better handle on the land-based activities, it will give me more time to focus on how to get him to pay better attention in the pool. BV absolutely LOVES diving for rings I want to be able to just let him dive the whole time, but I know we need to try and work on some swimming skills as well. I can get him to do a few things, but I can tell his focus is on “when can we play with the rings?” Last week, however, I feel like he began to show some improvement. I got him to go around on a kickboard for almost half the time. We just practiced kicking; little kicks, big kicks, slow kicks, fast kicks. I want to try and do the same thing again this week, but hopefully try and do it so that he pays more attention to his surroundings at the same time. Maybe we will try a game of Red Light/Green Light.  

                During the first couple of weeks I was worried about not meeting the needs of the kids of our group because of their disabilities. I was worried I wouldn’t know how to implement the “right techniques” or learning styles in order to be the most effective. However, I have realized that all the techniques I would use for “regular” students are the same techniques we use for the kids in our group. We use simple instructions, make eye contact at eye level when giving instructions, we promote encouragement between the kids. These are all things that are very helpful with students, no matter their learning ability.