Nov 10
1
Winter Activities For Special Needs Kids
Winter is coming. The leaves are changing, there is a chill in the air, and the frost is on the pumpkin. Winter can be a great time of rest and renewal if you let it be. It can also be very tempting to turn on the television a lot now that the kids are indoors frequently. This can be quite detrimental to the relationships in homes with adopted children. Television has a very negative impact on children who suffer from social setbacks and attachment issues.
When children are affected with Reactive Attachment Disorder or have attachment problems, television impedes the bonding process. T.V. allows a child to detach emotionally for hours at a time. This can be a factor in why adopted kids seem to crave television and video games. There also is some research that indicates the release of oxytocin–”the love hormone” during television watching. This is negative because a child that needs to attach to family members should only feel the effects of oxytocin while interacting with other human beings.
You may be at a loss for ideas to keep your kids busy this winter without having the T.V on constantly. Since kids with reactive attachment often have an unnatural draw to T.V and video games, we had to dispose of our television long ago so I have gotten quite creative.
Here are 6 of our favorite activities during cold weather. (And how to implement them with difficult kids.)
1. Stories on CD–Our favorites include Your Story Hour (Series of true stories from history), Jonathan Park (Creation Science Adventures), Adventures in Odyssey and classic books on CD like Treasure Island, Anne of Green Gables, Black Beauty, and Girl of the limberlost. At first, kids who aren’t used to listening to these stories need to have them presented in situations like long car rides in order to create a positive feeling about them. Also, listen in small doses at first.
2. Card and Board Games–Our favorites include Skipbo, Uno, Animal Rummy, Monopoly, Horseopoly, Scrabble, Trouble, Garbage, Perfection, Nerts and Golf. Obviously, playing two person or family games encourages bonding and is a great tool for nervous kids. Set up the rules in the beginning and make sure your child understands them before you begin. I have personally played over 760 games of Skipbo in the last four years. Most of those games were played in the first year of my children’s placement with us. It was literally the only time Gabriel was truly happy.
3. Building Toys and Games–Our favorites include Quadrilla, Legos, K-nex and Lincoln Logs. Playing with these toys alongside your adopted or foster kids helps tremendously. If you have more than one child playing, stay close to avoid fights about the pieces.
4. Crocheting, knitting, and other needle crafts–Visit any Jo Ann Fabrics or Hobby Lobby and you will easily find a section devoted to yarn. In that section you will find a gazzilian (is that a word?) pamplets and books to help you get started. My kids aren’t great at crocheting yet but they love to “make” things using their crochet needles. Generally, the boys make rope and Rose makes “doll clothes”. If your child says nasty things or throws fits when you suggest these activities, don’t take it as defiance. Formerly neglected children are often much younger emotionally and feel inadequate when it comes to small motor activities. Allow them to choose something else but have them be in the same area with the rest of the family.
If you want to be really original, visit a fibers store (usually these are out of the way nooks that are serviced by the local Alpaca and Angora farmers) and pick up a hand spindle. Let your kids spin their own yarn with natural fibers made from Alpaca and Angora wool. We have a blast making this type of yarn and if your kids get good at it, you can even sell it on E-bay! It certainly keeps them busy!
5. Science experiments–google for experiments on what you are currently studying or what your kids are learning at school. Experiments are a great way to learn and spark wonderful conversations!
6. How to Draw books–We check these out at the library and sit around seeing how close we can get to the original. These books can keep fidgety hands busy for quite a while–especially if you draw with them! These books are a good activity to use while reading aloud as well. Children who would normally not tolerate listening to a more difficult book will stick it out if they have something to keep their hands busy.
All in all, the key to having a relaxing winter that is virtually television free is to spend time with your children. As you set aside your own ambitions for short periods during the day to be with them, your relationship with them will grow and behavior problems will become less evident.
