August 2015

Man oh man, where did the time go?!  This is our last summer Sibshop of 2015 before the school season starts up again. We can't believe school is right around the corner.

Paper Bag Kite Making was our Trickle In Activity for this warm summer day. Loads of stickers and tissue paper streamers adorned these fun homemade kites.

"Tag! You're it!" 

We played a fun, active game of Tunnel Tag outside on the green grass. It got the blood pumping and the juices flowing!

'Four Corners" is a classic cat and mouse type game that our Sibshoppers are happy to play anytime and anywhere. All is takes is a handful of people and literally four corners!

"Feelings On A Rope" provides an opportunity for the kids to get to know one another a little better and for them to share some of their feelings in regards to being a sibling. We get to know how they feel about pepperoni AND how they feel about going to school with their sib, or being asked to babysit their sib, or sharing with their sib. One thing we always seem to hear is that even though siblings with special needs present challenges, they are well loved!

"BINGO!" Human Bingo has the kids working with one another to find someone who meets the qualifications to fill in a spot on their bingo board. They may be looking or someone who can wiggle their ears, someone who has been to Seven Peaks or someone who knows the name of their sibling's special needs.

Bye, Bye Summer! We'll catch you next time.

July 2015

Summer was in full swing for our July Sibshop!

 

We made some fun Summer Lanterns that hopefully your kiddos brought home to share with your families. Enjoy a nice night out on the patio with your homemade lantern.

 

 "Mousetrap" is a fun version of tag that gets everybody up and moving whether they are a mouse scurrying for cover or part of the trap that works hard to capture its prey.
 

"My Very Special Dream" helps our Sibshoppers reflect on the hopes and wishes they have for themselves as well as for their sibling with special needs.

 

The Sibshoppers love a game of "Islands". This version of musical chairs uses disappearing paper plates and requires constant movement!



 "Color Guard" isn't as easy as it looks!  Especially when volunteer Sean is acting as Guard. You've gotta be quick and stealthy if you wanna get your egg into the basket.

We wrapped up our July summer event with some bibliotherapy and popsicles.  Your kids used up a lot of energy so we rewarded them with a sweet treat and sweet spot to sit and listen to some books about children with special needs.

See you in August for our last summer Hurrah!

June 2015

Welcome Summer 2015!

 These wiggly eyed art projects served as both our trickle in activity and as a gift for Dad for Father's Day. We have some creative Sibshoppers! Just take a look above at this pop-tart looking monster family!

 This Hula Hoop game got the kiddos moving! The goal is to move the hula hoop as quickly around the circle as possible without breaking the "circle." It's tempting to let go of your neighbors hand and just grab the hoop, but way more challenging and FUN to do it without your hands. The kids got pretty quick at moving that hoop around, so we threw a couple extra hoops into the mix. They quickly worked together and figured out how to move that hoop around the circle at a lightning speed pace.

 The game of "Sightless Sculpture" provides an opportunity to feel what it is like to attempt a task without the full use of all your senses.  In this activity, the "Sculptor" does not have use of his sight. Working with his other senses and relying on his sense of touch, he must replicate the "statue" using a peer as his "Piece of Clay." We talked about the challenges of not being able to use all our senses and about the achievements of so many artisans who live with this type of special need and still create beautiful works of art! 

This marshmallow relay with chopsticks proved a little more difficult than anticipated! Since you just have to grab the marshmallow with the stick and not jab or spear it, our Sibshoppers had to use a little more dexterity and fine motor skill than they might normally use! They did get the hang of it after some time and completed the relay in a photo finish.

After lunch, we all enjoyed a game of 'Balloon Foot Volleyball". This Sibshops classic is a favorite among our Sibshoppers.

Dessert was a handful, okay a cupful, of M&Ms!  Before you can dig in, however, you must answer some questions about yourself and your sibling with special needs. It's fun to learn a little more about our Sibshoppers and their families.

"Undercover Leader" tends to give our Sibshoppers the giggles. One person acts as the leader and all other members must imitate their actions. This must happen covertly as the group tries to outsmart an inspector who is trying to locate our undercover leader.

June was a great month to play and learn and share together!

May 2015 Deaf/Blind Simulation

Welcome May!

Welcome Mother's Day!

As our Sibshoppers "trickled in", they completed one or two little

 gifts for their mothers in celebration of Mother's Day.

I don't think we have ever posted a photo of the next activity! We do this activity every session following our "trickle in." We welcome everyone, do some introductions and then go over the

 Rules and Expectations for our Sibshop. 

Our rules are 1.) Have Fun 2.) Be Nice 3.) Be Respectful and 4.) Keep It Confidential. 

Our consequences are 1.) A warning 2.) Take a break 3.) Say you're sorry.

We were so lucky to have Debbie, from the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind, come present to our group of Sibshoppers.  She leads a wonderful Deaf/Blind Simulation chock full of education, experience and discussion. Each Sibshopper gets the opportunity to act as a guide and as a person affected by Deaf/Blindness.  A set of earplugs, bandana, mask, and headphones help in simulating both hearing and vision loss.

The Sibshoppers lead one another through a variety of different activities including sitting, standing, walking, climbing, getting in an elevator, eating, having their hands and faces washed, going up and down stairs and all sorts of other things we normally do easily and take for granted.

The Sibshoppers are always anxious to share their opinions and experience doing the simulation. It is a great opportunity for them to reflect on the challenges their sibs and other people with special needs experience. They recognize feelings of insecurity, fear, confusion, and frustration.

 Thanks Debbie for volunteering with our group of grateful Sibshoppers!

Lunch was followed by an obstacle course and the creation of some
"Butterfly Baggies" with sweet treats.

See you in June!