Adapting Program Activities

Reflection

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ACTIVITY ID: 18976

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In the Learn section of this lesson, you were introduced to a scenario about Shayla, a child with cerebral palsy who has joined your classroom. Shayla uses a wheelchair and is independent with maneuvering it throughout her environment. Read these additional scenarios and use your knowledge from this lesson to brainstorm adaptations and solutions or adaptations in response to each scenario. Share your responses with your trainer, coach, or administrator to learn more about ways to promote all children’s development.

Scenario	How do you respond?
Shayla wants to play with other children during outdoor time. The playground equipment is on mulch. Her wheelchair gets caught in the mulch and you have to move her chair.	Lead activities for all children in other outdoor spaces that are wheelchair-friendly, like sidewalks or concrete. Use outdoor time to play with parachutes, swim, or have other fun activities that Shayla can participate in. Shayla may be able to sit on a swing or go down the slide with a teacher’s help.
Some of the children in your classroom are really interested in Shayla and her wheelchair. They begin pushing the wheelchair everywhere Shayla wants to go.	Tell children in your classroom to first ask Shayla if she wants to be pushed or if she prefers to move herself. Ask Shayla to show her peers how her wheelchair works. Ask Shayla’s family to come to your classroom and share with the children how Shayla does things around the house and the community with her wheelchair.
A physical or occupational therapist comes to your class daily during outdoor time to stretch Shayla’s muscles. The other children in your class stop their activities to come watch. Shayla acts shy and resists stretching when the other children are watching.	Incorporate stretching into the classroom’s everyday routine where children can do the same stretches that Shayla is doing. If she wants to, Shayla can lead stretches. Children could participate in yoga or other stretching and strengthening activities during the same time Shayla is.