At November Roundtable, we learned about teams and team building. November Roundtable information is here on page 70 as you scroll:
www.scouting.org/filestore/cubscouts/pdf/510-714(16)_CS.pdf The handout given in Cubmaster/Cub Chairman Breakout is on page 68-69 in the Roundtable Planning Guide.
0 Comments
In October, we had a special speaker, Norell Johnson, who has taught Special Education at Mountain View Elementary School for 26 years. She has dual Bachelor's Degrees in Special Education and Deaf Education. She has a Masters' Degree in Deaf Education. Here are a few things she highlighted: ask parents/guardians of the special needs child how to incorporate his needs in your situation; set rules and consequences and then stick to them; intermittent positive reinforcement of every boy is the strongest form in encouragement; have sensory games available to use in every den meeting; using sensory breaks when you can tell boy is stressed out.
Parents/Guardians, Norell said, are the best source in finding ways in dealing with the child and his needs that you as his Scout leader will be handling. Continuing communication with the parent/guardian, even during den meeting if needed, is important. Norell uses ClassDojo for instant private messaging with parents/guardians. Positive, yet intermittent, reinforcement is important to children. The more you praise them, the better they do. Norell said there are many ways to do this, such as a Rewards Punch card. You set the rules and the rewards. Remember to use things the boy can be responsible for, such as behavior, obeying set rules, or learning a skill. Other things, such as being on time and attendance is the parent/guardians' responsibility and should not be included. Sensory games Norell suggested that to use that will keep hands busy so the child can pay attention better are: Fidgets (buy the more expensive ones, they stay together better); heavy balloons with flour, cornstarch, or play dough in it as a stress ball; 'I Spy' bottles; or even smooth or polished rocks. Sensory breaks are short breaks in whatever activity is happening to allow time to calm the overload. Ideas for those are: jogging in place for a minute, lying on your back and deep breathing for 2 minutes, and spin in a circle 3 or 4 times, or laying on your back with a weighted blanket covering you or tube(sock or some other fuzzy material) filled with rice on legs for a set time. If you have ideas that have worked for you in dealing with Special Needs youth in Scouting, comment below. |
Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner
My name is Christine Robinson. I have been a volunteer in Cub Scouting for seven years. I have been Cub Scout Chairman, Advancement Chairman, Assistant Cubmaster, WEBELOS Den Leader, Bear Den Leader, and currently, a Wolf Den Leader in my unit. I am also the current Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner for Cassia District. Archives
February 2018
Categories |