A children's book that introduces adaptive equipment, or "tools", while encouraging imaginative play and inclusion. Equipment included in this story are; wheelchairs, glasses, AAC, standers, feeding tubes, trachs, gait trainers, service dogs, hearing aids, orthoses, and face masks! As the author, I set out to create something that could go to school with my daughter Kennedy, who uses many of these "tools" herself. I wanted her peers to have a loose understanding of why she had these things they may never have seen before, but more importantly, help to spark in their imaginations ways in which Kennedy and these items could be included in imaginative play. 

In this important book, a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook shows how outdoor play and unstructured freedom of movement are vital for children’s cognitive development and growth, and offers tons of fun, engaging ways to help ensure that kids grow into healthy, balanced, and resilient adults. 

Even though Chad has cerebral palsy, he can still attend school and do many of the same things as his classmates. Written from Chad's perspective, this book answers many of the questions his classmates have but may be too scared or uncomfortable to ask. Children, teachers, school nurses, parents, and caregivers will learn about what cerebral palsy is, the different kinds of cerebral palsy, and special equipment that is available to help kids with cerebral palsy. This book also includes an experiment that allows children without cerebral palsy to experience what the condition may feel like. 

Brain Gym Teacher's Edition details the 26 Brain Gym activities used around the world by people of all ages and abilities to make learning easier. This is the revised and enlarged third edition of a very popular book that has been translated into 20-some languages. This is a stand-alone book for parents, teachers and learners who want in-depth descriptions and variations for the 26 Brain Gym activities. Those who need only drawings of the 26 and simple descriptions of how to do them can refer to the small orange book Brain Gym: Simple Activities for Whole-Brain Learning, written in a simple story form that children can understand.

The book references recent research in the field of neuroplasticity as it shows how learners can master the physical skills required for development of academic abilities. The 26 activities, each taking just a minute or so to do, help learners to develop skills of stability, locomotion, and sensorimotor coordination, as well as providing effective tools for self-calming and self-management. When a student can respond to the stress that inhibits the flow of learning, he or she can better access the joy, creativity, and expression inherent in the learning process. This expanded 2010 version of the book offers new information on the physical skills involved in the learning process, ways to use the 26 activities to teach specific academics such as reading and writing, personal accounts from parent and educators, and games for teaching through movement and play.

Neurophysiologist and educator Dr. Carla Hannaford brings the latest insights from scientific research to questions that affect learners of all ages. Examining the body's role in learning, from infancy through adulthood she presents the mounting scientific evidence that movement is crucial to learning. Dr. Hannaford offers clear alternatives and remedies that people can put into practice right away to make a real difference in their ability to learn. She advocates more enlightened educational practices for homes and schools including: a more holistic view of each learner; less emphasis on rote learning; more experiential, active instruction; less labeling of learning disabilities; more physical movement; more personal expression through arts, sports and music; less prescribing of Ritalin and other drugs whose long term effects are not even known.

Get your kids moving and giggling with the delightful suggestions in A Year of Mini-Moves for the In-Sync Child.

Pediatricians, teachers and other early childhood specialists now recognize that early motor development is one of the most important factors in the physical, emotional, academic and overall success of children. A Year of Mini-Moves for the In-Sync Child includes 52 weekly schedules to easily incorporate quick movement activities into your child's day.

Created by bestselling authors and Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) experts, Carol Kranowitz and Joye Newman, each of the mini-moves in this book addresses one or more sensory, perceptual and visual motor skills that are the foundation for the future physical, cognitive, and emotional development for children.

Use these whimsical mini-moves at the beginning of your day or therapy session, at transition times or as inspiration for a more elaborate movement experience. Adapt each move to suit the abilities of your child or children. The whimsical pages can be used to brighten your walls at home, at school or clinic.

The objective of A Year of Mini-Moves for the In-Sync Child is to help reinforce the brain-body connection, while giving each child a moving experience that will last a lifetime!

Sally Goddard Blythe thoroughly explains why movement is so important for the healthy development of babies and young children. She describes movement, balance, reflexes, learning, and behavior in early education and how music affects brain development. The book includes songs, games and, activities that encourage learning at key stages of development. Here is a unique and holistic approach to the senses, movement, the brain, play, and movement. It is also a valuable resource for helping parents and professionals assess children with learning difficulties and for dealing with learning and behavioral problems through movement.

This one is highly recommended for all early education teachers and parents of young children.

Play, academics, and standards can work together with the right strategies and support from educators. Take an active role in child-directed play to guide learning. Become a strong advocate for saving play in early childhood education by empowering teachers to join play and standards, and learn how child-led, open-ended play addresses the seven domains and Common Core Standards.

This book is full of research and resources that link academic learning and play experiences. Engage in provocative questions for teachers and administrators to help you effectively share the importance of play in early learning with others, and help restore play to its proper role as both fun and educational.