Monthly Archives: April 2012

Tips for Working with Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Working with kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders is my passion & area of expertise as a Speech-Language Pathologist. I have had several folks contact me recently via Facebook and e-mail asking for a few tips.

The most important thing when working with kids, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorders or any other special needs, is to get info about the kids and get to know them as individuals. I have been a SLP for 22 years and have worked with hundreds of kids with ASD ranging from infants (pre-diagnosis) to 21 years of age….. and the saying is definitely true “when you have met one person with Autism, you have met ONE person with Autism”. Every child is a unique individual….. like each of us is a unique individual. But there are also some general things that are helpful to know if you are considering working with kids with ASD so here are a few general tips:

* use visual supports (see several posts: https://omazingkidsllc.com/?s=visual+supports).

* have a predictable routine.

* be mindful of the sensory issues of each individual child (many are easily overstimulated by smells, lights, extra props, music, noises, etc…). Be mindful of this when picking yoga mats to use. Avoid ones with a strong odor, over-stimulating colors and/or distracting designs or patterns. Kids with ASD can take things very literally so if you have a yoga mat with a certain animal or pose on it they may think that is the only pose they can do on that mat. Non-toxic, eco-friendly yoga mats in solid, calming shades of blues & greens are my typical recommendation. There is actually some research about kids with special needs reactions to certain colors and many individuals with ASD were drawn to blues & greens and I have found this to be true in my personal practice as well.

* be aware that many individuals with ASD have difficulty making and maintaining eye contact. Many teens and adults with ASD have described eye contact as an overwhelming and sometimes painful sensory experience. Many have also described that eye contact can be so overwhelming that to look and listen at the same time is too much sensory information. In my work as a SLP, I have found it helpful to teach kids how to “approximate” eye contact by periodically looking at something in the facial region (ex: eyebrows, nose, chin, rim of eye glasses) of the conversational partner as a way to be socially engaging while still respecting their own sensory needs. I have seen way too many kids with ASD in my career where direct, unatural eye contact was overemphasized and the results are not usually good.

* don’t be too quick to judge whether or not a child with ASD is “enjoying” yoga or any other activity….. I have seen many kids initially be resistant or ambivalent to yoga and other activities end up loving it when given the opportunity to experience it on their own terms & at their own pace.

* be mindful of group dynamics & group size… many kids with ASD are overwhelmed in large groups.

* be mindful of the sensory aspects of the poses and breathing activities. Kids with ASD often have very significant Sensory Processing problems and can be very sensitive to poses that require balance or inversion. In general, poses that provide “flexion” tend to be calming, poses that provide “extension” tend to be alerting & energizing and poses that use both sides of the body and/or cross midline tend to promote focusing.

* many kids with ASD have “high interest” areas….. with some kids these make good theme choices to get them interested.

* many kids with ASD have poor motor planning skills and auditory processing problems so you may need to modify/simplify poses and use very simple instructions (one step at a time). You may need to wait a few seconds to allow the child to process verbal information. It is also helpful to provide a consistent cue before giving instructions and pairing verbal instructions with simple sign language/gestures and visual supports.

* always ask the child’s permission before touching or offering help with a pose & get info ahead of time about how that child reacts to touch. As a general rule of thumb more of them tolerate deep/firm pressure better than light touch…. but this can vary greatly from child to child.

Here is a link to a presentation I did at the Oklahoma Autism Conference: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2011/11/20/omazing-kids-yoga-therapeutic-yoga-for-kids-and-teens-with-autism-handouts-links-for-presentation-at-the-oklahoma-autism-conference-11-19-11/. It includes links to lots of great resources, video clips and research articles.

And a post I did about inclusion: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2012/01/16/universal-design-for-inclusive-kids-yoga-inclusion-is-belonging/

There are lots of great folks out there doing adapted yoga for kids with ASD. Here are links to a few of my faves:

 

Bodylogique: http://www.bodylogique.com/, http://www.facebook.com/BodyLogique, blog: http://bodylogique.blogspot.com/. Check out the interview Barbara did last April: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yoga-in-my-school/2011/04/06/yoga-for-autism-with-barbara-gini. She also did a webinar “Yoga for Children with Autism” earlier this month with Donna Freeman at Yoga In My School (available for purchase: http://yogainmyschool.com/store/webinars/).

 

ZensationalKids:  http://zensationalkids.com/, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zensational-Kids-LLC/201943263172877. Allison  is a licensed occupational therapist, a Registered Yoga Teacher and is a trainer with Radiant Child Yoga. She co-teaches their specialty course “Yoga for Differently-Abled Children: Working With ADHD, Autism and Sensory Processing Issues”. 

 

S.T.O.P. and Relax:  http://www.stopandrelax.net/, http://www.facebook.com/stopandrelax.net

 

A great post on the Spirit of Autism blog: http://spiritofautism.org/2011/11/10/7-benefits-of-yoga-for-autism/

 

A great book is “Yoga Therapy for Every Special Child – Meeting Needs in a Natural Setting” by Nancy Williams. It’s a “must-have” for anyone doing adapted or therapeutic yoga. Nancy is a Speech-Language Pathologist &  Registered Yoga Teacher. http://yogatherapy4children.com/index.html, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yoga-Therapy-4-Every-Special-Child/151568364912636.

Hope this helps!

You can also reach me at amoorad1@juno.com if you ever want to chat via e-mail 🙂

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the wavy divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

Review & Giveaway: The Swingset Mamas CD’s

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Check out the fun, energetic & interactive music from the Swingset Mamas!

I first fell in love with the Swingset Mamas’ music when I found the song “Colors of the Rainbow” last year as I was looking for a song to encourage kids to try healthy foods in my work as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Love the calypso beat of that song and it is my fave on their 1st CD.

Hear mp3 samples at: http://www.amazon.com/Music-for-the-Whole-Family/dp/B0012MB1U8/ref=tmm_msc_title_0#mp3TrackPlayer

Then when I heard their song “Take a Walk in Someone Else’s Shoes” and heard the story behind the song I was totally hooked!

Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ3LnuQ-nE0

I love that Lizzie Swan and Marlowe Bechmann, the Swingset Mamas, have a strong commitment to using music as a way to spread the message of inclusion and acceptance of differences for all children and adults of all abilities. Their song “Take A Walk In Someone Else’s Shoes” was inspired by Marlowe’s family and their journey with Autism.  

As the mother of a child with autism, Marlowe values and utilizes music to communicate with her daughter.  See this page on their website for tips on making music with your family, Autism Awareness and more: http://www.swingsetmamas.com/wordpress/?page_id=26

Transitions and daily routines are often a challenge for parents of kids with special abilities. Try Downloading “Dressed” (free), and turn your morning dressing routine from a power struggle into a game! Or put on “Buckle Up” (also free) for an easy way to get the kids loaded up into the car.

I received free copies of their 2nd CD “Dance Around the House” and 3rd CD “Mamamorphosis” to try out with the kids I work with both as a SLP & in OMazing Kids. I love their unique music that has a strong beat but is not too fast or overstimulating. Here are my favorite tracks on each CD:

 

Dance Around the House: My favorite tracks are:

  • Knock Knock Blues – would be fun to use in introductions in any kids group activity, including social skill groups, kids yoga groups, etc….
  • Sunscreen Dance – will be fun to use in my summer beach-themed groups & would help any parent who has a battle getting their child to wear sunscreen. Check out this fun printable to go with the song: http://www.aolcdn.com/ch_kids/swingset-mamas-sun-printable.gif
  • Dressed – any parent who has a battle with their child getting dressed has to hear this song…. Getting dressed to this song would be FUN!
  • Dance Around the House – fun to use during any movement activity, including yoga freeze dance.
  • Books – would be fun to use as a transition song for storytime or going to the library.
  • Buckle Up – ever had a battle getting your kids to wear their seatbelt? This song will make that fun too.
  • Bugs – LOVE this song & can’t wait to use this the next time I do a bug-themed yoga class! See the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E0X5-vi1WM
  • Rain & Thunder (two separate tracks) – We are planning a free event around the book “Rain Talk” for Better Hearing & Speech Month at the JD McCarty Center and these will be perfect to use! Would also be cool to use as a way to desensitize kids who are frightened of rain & thunder.
  • 5 More Minutes & See Ya Later Alligator (two separate tracks) – would work great to help in transitions when it’s time to wrap up an activity and get ready to go. See the See Ya Later Alligator video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbeYhYPRpqc
  • Hear mp3 samples at: http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Around-the-House/dp/B0012KRG9A/ref=tmm_msc_title_0#mp3TrackPlayer

Mamamorphosis: My favorite tracks are:

  • Love Makes A Family – Love the lyrics about movement, affirmation & acceptance of differences and beat of this song!
  • Dancing Pants – fun to use during any movement activity, including yoga freeze dance.
  • Great to Be Me – awesome affirmation song.
  • Water Safety Rules – fun way to teach water safety this summer. Many kids with special needs are attracted to water so it is imperative that we teach ALL kids about water safety.
  • Ralph and Rosie (Metamorphosis) – it would be fun to do a whole frog & butterfly metamorphosis themed kids yoga class around this song 🙂
  • If I Became President – LOVE the message of peace & taking care of our planet in this song. See the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRtUFQ7hIyM
  • Time & Counting (two separate tracks) – adding music to concepts that can be challenging to learn.
  • Off Center – does a great job of describing what it might feel like if you had sensory processing difficulties.
  • Take A Walk In Someone Else’s Shoes – An AWESOME song with a wonderful message of inclusion & acceptance!
  • Hear mp3 samples at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MY3X4K/ref=dm_att_alb1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335640836&sr=8-3-ent#mp3TrackPlayer

 Website: http://www.swingsetmamas.com/wordpress/

 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwingsetMamas

 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Swingsetmamas/videos

Available for purchase at: http://www.swingsetmamas.com/wordpress/?page_id=89 – website includes direct links to downloads on iTunes, Amazon & CD Baby.

Disclaimer: I received a free sample of this product to facilitate my review. Opinions expressed are my own.

 

How to enter the giveaway:

  1. Enter via the “Giveaways” tab on the OMazing Kids FB page (http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga?v=app_197602066931325) & mention how you would be using the music with your child or the children you work with AND which CD you want if you win. (comments must be in English; must include full first & last name; 1 entry per Facebook account).
  2. For one additional entry, leave a comment on this blog post. Must mention how you would be using the music with your child or the children you work with AND which CD you want if you win. (comments must be in English; 1 entry per person; must have a valid e-mail address)
  3. Tips: You increase your odds of winning by entering via both methods. Entering via the “Giveaways” tab will save me the step of having to obtain your mailing address – the info you complete on the tab comes directly to me via an e-mail.

Entry Deadline: Enter by any of the methods listed above by 11:59pm CST on April 30, 2012.

Rules of Participation:

  • Must be 18 years or older with a valid e-mail address.
  • Only USA entries are being allowed for this particular giveaway.
  • Employees or family members of OMazing Kids, LLC or the product’s company are not eligible.
  • No purchase required.
  • Comments submitted via the Enter Giveaways Here…. tab on Facebook may be copied & pasted into the blog post.
  • Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received.
  • Two (2) winners will be chosen via a random drawing of valid entries on May 1, 2012.
  • Each winner will be sent one (1) copy of the CD they selected in their entry.
  • The winners will be notified via e-mail and will be posted on the blog post.
  • If a winner only entered via blog post, their mailing address will be obtained via e-mail.
  • In the event that a winner does not respond within 24 hours, a new winner will be selected via a random drawing.
  • The winner’s address will be forwarded to the company and they will be mailing the CD directly to the winner.
  • Prize Value: retail price up to $14.00 depending on the CD selected

Other Legal Stuff: I know it’s just kids music CD’s but just to be safe here is all the legal stuff…

This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You are providing your information to OMazing Kids, LLC and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for our internal purposes in relation to the administration of the giveaway. Your information will NOT be sold to any outside parties.

Indemnification/Hold Harmless: By participating, entrants agree: (a) to the decisions of OMazing Kids, LLC, which shall be final in all respects; (b) to release, discharge, and hold harmless OMazing Kids, LLC and its respective representatives and agents from all liability, injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in and/or entry into the Contest or any Contest-related activity and for acceptance, delivery, or use of any prize; (c) that the foregoing parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guaranty, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relating to any prize.

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the wavy divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

 

“OMazing Kids StoryStretchers: Creating a Yoga Storytime for Kids” at the Oklahoma Childcare Association Spring Conference

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I had an OMazing time sharing info about combining yoga & storytime with a great group of 35 childcare providers at the annual Oklahoma Childcare Association Spring Conference today!

Here is a copy of my PowerPoint slides (30 page PDF). You will be able to click on the web links on each slide to go directly to each resource 🙂

OMazing Kids StoryStretchers – presentation for Oklahoma Childcare Conference April 2012 (PDF)

Please head over and “like” the OMazing Kids Facebook page for more great info and ideas – http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

A huge “Thanks!” to the 11 companies that donated a total of over $800 worth of kids yoga products…… it was great to have enough stuff for every participant to get something to support them using yoga with the kids in their childcare settings!

And thanks to Budget Floor Store (http://www.floorstoresok.com/) in Oklahoma City for the carpet squares they donated last year! I have used them several times & they came in handy today for the participants to get some practice doing kids yoga poses.

Thanks to Greg Gaston, Director of Marketing at JDMC, who spent his Saturday at the JD McCarty Center booth at the conference. I was SO excited that our booth was in a prime location….. at the main entrance right across from the keynote speaker’s booth 🙂  Yippee for the opportunity to spread the word about the great services we offer at JDMC!

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist at the JD McCarty Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities in Norman, Oklahoma (www.jdmc.org)

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

Work E-Mail: amoorad@jdmc.org  (* please always Cc my home e-mail to make sure I get the message)

Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the wavy divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

Earth Day Giveaway from Your True Nature

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Want some fun eco-friendly products to use in your kids yoga classes? Then check out Your True Nature!

Your True Nature has over 150 eco-friendly “Advice from Nature” gifts available on their website and in shops across the US.

Here is a “sneek peek” at a few of my favorite Your True Nature products…

My very favorite item is their Advice from Nature Mini-Cards Tin – you get a tin of 72 mini illustrated cards (1″ x 3″) each containing heart-tickling wisdom from nature. I have a set at my desk and pick a card each morning to get my “Advice from Nature” for that day.  I also have a set to use in OMazing Kids yoga classes. We pick a card and do a yoga pose or activity inspired by the card 🙂

A few of my other favorite Your True Nature products:

Gotta love their fun bookmarks! They have bunches to choose from….. here a couple of my faves:

 

Love these great mini-books to use with older kids or teens……

 

Here is a free kids yoga lesson plan that I wrote for Your True Nature inspired by “Advice from a River” : kids yoga lesson plan inspired by advice from a river – your true nature (2 page PDF). It is also available on the Your True Nature website, along with other lesson plans, at: http://www.yourtruenature.com/yoga.

Website: http://www.yourtruenature.com/

Sign up for free materials at: http://www.yourtruenature.com/free-nature-materials 

Free screensavers at: http://www.yourtruenature.com/downloadable-screensavers

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/YourTrueNature

Want to enter for a chance to win a $60.00 shopping spree on the True Nature website? ($50.00 of products + $10.00 to cover shipping).

How to enter the giveaway:

  1. Enter via the “Giveaways” tab on the OMazing Kids FB page (http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga?v=app_197602066931325) & mention how you would be using the Your True Nature products with your child or the children you work with. (comments must be in English; must include full first & last name; 1 entry per Facebook account).
  2. For one additional entry, leave a comment on this blog post. Must mention how you would be using the Your True Nature products with your child or the children you work with. (comments must be in English; 1 entry per person; must have a valid e-mail address)
  3. Tips: You increase your odds of winning by entering via both methods. Entering via the “Giveaways” tab will save me the step of having to obtain your mailing address to confirm that you live in the USA – the info you complete on the tab comes directly to me via an e-mail.

Entry Deadline: Enter by any of the methods listed above by 11:59pm CST on April 20, 2012.

Rules of Participation:

  • Must be 18 years or older with a valid e-mail address.
  • Only USA entries are being allowed for this particular giveaway.
  • Employees or family members of OMazing Kids, LLC or the product’s company are not eligible.
  • No purchase required.
  • Comments submitted via the Enter Giveaways Here…. tab on Facebook may be copied & pasted into the blog post.
  • Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received.
  • One (1) winner will be chosen via a random drawing of valid entries on April 21, 2012.
  • The winner will get a discount code via e-mail for $60.00 from Your True Nature. The winner will be able to use the code to purchase ~$50.00 of products & ~10.00 of shipping on the Your True Nature website. Any questions about how to use the discount code will be answered by Your True Nature.
  • The winners will be notified via e-mail and will be posted on the blog post.
  • If a winner only entered via blog post, their mailing address will be obtained via e-mail.
  • In the event that a winner does not respond within 24 hours, a new winner will be selected via a random drawing.
  • The winner’s e-mail address will be forwarded to the company and they will be e-mailing the discount code directly to the winner.
  • Prize Value: retail price $60.00

Other Legal Stuff: I know it’s just eco-friendly nature-inspired products but just to be safe here is all the legal stuff…

This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You are providing your information to OMazing Kids, LLC and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for our internal purposes in relation to the administration of the giveaway. Your information will NOT be sold to any outside parties.

Indemnification/Hold Harmless: By participating, entrants agree: (a) to the decisions of OMazing Kids, LLC, which shall be final in all respects; (b) to release, discharge, and hold harmless OMazing Kids, LLC and its respective representatives and agents from all liability, injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in and/or entry into the Contest or any Contest-related activity and for acceptance, delivery, or use of any prize; (c) that the foregoing parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guaranty, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relating to any prize.

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the wavy divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

3…2…1…. Blastoff! Ideas for an Outer Space Kids Yoga Class

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Want some fun ideas for an Outer Space kids yoga class?

We recently had a great discussion on the OMazing Kids Yoga Facebook page and lots of cool ideas were shared. I’m saving them here on the blog so folks will be able to find the info more easily.

Updates: Here is my new playlist for Outer Space & Star Wars themed yoga

Update 2/17/13: New song added to my “space” playlist. “Rocket Ship” by Bari Koral: http://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Ship/dp/B007U2LKLO 

See an album of pics of ideas on FB: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga#!/media/set/?set=a.342172392500439.95278.174264525957894&type=3 (new pics added frequently)

Here are the ideas folks shared:

Laurea Palmantier Hello! Just wondering if anyone has some ideas on outer space themed yoga? Thank you!

Kara Best Oh my yoga kids love when we go to outer space! We use chair pose as our rocket and I let the kids take turns counting down fm 5 to blast off where we come out of chair with a lil jump. We ‘land’ on the moon (crescent moon pose), twinkling stars (supine or standing, touch opposite hand to foot), saturn (group pose holding hands, leaning back), mars (lots to do with aliens ie inversions or make up their own shape as examples), space rocks (childs pose) and more I end resting on clouds.

Alicia Fry LaGrassa Loving the ideas…Kara has good ones, and I like the Star Wars idea as well. I was just pondering this last week, and I jotted down to use “Rocketship Run” by Laurie Berkner. (And there’s a countdown to blastoff for Kara!)

Laura Fuller Something anti gravity. And moonwalking.

YogaBugs North & East London See the YogaBugs Fun Zone at www.yogabugs.com. We have a free Intergalactic Space Adventure to download plus a colouring-in sheet to go with it. (Note: See the info below for a direct link to that info on their website).

Garland Caz Rainbow kids yoga has also got ideas about space x (Note: See the info below for a direct link).
Nancy Williams I use helicopter to fly and everyone takes a turn discussing just where, in outer space, they will travel.  We have also done any moving pose in incredibly slow motion, i.e. yoga walk, warrior, cat, triangle, etc.  A guided imagery geared to this theme is also well received and eye bags become moon goggles.
Jeanette Runnings We do a rocket taking off by squating down and then jump pu to blast off.  Sun breaths, star pose, moon pose(side stretch) half moon (if older kids), moon rock pose(child’s pose) Falling star pose -shifting weight to each foot.
OMazing Kids Yoga ‎- Nancy Williams shared this guided imagery script today….. reposting here so everyone in this discussion thread will see it:
MISSION PEACE – Today is an important day and you feel excitement growing inside of you. Taking a deep breath through your nose you begin to feel calm and more focused. Today you will travel with your fellow astronauts into outer space.   You slip one leg and then the other into a silver jumpsuit that has been selected as your official uniform for your travel. You fall in line with your team and find yourself walking through the exit door and down a ramp towards the shuttle. You climb the steps that have been placed in front of the shuttle and wave at the people that have gathered to watch the blast off.   Inside the shuttle you see a circle of seats and you land in the nearest one. You slip one shoulder and then the other into the harness seat belt that will secure you in this powerful take off. You look in front of you and notice the floor is a window and you will be able to view the entire landscape around you during your travel.   The intercom announces your departure and the four… three… two…one…launch has become a reality. You feel the power of the release as you are sent into the atmosphere and find yourself looking at the earth as if it were a pea. You see the light change as you move into outer space and take a deep breath to calm your ever- growing excitement.   You now see particles of light, chards of meteor and a darker horizon. The atmosphere has shifted and you observe a hair comb float by you. Your team member laughs as he realizes he forgot to take his comb out of his pocket before entering the shuttle. You know your trip will be short as time is reduced when you travel this fast. You look forward to your mission.   Stars are around you now and there are wifts of hazy matter you are not familiar with. The area is dark and you realize you have traveled far beyond the earth’s orbit.   The intercom informs you that you will soon be landing on your destination and you take yet another breath to calm your building anticipation. You feel the landing and are instructed to release your harness, move into the outer chamber and suit up for your mission. It is only ten steps to the exit and you begin to move. As you place the outer-wear over your jumpsuit you find that you are weightless and must move slowly in order to keep your balance. You place the helmet with oxygen over your head and as the inner chamber door locks you step through the opening outer exit. Out into a world that is unfamiliar and resembles a mystical version of your planet earth. You have been chosen to place the flag into the crust of this new planet and you begin to do so with the support of your team. You stand back and admire the design that has been developed for this mission and notice the colorful symbol and letters warm your heart. Each letter has been carefully designed to put the intention of your mission into the energy of this place. You smile, and know that the PEACE you have chosen to represent this mission will generate the intention of the entire planet earth. Peace, shanti, the message we all wish to place into our future.   Feeling complete and content you move with the small team back through the shuttle door and decompress in the inner chamber. Removing your suits, you move back into the inner shuttle where you secure your seat belts and prepare for the return voyage.   Taking a deep breath you now relax and know you have made a contribution to the world and can feel proud of your mission. The Peace shuttle lifts and propels from the new found planet to carry you home.
Laurea Palmantier Pure Awesome! “Once Upon a  Pose” by Donna Freeman has a space adventure story in her book as well. Thank you everyone!

A fun outer space kids yoga lesson plan & free coloring page from YogaBugs Ltd: http://www.yogabugs.com/images/YogaBugs%20-%20An%20Intergalactic%20Adventure.pdf & http://www.yogabugs.com/images/YogaBugs-Colouring-In-Space-Mission.pdf

A fun outer space kids yoga lesson plan from Rainbow Kids Yoga: http://yoganomics.net/2010/06/holiday-vacation-in-outer-space/

Love this from Cyn Narcisi Illustration! http://cynnarcisi.blogspot.com/2010/01/yoga-is-good-for-artists-and-jedi.html And check out: http://cynnarcisi.blogspot.com/2010/07/yoga-with-yoda-how-to-do-virabhadrasana.html (PDF: http://www.cynnarcisi.com/YOGA_Yoda_W2.pdf)

All the Star Wars Yoga pics are from: http://robosborne.net/shop. Also check out a video of the pics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJgDgm6orU4

Hilarious Star Wars inspired yoga YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZLXQyF58i8

“Yoga Warriors” yoga pose card deck from Radiant Child Yoga!  I have them and boys, especially those with a facination for Star Wars, Power Rangers and/or Transformers, etc… love them 🙂 http://store.childrensyoga.com/Yoga-Warriors-Cards-p/yoga%20warriors%20cards.htm

“Roaring Rockets” by Tony Mitton will be fun to use with an Outer Space kids yoga theme 🙂 Here’s a peek inside the book: http://www.amazon.com/Roaring-Rockets-Amazing-Machines-Mitton/dp/0753453053#reader_0753453053

Coloring Page: http://icoloringpages.com/wp-content/uploads/wallpapers/Space-Ship-Coloring-Page.gif  (links to several more fun coloring pages: http://www.squidoo.com/space-coloring-pages2)

(Update 7/3/13: Check out the Cosmic Kids website for a fun new lesson plan inspired by the book “Aliens Love Underpants”: http://www.cosmickids.co.uk/aliens-love-underpants-a-kids-yoga-class-plan/)

Have more ideas that you would like to share for “Outer Space” kids yoga? Feel free to comment below 🙂

Looking for “Robot-Themed” kids yoga ideas? Check out this post: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2013/02/02/robot-themed-kids-yoga-lesson-plan-ideas/

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – wellness & inclusive activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the wavy divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

Earth Day Every Day – ideas for teaching kids about eco-friendly living

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Earth Day is April 22. But to make a true impact make every day Earth Day.

Commit to protect the environment. Take action. Learn – teach – share. Want info about “Earth Day”? Check out the EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/earthday/ & http://www.epa.gov/students/teachers.html. And a great blog post: http://www.ecobabysteps.com/2011/07/19/how-to-teach-your-children-about-eco-friendly-living/. I love the tips they give, especially about being “easy going”, giving kids a little information at a time, don’t scare them, and let them arrive on their own at the place where it clicks.

Here are a few suggestions for things to use in teaching kids about eco-friendly living. ….

Books (Earth Day, Conservation, Recycling, Environment, etc…):

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh (free activity guide: http://www.walker.co.uk/UserFiles/file/Ten%20Things/10Things%20Activities-02.pdf)

All Around Me I See by Laya Steinberg (activities: http://dawnpub.com/activities/Camo_Activity.pdf, free teachers guide from the author: http://www.layasteinberg.com/AAteacherguide.pdf)

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon (post from Alluem Kids Yoga: http://alluemkids.blogspot.com/2011/03/all-world.html – includes a great visualization idea & a free teachers guide from the author: http://www.lizgartonscanlon.com/PDFS/All%20The%20World%20TG.pdf )

Care for Our World book & playset from Compendium / Live Inspired

Earth Day: An Alphabet Book by Gary Kowalski

Earth Day Birthday by Pattie Schnetzler

Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (video trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVQeY8bodYs)

How Can I Help? (series of 3 books: Protect the Land, Protect the Ocean, Save the Wildlife) by Earthwise Kids

Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel

My Mama Earth by Susan B. Katz (See a video preview on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-joIbJSDN4o)

One Child, One Planet: Inspiration for the Young Conservationist by Bridget McGovern Llewellyn (website: http://onechildoneplanet.com/)

Our Big Home: An Earth Poem by Linda Glaser (free activity guide: http://www.lindaglaserauthor.com/Our_Big_Home.pdf)

The EARTH Book by Todd Parr (free coloring pages: http://www.toddparr.com/imgs/fun/earthbook_coloring.pdf, the author reading the book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXnWUS_K0XQ)

The Happiness Tree by Andrea Alban Gosline (free teachers guide: http://www.ambledance.com/media/pdf/HT_Teachers_Guide.pdf)

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss  (see website below)

This Tree Counts by Alison Formento (free teachers guide: http://www.alisonashleyformento.com/Alison_Ashley_Formento/MY_BOOKS_files/Teacher%27s_Guide_THIS_TREE_COUNTS.pdf)

Where One There Was a Wood by Denise Fleming (free activities: http://www.denisefleming.com/pages/activities-wood.html)

 Coloring Pages (to be eco-friendly, use both sides of the paper):

“Save Our Species” free coloring book from US EPA – http://www.epa.gov/espp/coloring/cbook.pdf

Free kids Earth Day Booklet from US EPA – http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/k12_schools/KidsBrochure.pdf

Environmental Websites for Kids:

Conserving Now: http://www.conservingnow.com/parent-resources#pre

Dr. Seuess’ The Lorax Project – http://www.seussville.com/loraxproject/ & http://www.seussville.com/Educators/lorax_classroom/educatorlorax_discuss.php

Kids for Saving Earth – http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org/

Leave No Trace – http://www.lnt.org/programs/peak.php 

PBS EekoWorld – http://pbskids.org/eekoworld/ 

Planet Pals – http://www.planetpals.com/

small potatoes mother earth post

Check out this fabulous post on the Small Potatoes blog! http://mysmallpotatoes.com/2012/04/20/namaste-mother-earth/

KYS Earth Day free lesson plan

Free Earth Day lesson plan from Kids Yoga Stories: http://www.kidsyogastories.com/free-resources/

earth day memory game

Printable Earth Day Memory Game from LearnCreateLove.com: http://learncreatelove.com/?p=7018

natural kidz

Check out the Natural Kidz website for lots of eco-friendly products: http://naturalkidz.com/

Share your ideas for helping kids learn about being eco-friendly & going green by leaving a comment below or joining the discussion on the OMazing Kids Yoga Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga 🙂

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – wellness & inclusive activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com


NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the wavy divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.


Books for Kids Yoga – a Resource List from OMazing Kids Yoga

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Thanks to everyone who shared ideas as part of the discussion we had about kids books on the OMazing Kids Yoga Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=344588795592132&set=a.191017694282577.62242.174264525957894&type=1&theater)! I bought several new books based on your recommendations.

I went through my entire personal library of kids picture books to see which ones would lend themselves well to use in a kids yoga class and compiled a resource list with the book title, author & themes in an Excel document (so it can be sorted by title or author and can be searched by keywords). There are 188 books on the list so far and I plan on updating the list periodically as I buy new books 🙂

Excel document (you can sort, search & print – must have MS Excel to open): Books for Kids Yoga Resource List (from OMazing Kids Yoga)

PDF version (you won’t be able to sort but will be able to search and print – included this for folks who don’t have Excel): Books for Kids Yoga Resource List (from OMazing Kids Yoga). Need help with “searching” for specific words in a PDF? Check this out: http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/search.html .

Want even more ideas for books to use in a kids yoga class? Check out the “Books, Books, Books” album on the OMazing Kids Yoga Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.338142666236745.94253.174264525957894&type=3. I post new books, links to free printables & story props in this album frequently 🙂  I also set up an OMazing Kids Yoga Pinterest page so I may start using that to share info too: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKidsYoga/.

Also check out the cool bibliography from Yoga in my School:  http://yogainmyschool.com/pdf/yoga4literacy_bibliography.pdf (15 page PDF) and their new Pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/yogainmyschool/books-for-kids-yoga/.

Can you tell that I LOVE great kids books?!  Feel free to share any of your favorite books & details about how you use them either in the comments section below or on my Facebook page….. I love exchanging ideas 🙂

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids Yoga, LLC – inclusive yoga for kids & teens of all abilities in Norman, Oklahoma

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKidsYoga/

Blog: http://omazingkidsyoga.com

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the wavy divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.