Kanics Inclusive Design Services, LLC.

Kids need to hang around more!

Many teachers are stating that children are presenting with a weaker grasp when they go to Kindergarten.

In order to develop strong hand skills, children need to develop a strong "gross grasp." Children naturally challenge hand muscles through outdoor play experiences such as holding onto a rope swing, digging in the dirt for hours, and climbing trees. This resistance strengthens and prepares the hands for being able to later hold utensils such as a pencil and crayon correctly.

(Photo via TimberNook of the Sandhills)

Saturday is ‘Inclusive Day of Play’ at 31 Minnesota playgrounds “It should be the norm for all kids to want to play together — no matter their ability.”

When students write by hand...

Via Neurochild Community

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

The NYS DEC has just announced a brand-new ADA Accessible Recreation Map! This incredible resource showcases 266 wheelchair-accessible locations across New York State, including trails, parks, beaches, and campgrounds. Explore the map and find your next accessible adventure today!

🗺️ Map:
https://nysdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8d03c8dc6bca45cb9f037d3d4b0d09dd

ℹ️ More Info: https://dec.ny.gov/places-to-go/accessible-recreation/destinations

The best ABC’s!

From

I had so much fun chatting with these children last fall about inclusive play spaces! I'm so excited to hear that they now want to design their own inclusive outdoor play space at their school!

Chaperoning at Glacier Ridge — Red Oak Community School The big yellow school bus pulled up to the 1,032 acre park – once covered in farmland, and before that, debris left by retreating glaciers.  ROCS had arrived at Glacier Ridge Metro Park.  “What did your student think of the bus?” I asked Jay, a new ROCS parent this year who ch

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I post a LOT on this topic.
I am passionate about helping adults understand that sitting young children at a table and telling them what to do is a huge detriment to their development.

Children NEED to MOVE their whole bodies. That movement happens best through child-led play, where incredible social-emotional development also happens, quite organically. ZERO curriculum necessary. (Im looking at you social skills curriculum)

I think we forget what PRE means, and far too many do not understand human development.

PRE = BEFORE, PREVIOUS TO

EVERY movement a child makes IS pre-writing.

Rolling, crawling, standing, balancing, climbing, pushing, pulling, jumping, running, pumping, hopping, throwing, catching, walking, skipping, dancing, squeezing, grasping, picking, cutting and threading are ALL "Pre-writing activities"

*****PRE-writing lives authentically in child-led play. ZERO adult lesson plan nor directing required. In fact, adults who interrupt play with pre-planned activities often times actually get in the way of what a child is doing so effortlessly. *******

It is so simple, so natural....if adults would take the time truly understand how our bodies work.

When children have ample time(and by ample I mean AT LEAST five hours a day) to lead their own play, you can ✅ pre writing off the list.

Remember: Writing does NOT begin with the fingers and hands. It begins with the CORE. The core must be strong and coordinated and able to work together with upper back muscles, shoulders, biceps, triceps, forearms wrists, hands and finally fingers.

Writing is about more than just fingers and hands. Pre-writing stations that involve sitting and squeezing, threading, grasping and tracing is just an itty bitty part of pre writing.

I ditched adult-directed "pre-writing" 10 years ago...the results have been children who have bodies and brains developed through their play PLUS intrinsic motivation (their own reason to write) who can simply WRITE. No need for months/years of tracing letters or isolating a letter for a week. Children need bodies that are ready + brains that are ready + a meaningful reason to write. ❤️❤️❤️

More inclusive play in Canada!!

Malcolm Jenkins, (owner of Canadian Tire) announced the grand re-opening of Alfred’s Playground today! The Jumpstart inclusive playground is located at the Alfred Jenkins Field House.
The new elements include swings, a spinner, 2 crab trap apparatus for climbing, global motion, a large Netplex structure, and a we-go-round. The surfacing is the red rubberized material identical to the original playground. This expansion will make the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Playground at the Alfred Jenkins Field House over 17,000 square feet, one of the largest playgrounds in Western Canada.

Healthy Holistic Living

WOW! That is so cool!

Check this out!

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