Kindness Kit #7: Inclusion and Special Needs
Below you will find directions to complete your service project(s)!
Service Project #1: Make Weighted Fidget Toys for Children with Special Needs
Materials:
One or more knit, stretchy gloves or car wash mittens
Glass Microbeads or Poly-Pellets/Weighted Stuffing Beads similar to the ones shown here.
Needle and Thread (or Sewing Machine)
Spoon
instructions:
These are really simple to make.
Grab some knit gloves/mittens or car wash mittens.
Use a spoon to fill them with the microbeads or poly-pellets/weighted stuffing beads (we use these instead of beans/rice as filler so that they are machine washable).
Sew the opening closed securely so the beads cannot spill out.
Deliver to the child or organization of your choice. If you are local to Eugene/Springfield, we donate these to Early Childhood Cares. You can find their contact information here to determine when to provide them with your donation.
Service Project #2: Become PenPals, Email Pals, or Video Chat Pals with a family with a child with special needs!
The best way to become more inclusive and break down “barriers” between ourselves and those who are different than we are is to get to know others better.
If you know of a family with a child or children with special needs from school, sports, church or other groups, reach out to them!
Do you know a family with a child or children with special needs? Reach out to them and invite them to become PenPals, Email Pals or Video Chat Pals with you. Have your children talk with each other in whatever media works best for everyone’s needs. Set up these meetings/chats regularly to really build a relationship and get to know each other well.
If you are having trouble deciding what to talk about, here are some ideas to help facilitate and guide your chats:
One child reads to another.
Do a cooking/recipe activity together.
Have a music lesson or sing-along session.
Play instruments together.
Show-and-Tell with pets, favorite toys, etc.
Do a craft together such as a painting project (arrange for each family to have the appropriate materials ready so you can each complete the project while video conferencing).
Play 20 questions, charades, or another game that is possible over video conferencing.
Don’t know anyone with a child with special needs or aren’t sure how to make this kind of connection?
Email us at hello@littlehandscan.org and we can help you navigate making a connection between your family and another family with diverse needs!