Everyone will have (or should have) a person who have inspired in life - a role model. or sometime more than one in different stages of life. Thats what exactly happening to me.
For me it has been mostly my father who has inspired me. But these days I know my inspiration comes from Abhi also. I always wonder at his self inspiration. Also he does not like to be discouraged. Inspite of his health issues, movement restrictions, he wants to try out everything - possible.
If we ask him what he want to become, his prompt answer will be pilot!
These days he is practising yo-yo along with his friend Adithya. He wanted to do all the yo-yo tricks as his gfriend does. So I have to learn first and then teach him!!!!!! And I thinks in another angle also - it is gong to improve his concentration and hand movements!
Yes..I am proud to tell that I am inspired by Abhi.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Paper cutting
Paper cutting is a good exercise for hand eye coordination.
Draw pictures and shapes with thick marker pens. Use craft scissors which the child will not get hurt. When kids use knife or scissors, always be present with them. Adult supervision is essential.
http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2007/10/making-ginger-bread-men.html
Draw pictures and shapes with thick marker pens. Use craft scissors which the child will not get hurt. When kids use knife or scissors, always be present with them. Adult supervision is essential.
http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2007/10/making-ginger-bread-men.html
Working with different materials and texture - create an Art
As I have told in my previous post, using different materials and different activities the children
with a little help from parents can enjoy doing art.
To enjoy creating a art from tits and bits around your home, visit
http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2007/10/simple-and-interesting-junk-art-for.html
Children will enjoy collectin all the things required.
The art involves,
using sand which can be spread by using different fingers and thumb. This improves the finger movements.
paper cutting - hand eye coordination. If cutting is difficult on pencil drawing, draw with thick marker pens.
colouring - using of brushes, colour combinations
paper boats - doing the paper folds will improve finger movements , hand-eye coordination and concentration
Sky is the limit for our imagination!
with a little help from parents can enjoy doing art.
To enjoy creating a art from tits and bits around your home, visit
http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2007/10/simple-and-interesting-junk-art-for.html
Children will enjoy collectin all the things required.
The art involves,
using sand which can be spread by using different fingers and thumb. This improves the finger movements.
paper cutting - hand eye coordination. If cutting is difficult on pencil drawing, draw with thick marker pens.
colouring - using of brushes, colour combinations
paper boats - doing the paper folds will improve finger movements , hand-eye coordination and concentration
Sky is the limit for our imagination!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Working with different materials and texture
Different materials found in and around our home can be used to improve hand sensitisation, finger movements, concentration etc. Some things which I use are listed down
- Sand, salt, kolam mavu, rice flour etc can be used. Our good old tradition putting kolam or rangoli is a very good activity for improving the fine finger movements! Even though for kolum we use thumb and index finger mostly, for our activity the children may be asked to use one by one finger and the thumb.
- Simple paper cuttings. Draw figures, shapes etc on coloured, textured papers and cut along the lines. Initially thick lines can be drawn with marker or thick sketch pens.
- Sticking beads, pebbles, grains, seed etc in a particular design
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Sorting Variety of beans
This is a very good activity for the finer movements of the fingers. Mix different size and color beans and sort them into as many boxes or containers.
The problem I find these days is that when I tell we have to do some exercise, abhi's face changes and he does not show interest to do the activities.
One way to make the activity interesting is , sit along and do it as a game as who sorts first, who wins more no of games etc. i think for sometime this will work....!
The problem I find these days is that when I tell we have to do some exercise, abhi's face changes and he does not show interest to do the activities.
One way to make the activity interesting is , sit along and do it as a game as who sorts first, who wins more no of games etc. i think for sometime this will work....!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Pallanguzhi
Pallanguzhi is an ancient indoor game, mostly played by the women of older times, who were mostly tied upto the inside of their homes. So natuarally kids learnt from them.
My grandmother had a very old Pallanguzhi made in teak wood I beleive and also a set of Manjadi kuru and a set of chozhi (small shells). Now I regret that didnt realize the value of the game and preserve it. We also used pulliyam kottai, beads etc. During summer holiday afternoons, we are not allowed to play under sun, and we will have countless rounds of pallanguzhi!
When Abhi's physiotherapist suggested playing pallanguzhi for his fine finger movement and his hand and eye coordination, I literally searched many toy shops in chennai to find a suitable one made in wood. But I still didnt get the old type of board. I specifically wanted wood, because the of its natural feeling. I use manjadi, white channa, dried peas, beads etc. This will give a variety to the game as well as for finger movements.
Another important aspect of this game is you get more skilled in mental arithmatic. When i play with Abhi, i even play with only 2 seeds in a hole, so that it is easy for him to calculate mentally. The more both players calculate and play, the more interesting the game will turn out.
If we analyse our ancient games, we will find the good reasoning behind each, which improves our body and mind.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Wet clothes and sponges.
Wet clothes and sponges give a good exercise and massaging to the fingers. Keep aside one or two new table wipes, big sponges or cotton clothes in different colours for the children to use. Make sure that the cloth or sponge is bigger than their palm.!
How to :
How to :
- Request them to help you in wiping the table, wash the car, wipe the mirrors etc.
- After each wipe ask them to dip the sponge in the water and squeeze the water out.
- For the car wash, add little soap and I am sure they will enjoy!
- Ask them to help you in washing their socks, handkerchiefs etc while you are washing their uniform.
- Tip them with small gifts, story books or coins for their piggy banks, once they are done with helping and squeezing the sponge.
Other ideas
- Give them water colours, sponge and charts. Show them how to dip and use sponge to make pictures on the chart, like leaves of trees, water, sea, sky etc
- Ask them to imagine and do pictures of their own. Do not tell rules that you have to paint like this, let them use their own imagination.
Note: Many times children's imagintion is very wild. It may not match ours, as we think more towards reality. They may paint the leaves red, flowers blue. But try not to restrict their imagination.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Making Paper rolls
Making paper rolls from used paper or news paper is a very good activity to improve the finer motor movements of the fingers.
Initially Abhi found it ver difficult to use his right hand thumb and index fingers to roll. So I used alter with right and left hands. Also I gave him pencils or straws to start the roll. Soon he picked up on the rolling. Slowly do rolls with papers of different thickness.
This activity can be made interesting for the kids, if it is done as a creative project or art. Visit the below link to check how to make a vase from the paper rolls.
http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2007/08/paper-roll-flower-vase.html
Initially Abhi found it ver difficult to use his right hand thumb and index fingers to roll. So I used alter with right and left hands. Also I gave him pencils or straws to start the roll. Soon he picked up on the rolling. Slowly do rolls with papers of different thickness.
This activity can be made interesting for the kids, if it is done as a creative project or art. Visit the below link to check how to make a vase from the paper rolls.
http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2007/08/paper-roll-flower-vase.html
Monday, July 30, 2007
Fun with Clay
Using clay is a very good activity for improving finger movements. Olden days children used to play with mud and clay outside our home. Now a days we are more worried about hygiene, cleanliness etc!
Artificial clay which is available in any stationary shop can be used and reused for a longer time. Usual activities done using clay includes:
- Making balls of different sizes with finger tips, palm etc
- Making strings, flattening the balls with thumb, flatting with rolling pin etc
- Make different shapes of different sizes and colors.
Alternate ideas which may interest the child to do the activity:
When dough is made for preparing roti, ask to help by making balls and also for making rotis using the rolling pins. The round mouth of a glass or other shapes can be cut to form different shaped rotis.
Buy M-seal available in hardware shop. Make small balls and arrange to form flowers, make leaf shapes, twines etc. This can be used to decorate pots etc. This requires adult attention. The work has to be done faster as the m-seal dries up faster. Also care should be taken so that the children don’t put it into mouth. Wash hands thoroughly once completed.
See the below post for a similar m-seal art work
Monday, July 23, 2007
Occupational Therapy
Physio therapy is generally like doing rigorous exercises, which will improve the muscles, flexibility of the body etc, catering to the overall structure of the body.
Occupational Therapy is more specialized therapy designed to enable/improve the individual to work with their arms and hands and achieve to function as independently as possible in their daily living activities. Generally it focuses on developing functional skills related to sensory-motor integration; coordination of movement; fine motor skills; self-help skills (dressing, self-feeding, etc.); learning alternative methods like using computers. The trained occupational therapist will be able to guide depending on the person’s abilities.
I have noticed with pain, it is so difficult for Abhi to do many activities which most of us do quite naturally. And the most difficult part for the other members of the family is the test of patience. We need to give more time for them to do by themselves. Also restrict ourselves from doing it for them, when we see them struggle to do.
Working out with a OT therapist is required. Many of the activities can be things we do with out much awareness or effort. So initially it did not even cross my mind that I will have to train Abhi or make him to practice doing these activities separately. In this aspect, the therapist will have many ideas and suggestions to guide. Going to V-Excel for OT has been very helpful.
Coming blogs, I will write some of the activities which we do and which I believe has improved Abhi’s motor skills and his daily activities.
Occupational Therapy is more specialized therapy designed to enable/improve the individual to work with their arms and hands and achieve to function as independently as possible in their daily living activities. Generally it focuses on developing functional skills related to sensory-motor integration; coordination of movement; fine motor skills; self-help skills (dressing, self-feeding, etc.); learning alternative methods like using computers. The trained occupational therapist will be able to guide depending on the person’s abilities.
I have noticed with pain, it is so difficult for Abhi to do many activities which most of us do quite naturally. And the most difficult part for the other members of the family is the test of patience. We need to give more time for them to do by themselves. Also restrict ourselves from doing it for them, when we see them struggle to do.
Working out with a OT therapist is required. Many of the activities can be things we do with out much awareness or effort. So initially it did not even cross my mind that I will have to train Abhi or make him to practice doing these activities separately. In this aspect, the therapist will have many ideas and suggestions to guide. Going to V-Excel for OT has been very helpful.
Coming blogs, I will write some of the activities which we do and which I believe has improved Abhi’s motor skills and his daily activities.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Practising Yoga Everyday.
“Practicing Yoga helps the integrated development of body as well as the mind.” says Yoga masters.
I took Abishek to Yoga master at Trivandrum , which is my native place. He taught Abhi around 15 Asanas to be practiced regularly. These asanas improves the suppleness of the muscles, joints etc and strengthens the spinal column in due course of time. The type of asanas reduces the stiffness in the joints especially shoulders, ankles, fingers etc.
It was advised to practice Yoga in the early morning or after sunset. We start with few minutes of deep breathing and follow with the asanas. It takes around 30-45 min every day. Some of the asanas like Makarasana, kids will enjoy doing themselves, while some others which requires more strain needs an adult help.
Bhujangasana
Artha Meru Dandasana
Yoga mudra
Padahasthasana
Pavanamukthasana
Rajjukharshanasana
Arthasalabhasana
Sasangasana
Garudasana
Makarasana
Artha Matsyendrasana
Arthakadi Chakrasana
Uthkalasana
Dhanurasana
Dola asana
Naukasana
Patmaasana
Shavasana
I also learnt yoga for my problems of wheezing and ligament problem in my knee. The effect is very good.
Yoga has to be learnt from a Guru or Master. Self learning is generally not advised.
There are websites which give information and other details on asanas.
http://www.yogasite.com/postures.html
http://www.bikrammissoula.com/postures.html
http://www.sivananda.org/
There is good book “Yoga Education for Children” by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, which explains many aspects of practicing Yoga, the postures for children.
I took Abishek to Yoga master at Trivandrum , which is my native place. He taught Abhi around 15 Asanas to be practiced regularly. These asanas improves the suppleness of the muscles, joints etc and strengthens the spinal column in due course of time. The type of asanas reduces the stiffness in the joints especially shoulders, ankles, fingers etc.
It was advised to practice Yoga in the early morning or after sunset. We start with few minutes of deep breathing and follow with the asanas. It takes around 30-45 min every day. Some of the asanas like Makarasana, kids will enjoy doing themselves, while some others which requires more strain needs an adult help.
Bhujangasana
Artha Meru Dandasana
Yoga mudra
Padahasthasana
Pavanamukthasana
Rajjukharshanasana
Arthasalabhasana
Sasangasana
Garudasana
Makarasana
Artha Matsyendrasana
Arthakadi Chakrasana
Uthkalasana
Dhanurasana
Dola asana
Naukasana
Patmaasana
Shavasana
I also learnt yoga for my problems of wheezing and ligament problem in my knee. The effect is very good.
Yoga has to be learnt from a Guru or Master. Self learning is generally not advised.
There are websites which give information and other details on asanas.
http://www.yogasite.com/postures.html
http://www.bikrammissoula.com/postures.html
http://www.sivananda.org/
There is good book “Yoga Education for Children” by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, which explains many aspects of practicing Yoga, the postures for children.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
How much should I do ?
Many times I have wondered how much should I work out with Abhi, so that I can make him better and reduce his difficulties. I have shared similar feelings with other mothers who have children with special needs. We want to give our children the best possible to make them near normal child. But in the run, the child should not be get stressed out or exhausted.
When I take my son out to park, social functions, gatherings etc, advises pour in abundance.
"I did that to my son, he got cured completely, now he is..."
"Do oil massage every day for 1 hour..."
"Send him for this and there will be difference in 15 days " and so on.
When I hear all these initially I used to get perplexed or feel guilty. Am I not doing enough for abhi. If I do that also, will it be beneficial.? But I found that I cannot do (or make him do) all these apart from his daily routines, reading/writing, school work etc etc. Worrying will only make me down and I feel dejected and irritated.
I slowly started to look in a different perspective. We are the best judge. I began to see from abhi's angle also. If he is comfortable or if he enjoys, we do that more - like cycling, paper cutting, working with clay and beads etc. Somethings I have to remind him often that it is good for him - like Physio therapy, Yoga etc.
More about Yoga, exercises and other activities in later posts...
When I take my son out to park, social functions, gatherings etc, advises pour in abundance.
"I did that to my son, he got cured completely, now he is..."
"Do oil massage every day for 1 hour..."
"Send him for this and there will be difference in 15 days " and so on.
When I hear all these initially I used to get perplexed or feel guilty. Am I not doing enough for abhi. If I do that also, will it be beneficial.? But I found that I cannot do (or make him do) all these apart from his daily routines, reading/writing, school work etc etc. Worrying will only make me down and I feel dejected and irritated.
I slowly started to look in a different perspective. We are the best judge. I began to see from abhi's angle also. If he is comfortable or if he enjoys, we do that more - like cycling, paper cutting, working with clay and beads etc. Somethings I have to remind him often that it is good for him - like Physio therapy, Yoga etc.
More about Yoga, exercises and other activities in later posts...
Monday, June 11, 2007
You cant expect a miracle in one day!
When Abhi was identified with his muscular&motor problems, we took him to one of the leading pediatric orthopedic surgeon. The above statement was his words, when we asked him when abhi can walk normally.
Any parent will undergo three phases, I think, anger or guilt, depressed and acceptance, when they come to know that their child is having a problem. At that time,we were in the initial state of mind and the doctor's words hurt us very much. Now I feel we have matured and have arrived at the acceptance level and we understand the statement well.
Yes. There cant be a miracle happening overnight. But definitely I feel the presence and kindness of GOD during many occasions. We bought a house and we never knew at that time that there is a school closeby where Abhi will be studying. The goodness of teachers, my best friends, therapists, and others who support us, enhances my trust in GOD. And most of all, Abhi's classmates and friends who understand him, support him and LOVE him.!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
The Obvious difference...........
Due to the muscular spasticity, Abhi requires more effort and training for his physical movements and activities. I could see how he struggles for even a very small movement, which comes so naturanlly for any other child..! Many a times I have controlled my emotins, so that he dont see my tears and feel disappointed or discouraged.
Recently one day we were practising smooth pencil strokes for the alphabets. He had to take lot of efforts to do that...finally he asked me - Mom, Why is it so with me, I am not able to do like others? I have to give him some explanations as to convince him for the effort he has taken.
What ever said, it always pricks and pains to see my child struggle. As the days go, does the difference show more? Will he be able to overcome ...?Things I can do is to give him the support required, Make him physically and mentally strong, and as independent as possible.
Everyday my prayer to GOD is to give me the mental strength required. GOD has bestowed in Abhi, lot of self inspiration and zest for Life, which I believe is the strength for him.
Recently one day we were practising smooth pencil strokes for the alphabets. He had to take lot of efforts to do that...finally he asked me - Mom, Why is it so with me, I am not able to do like others? I have to give him some explanations as to convince him for the effort he has taken.
What ever said, it always pricks and pains to see my child struggle. As the days go, does the difference show more? Will he be able to overcome ...?Things I can do is to give him the support required, Make him physically and mentally strong, and as independent as possible.
Everyday my prayer to GOD is to give me the mental strength required. GOD has bestowed in Abhi, lot of self inspiration and zest for Life, which I believe is the strength for him.
Gods Precious Gift - A Prologue
Some one told that a mother's world is always revolves around her children. HOW TRUE...
I have dedicated this blog to my son and his achievements
A short introduction to us....
My son Abhi, was identified to be a child with mild cerebral palsy (CP) at the age of around 1 and a 1/2 years. He has gross and fine motor problems. Luckily (GODs grace) he have a good IQ.
I am always touched by the article of Emily Perl Kingsley "Welcome to Holland". She has described the feeling exactly - what every parent of a special need child undergoes.
After 10 years of software career, I decided to take a break from the career for the good of my son. So that I have more time for his physio, exercises and studies. Definitely I beleive it has done good. Atleast I have that satisfaction.
As of now he goes to normal stream school at Akshayah Matriculation School. The teachers and his friends are all very supportive. Abhi is very soft, helpful and a sweet child. He talks a lot. He likes to participate in school events. He like to do whatever the kids of his age does. He passed Dakshina Baratha Hindi Prachara sabha' s Hindi "Prathamic" examination. He wanted to learn and write the exam along with his friends. He showed me that he can do!
He is definitely "Gods Precious Gift" to us. God has chosen us as his trusted parents to take care of this delicate but precious gift with utmost love and care. One of his favourite teacher once told me "Abhi is so good,You are Lucky to have him as your son".
I have dedicated this blog to my son and his achievements
A short introduction to us....
My son Abhi, was identified to be a child with mild cerebral palsy (CP) at the age of around 1 and a 1/2 years. He has gross and fine motor problems. Luckily (GODs grace) he have a good IQ.
I am always touched by the article of Emily Perl Kingsley "Welcome to Holland". She has described the feeling exactly - what every parent of a special need child undergoes.
After 10 years of software career, I decided to take a break from the career for the good of my son. So that I have more time for his physio, exercises and studies. Definitely I beleive it has done good. Atleast I have that satisfaction.
As of now he goes to normal stream school at Akshayah Matriculation School. The teachers and his friends are all very supportive. Abhi is very soft, helpful and a sweet child. He talks a lot. He likes to participate in school events. He like to do whatever the kids of his age does. He passed Dakshina Baratha Hindi Prachara sabha' s Hindi "Prathamic" examination. He wanted to learn and write the exam along with his friends. He showed me that he can do!
He is definitely "Gods Precious Gift" to us. God has chosen us as his trusted parents to take care of this delicate but precious gift with utmost love and care. One of his favourite teacher once told me "Abhi is so good,You are Lucky to have him as your son".
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