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Address IEP Goals

Using Fourth of July Traditions

Jun 30, 2006

A quick look at incorporating IEP goals and Fourth of July fun.

Remember the goals that you wrote with your child's teacher at his IEP meeting? You may have written goals for speech, language, fine motor, gross motor, or social skills.

As we approach the nation's birthday, consider the traditions you would like to pass on to your special needs child. Whether everyday activities or holiday celebrations, each offers special benefits for children with exceptional needs. Check out the list below.

Flags

Count the stripes on the flag for one-to-one coorespondence math skills.
Wave a flag to build muscle strength.
Color a flag picture to develop pattern awareness.

Parades

Sing a patriotic song to practice memory.
Grab the candy on the curb for hand-eye coordination.
Laugh at the clowns for emotional health.

Picnics

Make sandwiches to follow a sequence.
Pack the cooler for planning skills.
Take a hike to observe nature.
Toss a ball around for gross motor skills.

Barbeques

Practice safety around fires.
Plan what you will need to eat outside.
Consider what is heavy enough to hold down the napkins for cognitive thinking skills.
Clean up after the event for self-help skills.

Swimming

Practice water safety.
Swim for gross motor skills.
Toss a beach ball around for hand-eye coordination.
Relax in the water.

Fireworks

Discuss what other things are red, white, blue, green or yellow for practice with categories.
Predict the colors.
Discuss favorite fireworks to promote talking.
Share reactions with facial expressions for social awareness.

Above all use this opportunity to enjoy family, friends, and fun!

My next article:

IEP Speech Goals and Fourth of July Fun

Note: Activities represented here are ideas. Parents (not the author) are responsible for choosing an appropriate activity for a particular child and for the consequences of that activity.

The copyright of the article Address IEP Goals in Special Needs Parenting is owned by Lynn Moore. Permission to republish Address IEP Goals in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.