Spirit of Giving Thanks: Theme for November!

Hello Mindful Synergy Guides!

Welcome to November. I hope you have started it out well and are looking towards a peaceful holiday season. I have to admit that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I enjoy the gathering of family, friends, and loved ones to give gratitude for one another and the bounty we enjoy in our daily lives.

I would like for everyone to support and guide activities that celebrate this idea of giving to others and especially giving thanks this month. Children on the autism spectrum are often mired in things being done TO them and/or FOR them. Let's take some time to show them that they too, have the desire and ability to give to others.

Please continue:

Connection is always first and foremost over any activity or task. If you are not connected, do not proceed. Take a moment (or two or three) to engage and connect with your student so that they can then hear your ideas, thoughts, and teaching.

Sequencing is an essential life skill that helps orient ourselves. Continue providing opportunities throughout your day and activities to support the understanding of the order of things (overall scheduling, recipes, stories, and more).

Ideas for new theme, integrating giving thanks:

•Make a card for a neighbor and deliver it
•Make a card or write a note everyday and mail or deliver to different people
•Instead of just making a snack for oneself, make another to share with someone else
•Paint or create art for someone else
•Collect bare branches to create a "tree" to hang notes of thanks indoors
•Write down in the journal everyday: people or things you are thankful for
•Sing songs of thankfulness that you make up together
•Target saying "thank you" this month for things that are provided to him/her

And one of my all time favorites is shown in this picture --->
Are you a Pintrest fan?  Check out some thankful trees http://www.pinterest.com/ListPlanIt/thankful-tree-inspiration/

Another....
http://bluebirdbaby.typepad.com/bluebirdbaby/2010/11/gratitude-tree.html

Anyone want to add ideas? Email them to me or post them here, we would love the collaborative thinking!  And thank you!

Barb