Yes! We’re playing 31 Photos in 31 Days throughout December 2011. Take 1 photo a day for the month of December and share the link over at sh1ft.org photographic projects.
The last time we played it, I found it really challenging but FUN. It forces me to want to take better and more interesting photos – even if it’s on the iPhone. I miss taking photo walks and having film developed, so continuing these photo projects is important to me.
Yes! It’s another video! I told you I’m obsessed with iMovie – but getting an iPhone has really allowed me to be creative AND present when it comes to the kids. I love my Canon 550D but it’s so clunky to carry around everywhere….
Onto the video. Today was Jovie’s second & final occupational therapy assessment.
In the video, Jo is wearing kid sized headphones and listening to some calm music. Surprised she kept it on for as long as she did – she looked so cute 🙂
The session didn’t go as well as last week – I could tell she was tired and fed up within 15 minutes of getting there but we persevered as much as we could in the hour. I only shoot a few seconds of video at a time while I’m there, the rest of the time I’m partipating in the session. I got to go on the swing today! It was awesome but Jovie did not want and almost threw herself off it. A green teletubby toy saved the day but Jo wanted to leave so we ended it early today.
And as soon as we got home, she was like this –
Poor baby girl.
We have a parent meeting in 2 weeks to discuss what the OT recommends. I think whatever she says, it’s going to be a tough road for all of us. I’m very aware that Jovie has her problems with communication (amongst other things) but I would go to the ends of the Earth to help my daughter so I’m just eager to get started.
Finding toys for Jovie is tough. Really tough. If you look in our toy box(es), 85% of the toys are Jasper’s and the rest are toy’s we’ve bought for Jovie that she never touches. It’s part of our experience with Autism and a developmental delay – she just doesn’t know how to play with toys.
Even before the Autism diagnosis, we slowly learnt what toys suited Jovie and what weren’t. When Nuffnang tweeted a shoutout for people to review the Fisher-Price 1-2-3 Crawl-Along Snail, at first I ignored it – it would be another one of those toys that Jovie would ignore and would sit in the toy box. But after reading more about it, I decided that it would be a perfect opportunity to engage Jovie and encourage her to play. We never give up on Jovie, so anything we can do, we do.
I made a little video to show you our first ‘session’ with the 1-2-3 Crawl Along Snail (I’m developing quite an iPhone/iMovie making addiction here, lol).
As a toy for a neurotypical baby or child, I think it’s such a cute product that would make any child smile. For babies, the belly mirror would be perfect for tummy time, and the bright flashing lights and music (love that classic Fisher-Price music!) add to the charm of the Snail.
For kids with Autism or a learning disability like Jovie, I think it would be welcomed addition to the treasure trove of aides you’ll eventually gather. My favourite part of the Crawl Along Snail, is that it moves, makes sounds and flashes lights once you start interacting with it. Jovie only needed to bat at it, or kick it with her feet for it to light up – and it got her attention! It’s such a simple idea, but for Jovie it’s just right.
We’ll need more time with it, but it’s already been a hit in our home that I’m so glad that I got to review it 🙂
The Fisher-Price 1-2-3 Crawl-Along Snail is suited for babies 3 months and over, but absolutely look for it if you have a child with a learning disability too.
p.s. I also wanted to note that the 1-2-3 Crawl-Along Snail came with batteries AND the packaging has improved in the last year or so i think? There’s no complicated forest of wires holding the Snail into the box, just a couple of simple plastic ‘bolts’ you turn and voila, toy time! Thank you Fisher Price!