The Creative Outlet Method E-Book

Joshua Levy

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Bildung
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 184

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

A practical guide for parents and special educators to help enrich the lives of children with special needs In The Creative Outlet Method Book of Creativity: At-Home Activities for Children with Special Needs, certified special education educator Joshua Levy delivers practical and effective resources for conducting over 30 enriching theater arts and improvisational activities. The included exercises will allow children with disabilities to demonstrate creativity, increase self-confidence, and build social skills. Special needs children will benefit from the innovative approaches included in The Creative Outlet Method and experience creative energy from the comfort of home. The book also offers: * Opportunities for children with special needs to achieve their academic, social, and behavioral goals * Activities that enrich the lives of special needs students, their parents, and other caregivers * A 10-step framework to improving the learning outcomes for children with special needs The Creative Outlet Method Book of Creativity is an indispensable resource for the parents and caregivers of special needs children, special education teachers, administrators, and therapists. It's also a must-read for K-12 general educators looking for ways to better engage with their special needs students.

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

The Creative Outlet Method

Component 1: Implementers and Recipients

Component 2: CUPSS

Component 3: SOfTS – Serving Others for Tremendous Success

Component 4: RAE of Sunshine Approach

Component 5: The Five Cs

Component 6: HIPPP Rules

Component 7: Audience Types

Component 8: Activity Plans – Activity Plan Template

Component 9: Celebrate Success

Component 10: The Creative Outlet Method Cycle

Sample Activities for a One-Hour Session

Activities

Setting Up the Welcome Circle

Welcome Circle: HIPPP Rules

Welcome Circle: Audience Types

Welcome Circle: Ferris Wheel Round of Applause

Welcome Circle: Name Game

Welcome Circle: Eye Contact Clap

Welcome Circle: Pass the Sound

Welcome Circle: Warm-Ups

Sourdough Talk Show

Animals Alive: Walk, Talk, and Use Chalk

Follow the Leader

Magical Rocks

Character Creation

Hey, Hey What?!

Object Transformations

Comic Strip

Categories

Statues in the Park

Juice

Pizza

Mashed-Up Monologues

Monologues

Yes, And

Alien Interview

Scenes for Two

Imagination Circle

Freeze

Guests at a Party

What's on TV?

Fortunately, Unfortunately

What's for Dinner?

Create a Story

My Message for You

Contact Information

About the Author

References

Index

End User License Agreement

Guide

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Table of Contents

Begin Reading

My Message for You

Contact Information

About the Author

References

Index

End User License Agreement

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Praise for The Creative Outlet Method

“The Creative Outlet Method is an amazing assortment of activities to make group participation (and skill-building!) fun and exciting for all children, including those who need structure and guidance to successfully interact with friends and peers. Step-by-step instructions, lists of needed items, and supplemental materials are included, making it super-easy for families and caregivers to create successful performances at home or anywhere!”

—Kathy Brill, M.Ed., M.P.S., Co-Founder of Parent to Parent USA, disability advocate, and consultant

“Developing the creativity of children with disabilities is often overlooked when focused on other essential life skills. Joshua recognizes the benefits of living a creative life, and his book provides a comprehensive, user-friendly guide for families and professionals to nurture children's creativity while simultaneously growing their communication, social skills, positive behavior, and joy.”

—Kristina R. Berzina, veteran special education teacher

“Parents, teachers, therapists, and caregivers will be thrilled to add these unique, theatrical activities to their toolbox for engaging with children. Joshua's method is a collaborative, fun way for kids to build skills, and utilizes a strengths-based approach. This method not only applies to special needs and neurodiverse children and adolescents, but it can also be used with neurotypical and combined groups!”

—Sarah B. Silverman, PsyD, licensed psychologist

“Joshua Levy has woven aspects of explicit instruction, applied behavior analysis, and social skills training into a book that parents, teachers, and anyone who works with children with special needs can use proactively to improve interactions and positive outcomes. His experiences and passion for storytelling and theater provide a unique gestalt for learning. The activities in this book include many parts yet the totality of experiences and benefits goes beyond their individual combinations.”

—Dr. John W. Maag, Larry & Sharon Roos Professor of Special Education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, author of Parenting Without Punishment, a Parents' Choice Award recipient

BY JOSHUA LEVY, MED, MBA

THE CREATIVE OUTLET METHOD

At-Home Activities for Children with Special Needs

With a Foreword by Elizabeth Hampton, MA, CCC-SL, Associate Director, The University of Texas at Austin Michael and Tami Lang Stuttering Institute

Austin, TX 2022

Copyright © 2022 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Published by Jossey-Bass A Wiley Brand111 River StHoboken, New Jersey 07030www.josseybass.com

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, [phone], fax [phone], or on the Web at www.copyright.com. Requests to the publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, [phone], fax [phone], or online at www.wiley.com/go/permissions.

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional where appropriate. Further, readers should be aware that websites listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when this work was written and when it is read. Neither the publisher nor authors shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Certain pages from this book are designed for use in a group setting and may be customized and reproduced for educational/training purposes. The reproducible pages are designated by the appearance of the following copyright notice at the foot of each page:

The Creative Outlet Method. Copyright © 2022 by Joshua Levy. Reproduced by permission of John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is Available:

ISBN 9781119873495 (Paperback)ISBN 9781119873501 (ePDF)ISBN 9781119873518 (ePub)

Cover Design: Paul McCarthyCover Art: © Getty Images: (Children on Stage): Adam Taylor(Wheelchair): Design Pics/Ron Nickel

This book is dedicated to—

Mom and Dad for believing in me well beyond “The Spaceship of the Rain.”

My sister Jenny for all that Shazz.

My wife, Lori, daughter, Shayna, and son, Noah, for putting up with the world's best Dad jokes of all time, around the clock.

Foreword

Like most families, between soccer games, dance classes, birthday parties, and keeping up with the household, Saturdays in our house are jam-packed. Therefore I know my meeting with Joshua Levy was meant to be. The universe had to be in perfect alignment for us to be available and seeking out an activity on a Saturday morning. This is how my husband and I found ourselves with our (then) six-year-old-daughter at the Barrel O' Fun event space, taking part in a Joshua's Stage improv class led by Joshua. As I observed him at work, engaging the children of all ages in puppet making, improv, and role play, I was struck by his enthusiasm, his connection with the children, and the clear intentions of each activity that he presented to his active, participatory, young audience. As a practicing speech-language pathologist, it was apparent to me that while he ensured the children were having fun, he was simultaneously helping them grow their confidence as communicators, and he was also modeling how parents and caregivers could provide the same opportunities at home.

This is the heart of Joshua Levy's The Creative Outlet Method: At-Home Activities for Children with Special Needs. Joshua recognizes that all children want to participate and communicate, but what that looks like for each one is different. In this practical, how-to guide, Joshua has provided encouraging techniques and meaningful activities to spark fun and performance and that meet a range of learning styles, allowing for each child to feel welcome, heard, encouraged, and successful. The approach provides parents, teachers, and caregivers with clear instructions for how to lead children to grow their creative expression, and to further develop their self-confidence and their self-esteem.

What grew from my first meeting with Joshua Levy was an opportunity for the two of us to collaborate as he has lent his Creative Outlet Method to support the goals of the Michael and Tami Lang Stuttering Institute at the University of Texas at Austin's Targeting Communication Excellence programming for children who stutter. I have witnessed the joy his work has brought to both our participants and their parents as they have taken part in the Eye Contact Clap and the Ferris Wheel Round of Applause, turned into magical rocks, made pizza before our eyes (no food required!), and performed the most elaborate of stories, all within an hour's time. This is a group of children who all communicate in different ways: Some are outgoing, some are shy, some stutter, some are siblings who have come along for the ride, but all of them are having fun while communicating and interacting in new and innovative ways.

It is Joshua Levy's unique background as a special educator, educational administrator, and consultant that has given him the talent to develop the Creative Outlet Method and book that supports the creative expression of all children. In addition, his fun-loving personality, empathy, and positivity contribute to his foundational belief that all children should have the opportunity to perform and share their talents in an affirming and successful way. His book provides parents, caregivers, and educators the tools they need to do just that. Have fun as you share and implement these activities with the children you love to bring them much joy and creative growth.

Elizabeth Hampton, MA, CCC-SLP

Acknowledgments

I discovered my creative spirit at an early age, and it continues to shine with me to this day. My upbringing, experiences, and background led me to founding Joshua's Stage, and from that endeavor I developed The Creative Outlet Method. I am sincerely humbled by the people who profoundly influenced me as both an author and educational entrepreneur, and who continue to impact my personal growth.

Since my immediate family has embraced my vegan cooking, it is only fair that I start with them. I am most appreciative of my beautiful wife, Lori, our amazing children, Shayna and Noah, and our three dogs (who also tend to enjoy my cooking) – Husker, Sophie, and Zoey – for supporting me while I wrote this book. Mom and Dad, for encouraging me to just be JBL, and for wisely advising me to always be nice to everyone because I never know when I will see them again. My sister, Jenny, for being a wonderful creative partner through our endless adventures in songwriting, silly dances, and full-scale dramatic productions, and for being my friend. My aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and in-laws for supporting my creativity.

Kristina Berzina, my friend who gets my out-of-the-box thinking and for reviewing this book. Shelley Anne Friend, I am blessed by your inspiration, guidance, and love for our family. Thank you, Naomi Ritchie, for your support and love for our family – I loved how John made everyone feel like the most important person in the world. To Gregg and Michelle Philipson for your friendship and for loving our family.

Kristi Boeckmann, for introducing me to the world of teaching special education at Eisenhower Middle School in San Antonio, Texas. Saralee Robbins, for guiding me as a teaching assistant for a Sunday School special needs class at Temple Israel in Westport, Connecticut. The Mary Cariola Center in Rochester, New York, for allowing me the opportunity to work with children with significant cognitive and physical disabilities. Kim Rosenthal, for supervising my special education student teaching experiences at Humann Elementary in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dr. John Traphagan, my friend and mentor, for initially leading the Joshua's Stage cause.

Alicia Garnes, for supporting and fine-tuning the words to the Joshua's Stage vision during soccer practices and coffee. Todd Wilson, for continuing to lead and inspire the cause for Joshua's Stage. Bob Shaver of SCORE–Austin, thank you for your mentorship and valuable insight.

Matthew Brutsche, who taught me to think of something exclusive. Adia Dawn, for helping me map out the Creative Outlet Method.

Thank you to the families who sign up for programs with Joshua's Stage, especially the Ankeney, Eppes, Yaeger, and Lees families.

Thank you to the organizations who invite Joshua's Stage to conduct workshops with your participants. Thank you, Elizabeth Hampton, associate director of the Michael and Tami Lang Stuttering Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, for inviting Joshua's Stage to your organization, and for writing the foreword to this book. To Adrienne Barnett and Rachel Hamilton at the Thinkery, for supporting Joshua's Stage and my endeavors. Much appreciation for Chad Dike at the ZACH Theatre and Kristin Henn at the Move Your Tale and Excused Absence improv programs for collaborating with Joshua's Stage. Thank you, Maria Hernandez with VELA, for promoting Joshua's Stage to your organization's families. Thanks, Coach Jason Williams of The Fitness School, for supporting Joshua's Stage, and for your motivational pep talks when I needed them the most.

Thank you to the staff and families at the Capitol School of Austin and at William's Community School for embracing the Joshua's Stage after-school program. My sincerest gratitude to Jeannette Young, Kara Huss, and Suzanne Byrne for your support, encouragement, and guidance.

To the Temple Beth Shalom community, for opening your hearts to Joshua's Stage, especially to Rabbi Amy Cohen, Jordan Magidson, Jeremy Moran, and Alice Marsel.

Instructors and volunteers at Joshua's Stage who foster The Creative Outlet Method: shout-outs to Josh Kuehner, Brooke Conway, Maggie Moore, Anna Westbrook, Luke Wallens, Laura Nagy, Sara Shapiro, Jen Mattson, Pam McDonald, Amanda Varcelotti, Tatum English, Mel Cole, Joy Goldfin, JoLynn Riojas, Daniel Brantley, Amber Kirk, Sam McDonald, Catherine Conner, Sarah Carder, Kim Dragon, and Jackson Sutton.

Thank you, Dr. Jon Pierce, for inviting me to teach adults with disabilities at the University of Texas.

Special thanks to the Weiner, Septimus, and Fricke families for carpools and for looking after the kids while I was building Joshua's Stage.

Thank you to the Greenleaf publishing team for copy editing and proofreading the manuscript. Thank you, Morris Publishing, for printing my self-published version of this book. Thank you, Jossey-Bass/Wiley Publishing, for bringing this book to even greater heights.

Preface

Throughout my nine-year career as a special education teacher and assistant principal, I experienced children with special needs demonstrating aggressive and challenging behaviors including hitting, punching, damaging property, using profanity, leaving school grounds, and screaming excessively. While many of the children had a Behavior Intervention Plan included in their Individual Education Plan, the consequences for their actions seemed to outweigh the positive rewards for their better behaviors. While I instituted token economy systems in my classrooms, I felt that I did not have a firm grasp on catching kids being good. I continuously wore the feelings of wanting to do more for my students like wearing an old shirt every day.

When I was seven years old, I started writing stories and plays, beginning with “The Spaceship of the Rain,” my story of a boy and girl being visited by an alien, only to be killed by the alien – which my parents nevertheless applauded. I was motivated to further lean into my creative spirit. I proudly produced, directed, and performed an original play, “Jackie the Realtor,” in my bedroom, where my sister Jenny starred as Jackie.

My core values are compassion, empathy, and sincerity. These values fuel my desire to help others use their talents and do their best. My experiences as an educator combined with my creative spark and passion for serving others are the essential ingredients in the Creative Outlet Method.

The Creative Outlet Method is the foundation for Joshua's Stage, the nonprofit organization I founded in 2016, whose mission is to enrich the lives of individuals with special needs by providing the opportunity for each participant to demonstrate creativity, develop and maintain self-confidence, and build relationships with peers against the safe and fun backdrop of fine arts, performances, and exhibits.

The Creative Outlet Method seeks to reinforce participants' positive behaviors while decreasing their negative behaviors, using an innovative and unique positive behavior support system. While instructors at Joshua's Stage are trained to implement the Creative Outlet Method, I believe that parents of children with special needs can also successfully conduct theater arts and improv activities using the Creative Outlet Method. Knowing that parents/primary caregivers can be the strongest influences on a child's growth, you will have the opportunity to make a significantly positive impact on your child's development by using this book. The activities in this book, combined with the 10 components of the Creative Outlet Method, are designed for you to provide opportunities for your child to demonstrate their creativity, increase their self-confidence, and build their social skills. Imagine the moment when you and your child are laughing together because you are performing these activities. Your and your child's creative sparks will shine well into your child's future.

Introduction

While I don't have children with special needs, I can empathize with parents who reveal their stories to me, which often include feelings of frustration, self-doubt, overwhelm, isolation, anxiousness, and utter exhaustion.

Parents share with me that their child's school has little to no idea how to meet their child's needs, or that the ideas that the schools brainstorm are irrelevant to the needs of their child. Many parents and teachers are frustrated by ill-fitting enrichment programs offered by schools. All too frequently I hear from parents that their child was removed from a program because the staff was unable to successfully meet their child's needs.

While parents have no intention of being combative with their child's school, or with the enrichment program, their instinct to protect justifiably kicks in when their child's needs are not being met.

Parents describe the appointments their child endures, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, family therapy, group therapy, in-home therapy, individual therapy, social skills play groups, and the list goes on and on. In addition to therapy appointments, several children take medication for myriad reasons, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, behavior management, inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Do any of these stories or feelings resonate with you? What if your world could be different? What if the frustration, self-doubt, overwhelm, isolation, anxiousness, and utter exhaustion were transformed and manifested itself into something amazing?

Imagine your child laughing with friends and family because you are doing something unique and innovative with your child. You are meeting your child's needs in a fun, creative, and well-organized play date, birthday party, or family gathering that is child centered.

And the coolest part? You feel alive, energized, and recharged. I can hear it now: “And the parent-of-the-year award goes to …” you!