Now we are in the middle of winter but spring will be here before we know it. Are you ready? Be sure to create lists of things you would like to do with your child and map it out for spring. Schedules really help children especially when you will be spending more time outside. 1. Have times or activities listed with time limits so your child has an idea of what to expect. 2. Be prepared to spend time interacting with your child outside. Kids need reminders of the "rules of play". Ensure you teach throwing a ball, kicking the ball up the drive way, riding a bike, freeze tag etc. Be sure child has plenty of "imaginative" and physical plan. 3. Invite friends over and set a time up. Let your child know how long he or she had with a friend. Let the two of them come up with a schedule. Remind both of them to play nicely and define it. 4. Have fun...

With the New Year approaching I hope you are making realistic expectations. Most people like to make many changes so here is my suggestion for real success: 1. Make only one to two resolutions and start that day. 2. Keep resolutions specific and develop a plan on how to achieve your end result. 3. Self-check in..On the same time and day of each new week check to see if you are following your goals. If you are not, re-evaluate your position. Change is hard and old behavior is embedded with in you, start again, don't give up because of a bad week. 4. Note how you are doing by writing it down in a weekly journal. 5. Be persistant.

Happy New Year! This is a great time to prepare your goals and objectives for the following year. Each year, goals need to be "tweeked" or ammended to support the changing needs of the students. Some goals may be curriculum goals, but be sure to provide individualization to your child's IEP. At this point, evaluate current status, what skills do you plan for your child to achieve by June and what are some goals for the next school year. January is long and cold in the northern part of the U.S. so you have time to reflect and make projections for the future. Happy Planning.

Many families take for face value their child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). I do believe it is necessary to take notes with you to your IEP meetings so you can ask your questions. You have seven days to read over your IEP before you sign the NOREP (Notice of Recommendation for Educational Placement) which validates your IEP. If you sign your NOREP with something missing from your IEP the school district is not legally bound to adhere to your concerns. Be sure you place everything in writing and review your IEP. People do make mistakes and without the information in the document the school is not legally obligated to comply. Just a reminder, as parents, our jobs are never done. It is our duty to keep up on the paper work and to support the school providing our children's education. Check and recheck. What is 30 minutes of our time to review the document at home and to drop it off back at the school?