On a cold and dreary day in February, a shipment from Crayola arrived at Via to be used in Via’s Inclusive Childcare program. In partnership with the United Way, Via’s Inclusive Childcare program helps childcare centers provide the same choices and opportunities for all children regardless of ability. The Crayola supplies will help Via’s Inclusions Specialists continue to impact the lives of children in these centers.
  Via’s Inclusion Specialists began brainstorming ways children could use the materials to further the shared mission of Via’s Inclusive Childcare program and the United Way to foster and promote the inclusion of children with developmental disabilities in childcare programs. Aside from the obvious uses for each of these items, here are some of the ideas:
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Envelopes and paper – create a “post office” where children write letters and send mail. Each child has an envelope with their name on it. Inside each envelope are letters cut out of paper spelling name that can be used for various activities while learning to spell their name.
- Markers that color on special paper – keep in the “quiet area” of each room so children need a place to calm down or regroup, they have a calming activity that does not make a large mess.
- Tempra paint – marble painting, golf ball painting, sponge painting, spray bottle painting (dilute with water and spray on canvas or outside).
- Tablets of paper – kindergarten children to use to create journal and practice writing.
- Wallpaper sheets – make cards, collages, and books with a story they invent and their artwork.
- Crayons – make bookmarkers (melt crayons between wax paper, cut to size of book mark and glue on).
- Paint Zoogles – do dramatic play with them and use the boxes they came in as stages for the characters.
The childcare centers participating in Via’s Inclusive Childcare program are so appreciative of these materials and the children have really enjoyed using them in new ways, other than what they been accustom. The projects have been designed so all children in the classroom can participate and feel proud of their creation. The childcare center staff are learning creative activities they can do with all children in their classrooms, regardless of the mixed ability levels. These activities encourage the shared mission of Via and the United Way, assuring that no child is excluded from participating.
One center used the materials to do activities and projects during national Week of the Young Child in April so parents could see their new creations as they came through the center during that special week.
There are many opportunities to partner with Via of the Lehigh Valley – through financial support, advocacy, in-kind contributions and more. We welcome new partners and excel at providing innovative and exciting ways to support Via through corporate volunteer programs, clothing drives and more.
For more information, contact:
Marisa Nimtien, Director of Children's Services
m.nimtien@vianet.org
• 484-893-5379
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