Activity #10: Drum Circle

Activity: Drum Circle!


Target Participant Group: Elderly population and children with physical/cognitive disabilities


Other Groups that may Benefit: Corrections, individuals with cognitive disabilities, children with Autism, individuals with MD, individuals with CP


Groups not Appropriate: individuals who may be bothered by loud noises, individuals with both arm amputations


Therapeutic Potential: encourages teamwork, builds skills in listening, communication & leadership, reduces stress, connects people, decreased anxiety and depression, improved joint mobility and posture, help with motor skills, increased energy, improved immunity, having fun,  making new social connections, gentle body movements promoting physical exercise, improves circulation, express creativity


Resources Needed: The main resource needed for this activity is of course, the drums.  Because drums may be expensive to purchase, there are companies available that will host a drum circle or rent out the drums and instruments.  (see additional resource section below for some links to these companies).  You may also need straps or other adaptive equipment such as tables depending on the participants involved in the drum circle.  You should also remember to have enough space and an adequate amount of chairs if needed.


Activity Description: A drum circle is a group of people from few to many positioned in a circle that use drums and other percussion instruments to create a musical expression.  This activity is great for groups and the therapeutic benefits are endless! It can be used for individuals of all ages and can be adapted for just about all populations! It is also great because there is no right or wrong way. It is simply creative and free expression and the individual can contribute as much as they are possible to the circle. 


Best Leadership Style: This activity would work best with one main leader within the drum circle.  All participants can listen to this leader and follow one set of instructions. This may  be essential if the group is trying to create a certain rhythm or sound effect within the circle.  Additional helpers may be used throughout the circle to help some individuals if necessary. 


Activity Source: I attended a weekend respite camp for children with severe physical and cognitive impairments.  We had a drum circle activity and the kids absolutely loved it! There was a host drum circle company who brought a wide variety of drums and other instruments so the kids were able to pick out which one they wanted to use.  The host of the circle led us in different rhythms and games.


Additional Information: http://drumaticinnovation.com/what-is-drum-circle * this is a GREAT website-- tons of therapeutic benefits for different populations and also is a company to host a circle located in Idaho.
http://www.drumcircle.com/
http://www.drumsontheweb.com/DOTWpages/Drumkeypages/drumcirclehome_2.html 
*this website lists different drum circles by states and countries

Activity #9: Flower Pots

Activity: Decorate flower pot and plant seeds!


Target Participant Group: Individuals with HIV/AIDS, elderly population


Other Groups that may Benefit: children with physical and cognitive disabilities, individuals with substance abuse, adults with cognitive disabilities


Groups not appropriate for: This activity is great and can be used for most all groups in my opinion!


Therapeutic Potential: enhance creativity and individuality, promotes mental and social well being, improve fine motor skills, increase self-esteem, increase observational skills, provides outlet for stress and emotions, opportunity to interact with others, cooperation, dealing with success and failure, learning environment


Resources Needed: 
flower pots (can be bought for pretty cheap at a garden store)
craft paint
sponge brushes/paint brushes
bowls for paint
sponges/stencils (optional)
dirt/cup for scooping it
variety of seeds for planting
Sharpie (if want to write names on bottoms)
newspaper (to cover surface)


Activity Description:


This activity is simple and tons of fun. The individuals can start by decorating their flower pots with paint.  This part is the fun part and should encourage creativity from the individuals.  Once the pots have dried, they are able to fill the pots with dirt.  Next, they can choose what they would like to plant in their pot and place the seeds in the dirt.  Make sure to tell them to keep the pot in a sunny spot and water it daily!


Best Leadership Style:  Depending on the size of the group and ability level of the participants in the group, one facilitator should work for this activity.  It is fairly simple, but if the individuals have certain impairments they may need one-on-one assistance when decorating their pots.  This activity is great because it can be done in a group setting and allows the participants to interact with others in the group while they decorate their pot and plant their seeds. 


Activity Source: I first decorated my own flower pot and planted seeds in it when I was in girl scouts.  This is a well-known, popular activity.  This is just a sample of horticultural therapy and may spark an interest in further gardening such as creating a garden at an assisted living home for the residents to participate weekly on certain "gardening days".  


Additional Info: http://voices.yahoo.com/making-own-flower-pots-51998.html?cat=32
http://www.orientaltrading.com/design-your-own-mini-ceramic-flowerpots-a2-56_9292.fltr

There is not much additional info, but you can search for creative designs online by typing in "painted flower pot" on google images.

Activity #8: Rainsticks

Activity: Build/Create your own rainstick!


Target Participant Group: At-risk youth, children with physical/cognitive disabilities


Other groups that may Benefit: children with ADHD, children with Autism, adults with cognitive disabilities, individuals with HIV/AIDS


Groups not Appropriate: This may not be age-appropriate for the elderly population.  This activity would work best with kids in my opinion.


Therapeutic Potential: promotes visual attention, coordination, fine motor skills, motor planning, strength/endurance, promotes individuality and creativity, may enhance self-esteem


Resources Needed:
 Cardboard tubes  from paper  towels or  gift wrapping or mailing tubes 
A tool  to punch holes in the tube such as a drill
Small hammer
Toothpicks  or  flat  head nails  (1 inch diameter  tube ,  7/8 inch nail) 
Glue  
Masking tape  
Wire cutters or sturdy scissors
"Fill "  seeds, pebbles, rice, dried beans, shells, beans, etc.
Materials to decorate the outside of the tube:
paint, crayons, stickers, yarn, feathers, sparkles, etc.


Activity Description:


1. Drill or poke holes in the cardboard tube.  Creating a spiral staircase pattern, place the holes about one inch apart.  If you are using nails, it is not necessary to drill holes. Simply hammer the nails in. Note: This step may need to be prepared and completed ahead of time, depending on the population you are doing the activity with.


2. Insert the toothpicks through the tube.  Placing them through at different lengths will create different sound effects.  If using nails, hammer them through the tube in a spiral pattern.


3. Cover the nubs where the toothpicks and nails stick out with masking tape.  Seal one end of the tube with masking tape or duct tape may be used.  


4.  Place fill items of your choice in the tube.  Covering the uncovered end with your hand, shake the tube to see if you like the sound it makes or want to add more or different kinds of fillers.


5. Cover the other end of the tube with masking tape.  Note: you may be creative with a different kind of covering if masking tape is not sturdy enough.


6. Decorate the outside of your rainstick! You may try paper mache, tissue paper, sparkles, yarn, or anything you desire! Note: I used a paper bag to cover the rainstick so the child was able to color their rainstick!


Best Leadership Style:  This activity would work best with one facilitator per 1-3 participants if available.  If the first couple steps were completed before, it will work with one facilitator with a small group of people.  It would be best to have extra facilitators/leaders when working with an active group of kids.


Activity Source: My dad brings home old cardboard tubes from his parts department at work.  I made a jumbo rainstick in middle school and thought it would be neat to try with the kids I babysit for and also a kid I watch who has muscular dystrophy.  It turned out great and worked really well!!


Additional Info:  
There are many websites out there on making rainsticks, all with the same general guidelines but a few different twist-off ideas from these guidelines.  (try googling create your own rainstick to find more websites than those listed below)
http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/water/Documents/HowtoMakeaRainstick.pdf
http://www.education.com/activity/article/South_American_Rainsticks/

Activity #7: Octaband

Activity: Octaband!


Target Participant Group: Children with physical and cognitive disabilities, senior adults, elderly population who have Parkinson's disease


Therapeutic Potential of activity: Promotes visual attention, coordination, motor planning, strength, endurance, promotes individuality and group cohesion, physical activity through movement, fine motor skills, awareness of others, encourages cooperation


Other Groups that may Benefit: This activity can be used for people of all ages and abilities. It is very open and can be  adapted to use with all populations!  The website suggests that it can be used for children with Autism/Asperger's, children with ADHD, individuals with psychiatric illness, individuals with substance abuse, and group activities with elderly.


Groups not fit for Activity: As stated above, this activity is great for people of all ages and abilities; however, it may be difficult to use with individuals who have extreme cognitive impairments or individuals that have had both arms amputated.


Activity Description:
The Octaband is a stretchy, spandex interactive tool that has a center circle with "legs" coming off of it.  You can purchase the Octaband with 8 legs or 16 legs. The Octaband website has an activity guide that provides different games, songs, and activities that are created to use with the Octaband.  For example, a kid's game may be placing an object in the center and having the individuals hold one of the "legs" and try to bounce the object without letting it fall off.  There are SO many games and activities that can be used with the Octaband.  The Octaband is great because it can be used for all different ages and has many benefits.  The activity guide is the best resource for various options/uses of the Octaband.


Resources Needed:   Octaband-- can be purchased online for 59.99 (8 leg) or 91.99 (16 leg).  This is a bit pricey; I think that one could be created easily for cheaper by sewing spandex material.


Best Leadership Style for Activity: This activity would be best with one or two facilitators, depending on the size of the group.  


Activity Source: I heard about this activity from an occupational therapist.  I researched it online to find out more about it. 


Additional Info: The Octaband website tells all! http://www.octaband.com/index.htm

The activity guide can be found here: http://www.octaband.com/activityguideforblog.pdf

Activity #6: Bubble Painting

Activity: Bubble Painting!


Target Participant Group: Children with MD, Individuals with Cognitive disabilities


Therapeutic Potential of Activity:  This activity has many potential therapeutic benefits including increasing attention span, boosting morale ( fun activity), enhancing creativity, and achieving a sense of pride in one's work.  This activity can also help with coordination by painting in a different way than the norm.


Other Groups that can Benefit: Other groups that may benefit from this activity include at-risk youth.  This activity would also be great for individuals who do not have much range of motion or strength in their hands such as children with muscular dystrophy.   This activity is very simple and fun and has the potential to be used with a wide range of individuals; however, I would aim this activity mainly for younger children. Groups that may not be appropriate include individuals with severe cognitive disabilities and the elderly population.


Activity Description: 

Cover the work surface with newspaper.

Pour a quarter cup liquid dishwashing detergent into a shallow dish. If you use powdered tempera paint, mix a small amount of water with the paint.

Add the paint mixture or liquid tempera to the dishwashing liquid until the color is intense.

Place one end of a straw into the mixture, and blow until the bubbles are almost billowing over the edge of the dish. (tip- place a piece of masking tape over the blowing end of the straw and poke a hole with a needle in order to prevent the painter from inhaling the paint)

Gently place a piece of construction paper or other paper on top of the bubbles and hold it in place until several bubbles have popped.

Continue this process with different colors, blowing more bubbles as needed.

To make a unique greeting card, use a piece of construction paper folded in half.

When dry, the individual can add drawings to the picture and sign their name if desired. 

   Materials:  

• Newspaper
• Liquid dishwashing detergent
• Shallow dish
• Tempera paint
• Straw
• Construction paper or other paper

Best Leadership Style: The best leadership style for this activity would include one or two facilitators, depending on the size of the group.  This activity is pretty low key and simple so a ratio of one facilitator per 10 kids would be sufficient. (depending on ability levels)

Activity Source: I found this activity on pinterest from the arts and crafts board. (someone blogged about it, see link below)  I have also seen it used with groups of children at summer camps in the arts and crafts area.

More Info: http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2010/01/kids-art-bubble-painting.html

Week Twelve: Long Leadership, Fitness & Games

   Last Thursday, we switched class plans around a bit because of the weather.  Only one group presented their long leadership activity.  We went to a racquetball court at the rec and began by stretching out a little.  We then played sheet volleyball.  We had two groups, each with one sheet, and we worked as a team to move the sheet in order to launch the volleyball.  I thought this game was creative and fun, but it did get old pretty quickly.  We then played a partner charades game.  There was an inner circle with one partner and the other partners made up the outer circle.  The leader called out a charade such as "churning butter" and we had to find our partner and act out the charade. This game was high energy and tons of fun! The last game was "humans vs. zombies".  This game was confusing to many at first.  We all closed our eyes and one person was the zombie.  When two people ran into each other, the humans would scream and the zombies would not.  If two zombies ran into each other, they would turn back to humans.  


   Overall, I liked the charades game the best and would consider using it in my future with a group of kids.  I would consider the sheet volleyball for individuals working on arm strength or fine motor coordination. (their hands holding the sheet)  I did not particularly enjoy the "humans versus zombies" game because I thought it was not very exciting and would be difficult to use with the intended population of individuals with visual impairments.  As facilitators, I would have planned more games and played them for shorter time periods.  The environment was also hard to hear them because their voices echoed.  I would have split the class into smaller groups and had one facilitator explain the games to each group.  


  I had a fun time trying out new games this class and participated with an open mind and also gave constructive feedback during the processing circle at the end. 

Week Eleven: "Shooting Beauty" & Group Projects

    Last week in class we had an amazing guest. Her name is Courtney Bent and she is the creator of the "Shooting Beauty" project.  This project involves the creation of adapted camera equipment accessible for individuals with disabilities.  I was in awe listening to Courtney talk about her life journey.  I thought it was incredible that she became involved with people who have disabilities and connected her passion of photography to ultimately have her dream career.  She shared with us the story and many pictures.  I really liked how she discovered the importance of giving individuals with disabilities freedom and independence. I think this is one of the most important messages.  I was in disbelief at her ability to assess individuals and come up with adaptive equipment for them to use the camera on their own.  My favorites were the man who controlled his wheelchair with his tongue and the man who was able to take pictures by squeezing a button between his knees.  I found myself deeply inspired by not only her story but by her optimism and creativity.  In my future, I hope to be as innovative and creative as she is, or at least half as much. :) I loved how she was so interested in what we were doing as a class too! I will also keep in mind in my future to check around for pricing on equipment because she mentioned how she bought extendable arms from a film catalog for a lot cheaper than an adapted equipment catalog. I cannot wait to watch the film "Shooting Beauty"... what an amazing story. I am so happy that we had the chance to meet her and have her come in to talk to us for a little bit!


   We started the long leadership group presentations this week. The first group did a chalk art activity aimed for use with persons with HIV/AIDS.  I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this project! They read different prompts to us on what to draw. Some of the prompts included:
- drawing a shape of how you feel
- draw three things you did today
- draw what makes you sad
-draw what motivates you
-draw what people see you as
-draw what you want others to see you as
- write a message to someone you haven't talk to or seen in awhile


I thought this simple chalk art activity was very therapeutic. I found myself hesitant to draw what was making me sad, but once I did I felt a release from within.  I also loved sharing with others about what I drew and seeing and hearing about what they drew.  I think this is a GREAT activity for many populations.  I think it would work great for the target population of HIV/AIDS because it is a release of feelings and has the option of group share along with the ability for only the individual to know what they drew. I really liked how this simple activity turned out to have a deeper meaning and good group discussion.  I think it could also be used with markers or other art utensils if the weather was bad or it was winter.


   The second group presentation involved team integrative games.  We played a number of "New Games".  These are cooperative team games. One of the games we played was called "people to people".  This game involved partners within a group.  They would call out two body parts, for example, elbow to forehead. Partners would have to perform this action (one body part each).  When they said "people to people" you had to switch partners.  I think this game would work great for kids.  We played a team game involving keeping a ball in the air. I think this would work great for a group of individuals with  disabilities because it challenges them to learn about taking turns and also working towards a common goal as a team.  I think that they would have fun with it. We played a team train tag-on game as well along with a circle "duck duck goose" type of game. These were both fun and very active. I think these games would work great with kids as well.  I really enjoyed all of the games! I plan on definitely using "New Games" in my future professionally and also for summer camps.


  This class period was full of fun, as always.  I really enjoyed the variety of things that we did in this class period. In my future, I hope to use the chalk art activity or a variation of it along with the New Games. I am inspired by individuals like Courtney Bent. She gave us the advice of "going after what you want and do something you love."  I thought that was amazing advice. Ultimately, I hope someday to create something new for adaptations for individuals with disabilities and just want to do something I love. I think my number one goal in life is to love what I do. If it involves touching the life of someone else, I know I will love it.


  I actively participated with enthusiasm throughout this class.  I also gave feedback for both groups on their projects/presentations. I stayed after to hoop again! It was so much fun! :)


  I love learning from others and found myself very happy and inspired after this class. 


I am so excited to keep learning about new activities and recreation.  I only declared my TR major this year and couldn't be any happier. I think I found my calling in life, or at least somewhere to start. :) Ah, life is so good.

Week Ten: Therapeutic Hula Hooping

   
  
   Alright, so I know I say I have enjoyed every class thus far, but honestly tonight's class was the BEST. Ali is a UWL TR graduate who has a passion for hula hooping.  She recently received a grant for starting a therapeutic hula hooping program for incarcerated women. She came in to our class to spread the love of hula hooping and also as a part of her official license as a hoop instructor. I would describe her as spunky, hilarious, and free-spirited.  She was SO much fun. She began by showing us a powerpoint about hula hooping and its physical and psychological benefits. There are endless benefits in both categories.  Some include improving overall fitness, relaxation, meditation, improving self-confidence, and improving organ tone. Ali told us about her journey through the hoop and how huge of an impact hooping has on her life.  I thought this was so fascinating because many people think of hula hoops as kid toys or hula hoop contests.  It was so interesting to learn about hula hooping in a totally different light.

  After being introduced to the benefits of hooping and what it is, we were able to create our very own hoop! We were able to pick what size hoop we wanted and cut off the irrigation piping.  After we cut the piping, we put the ends in hot water to make them more flexible.  Once they were heated up, we inserted a fastener plug into the hoop and connected it. The process was super easy! The only thing I thought of was that when working with different populations it is likely individuals will need assistance with the cutting of the hoop and construction part.  Once the hoop was connected, the fun part came. There were many different fun colored rolls of duct tape including neon colors and fun designs.  We ripped strips of duct tape and decorated our hoops however we wanted! We were all in a common study lounge area decorating our hoops.  It was really fun to look around and see everyone so focused on their hoop and peronalizing it.  I really enjoyed that we were able to create our own hoop because I think it gave our hoop a deeper meaning for us because we went through the process of creating it and decorating it on our own. 

  After we had our hoops made, we went outside and hooped! Ali ran us through a warm-up and cool-down.  During the warm-up we did different moves with the hoop and she wanted us to focus on using our hands.  I really learned that hooping does not mean the traditional hula hoop move around the waist.  Hooping involves many different movements and is very individualistic.  The possibilities and moves with the hoop are endless and creative.  Hooping is more of a dance because it is all about feeling the free spirit of hooping and really "getting into it."  I thought the hooping part was really fun but I wish it was longer and we would have learned more moves with the hoops. 

  In my future I will definitely be able to use the activity of hooping.  I think that hula hooping is great and can be used for all populations! The possibilities are endless.  Stephen talked about his son and hula hooping.  There are also ideas that hula hooping would work great for kids with Autism because of the "hug" sensation and a soft textured hoop can even be used.  I thought about using hula hoops within geriatrics for helping with hand strength and arthritis.  I think that a big hula hoop could be used and people can work on holding the hoop together and off of this base different activities and games could be created.  Today's class made me think not only about hula hooping, but also about different simple basic things that can be used for SO much more than what they commonly stand for.  I had always thought of hula-hooping as a contest that you see on a cruise ship or something.  I now have been exposed to the deeper meaning and world of hula hooping.  Funny thing is, I asked for a hula hoop for Christmas. (along with new toothbrushes.. yeah, I am a bit strange) I received a hula hoop for Christmas (I was on Santa's nice list) and I had fun trying it out with my family.   They all made fun of me for wanting  a hula hoop for Christmas.  I loved it though and was even sore and brusied the next day from hooping! After today's class, I called my Dad and rubbed it in his face for laughing at me about hooping.  I told him about what I learned and that hula hooping is becoming a new fitness method.  I think hula hooping is AWESOME and I am so happy I had the opportunity to learn all about it.  I think creating the hula hoop and then actually using it would be a perfect activity for so many different populations!

  In tonight's class, I "aimed for excellence" by fuly participating in hooping.  I also participated in the post discussion and really thought about the therapeutic implications of hula hooping. 

  I am so excited to continue to hoop.  My next goal for hooping is to tandem hula hoop with my roommate. :) ( this IS possible-- youtube it and you will be amazed!)

Tonight was a great class! I cannot stop telling people all about it and showing off my hoop! :)

Week Nine: Adaptive Activity Presentations

  This past week in class we had group adaptive activity presentations! The first presentation was about adaptive kayaking.  We learned about different equipment adaptations such as paddles, kayak sizes, and kayak shapes.  As an activity, we created adaptive equipment for kayaking.  My group made adaptive paddles with grips out of spoons and also thought of the idea of rope for two kayaks to attach to be used for an individual with a visual impairment or even other populations as well. The second group presented about cycling.  Jess brought in her cycles that she uses and we went out in the parking lot to try them out! I thought that was really neat! Her cycle was a speed cycle and was lower to the ground.  The other one she rented from YWCA was one that you sit in a seated upright position.  This cycle would be a lot easier for transferring. The third presentation was about "goal ball".  This team sport involves blindfolds and a ball that has a jingle inside. The objective is for one team to throw the ball and the other cannot let it cross their goal line.  We went outside and were able to try the game out! It was a lot more challenging than I thought it would be. I had a lot of fun trying it out! :)


  The next group presented on extreme sports.  This included a variety of sports such as dirtbike racing and skateboarding (wheelchair style).  It was neat watching Aaron Fotheringham complete a backflip in a wheelchair. (first to do so) We then learned about adaptive aquatics and yoga.  We tested out some chair yoga poses.  My group's presentation was last. We presented about adaptive hunting and fishing.  Overall, I thought all of the presentations went well.  I think that it was very interesting to learn about a variety of adaptive activities/sports and liked that the groups had interactive activities for the class to actively participate in. 


   Today in class I learned a lot about a variety of activities.  From the presentations, I was able to have a brief overview/introduction to the activities.  I will be able to use this information in my future by being familiar with the activities and some useful adaptations for the activities.  After researching about adaptive fishing and hunting, I feel confident that if I am in a situation involving an individual who would like to participate in an activity that may need adaptations for their abilities I will be able to adequately research the hobby and locate or create adapted equipment for the individual.  


   I "aimed for excellence" this class period by actively and enthusiastically participating in the activities led by the groups.  My favorite ones were the cycling and goal ball.  I also helped contribute to my group's project.  


  All in all, class went by pretty quick today.  It was neat having the entire class full of student presentations.  I like to see what others come up with because it usually gives me ideas for future projects or activities.  After all, TR majors are all pretty creative. :)