1st Virtual RI Children's Sensory Support Group Meeting (Tuesday, September 14th at 1 p.m. Eastern Time)

Please see the invitation below. There is still time to register.

 

Join fellow youth services librarians to share best practices for sensory story times and inclusive library programs and services. We will be discussing community connections, sensory activity ideas, and programs/services beyond story time.

 

Topic: Learn about Sensory Backpacks & the ALSC Library Service to Underserved Children and Their Caregivers Committee

 

About the presentation: Jaime will be discussing her work with the Library Service to Children and Their Caregivers Committee, including the resources available for librarians through this committee. She will also share details about the sensory backpacks circulating at the Plano Libraries, and share ideas and information about additional programming and resource opportunities for connecting with families with children with autism and sensory processing disorders.

 

About the presenter: Jaime Eastman is a senior public services librarian and Family Place Coordinator with the Harrington Library, one of the Plano Public Libraries in Plano, Texas. She currently serves as co-chair for ALSC’s Library Service to Underserved Children and Their Caregivers Committee. She writes regularly for the ALSC blog and has also had several articles published in Children and Libraries. She prepares and presents a variety of programs and story times for patrons, as well as creating and delivering staff training. She enjoys sharing the joy of literacy and the library with families and caregivers, and connecting others with the resources they need for success.

 

The Sensory Story Time Support Group is a grassroots community of practice developed and facilitated by Maria Cotto at the Pawtucket Public Library and Lisa Lesinski at the Barrington Public Library, with continued support from Babs Wells at the Greenville Public Library. The Sensory Storytime Support Group seeks to empower youth services librarians to better serve children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families by expanding programming, outreach, partnerships, and resources that welcome all abilities. 

 

For more information about the Sensory Story Time Support Group please contact Maria Cotto at mcotto@pawtucketlibrary.org.

 

Here's the link to register:

https://olis-ri.libcal.com/event/8280644

 

Follow us on Facebook: 

 

https://www.facebook.com/Rhode-Island-Sensory-Story-Time-Support-Group-184245458869666

DIY Sensory Play at Home (Sensory Falling Leave Bag) at the Pawtucket Public Library (RI)

 

 

Join Miss Maria in this fun DIY Sensory Play video and learn how to make your own sensory falling leave bag. Recommended for children ages 5 and up. 

 

Materials needed:

 

-Small or medium clear ziplock bag

-Clear or yellow hair gel

-Fall leave confetti

-Fabric/plastic leaves

-Sequins

-Yellow/Red or Orange glitter

-Yellow or orange food coloring

 

Instructions:

 

1. Draw an autumn tree without leaves on the ziplock bag

2. Pour the hair gel in the ziplock bag (not too much)

2. Add fall leave confetti (some)

3. Add glitter (some)

3. Add fabric/plastic leave (5 leaves)

3. Add sequins (some)

4. Add some food coloring to play and enjoy!

 

Follow us on the Pawtucket Public Library YouTube for more sensory activity ideas: 

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjdMj7toplpKsdwUwJbVjVw

 

Sensory Friendly Truck & Treat (Public Safety Special Needs Coalition)

 

2021 Buddy Walk going virtual October 3rd (Down Syndrome Society of RI, Inc.)

 

IMPORTANT UPDATE: In consideration of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on our community, we have decided to move the 2021 Buddy Walk to a virtual format.

The virtual walk will still take place on Sunday, October 3rd. Team captains are encouraged to walk and celebrate with their team in a way that’s most comfortable to them. 

 

All *team captains* will receive a drop off of their team shirts, team captain swag bag, team sign for teams that raised over $500 and pumpkins for all children registered on the team. This will take place on Saturday, October 2nd and we will give you a window of time in which your delivery will take place 48 hours in advance. For those not on a team, we will place your shirt in the mail. 

 

The deadline to receive a t-shirt is approaching quickly as you must be registered for by September 17th to get a shirt. Adult walkers can register for $15, and child walkers for $10. Registration will continue up to the date of the event on October 3rd. Click here to register now. https://www.ds-stride.org/dssribuddywalk

 

We encourage you to walk with your friends and family and share your experiences with us virtually so we may celebrate as a community. You can share by tagging us on Facebook or Instagram as well as emailing buddywalk@dssri.org. 

 

Thank you for your understanding and please know we will miss seeing everyone in-person again this year.

Take & Make: Sensory Stress Balls at the Greenville Public Library (RI)

 

 

Stop by the Young Adult area on Wednesday, September 8th and pick up a Take & Make: Sensory Stress Ball craft! No registration required. Kits are first come, first served while supplies last!

Building Accessible Library Collections for Individuals with Disabilities presented by Renee Grassi

You're Invited to Join a Webinar: Building Accessible Library Collections for Individuals with Disabilities presented by Renee Grassi

Learn how to create specialized collections to serve people with disabilities more inclusively at your library. In this webinar, Library Accessibility Consultant Renee Grassi will talk about developing accessible collections to serve individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, those with Alzheimer's, dementia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities, blindness or low vision. The webinar will include, tips on best practices for working with disabled community members and disability organizations to plan, assess and evaluate these collections, and gather tips for creating custom catalog and item records.

This event was made possible in part by a RAILS EDI Training Grant.

This webinar will be recorded.

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 01:00 PM in Central Time (US and Canada)

Here's the link to register:

https://railslibraries.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NttD7PqzQ62nEWLgSF7wlQ?fbclid=IwAR0wBgl40CP7kdtpVtLqDRQMtqF1wkLVtoOHqF-8ayHfTZX55g553kvJm8k

DIY Sensory Play at Home (Beach Sensory Bin) at the Pawtucket Public Library (RI)

 

Join Miss Maria in this fun DIY Sensory Play video and learn how to make your own Beach Sensory Bin. Recommended for children ages 5 and up. 

 

Materials needed:

 

-Small or Medium Clear Bin with top

-Sand

-Blue gems, vase filler

-Party Favors Toys (turtle, alligator, snakes, fish, etc)

-Shells, pearls and jewels

-Spanish Moss (Pretend seaweed)

 

Instructions:

 

1. Pour the sand in the bin (not too much)

2. Add Spanish moss, colorful vase filler (some)

3. Add animal party favor toys

3. Add shells and blue gems

3. Add spoon to scoop the sand

4. Add plastic eggs

4. Add a plastic cup for children to pour sand in the cup to play and enjoy!

 

Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14jXRa7m-1E

Bowling with the Public Safety Special Needs Coalition (PSSNC)

 

DIY Sensory Play at Home (Ocean Sensory Bottle) at the Pawtucket Public Library (RI)

 

 

Join Miss Maria in this fun DIY Sensory Play video and learn how to make your own ocean sensory bottle. Recommended for children ages 5 and up. 

 

Materials needed:

-Water

-Empty clear plastic bottle

-Baby oil

-Blue food coloring

-Blue glitter

-Shells, pearls and jewels (or small toys)

-Gorilla super glue (to seal the cap)

 

Instructions:

1. Pour water inside a clear plastic bottle halfway

2. Add shells, pearls and jewels

3. Add food coloring 4 or 5 drops

4. Add one or two spoons of blue glitter

5. Fill the remainder of the bottle with baby oil

6. Seal Gorilla Super Glue

7. Shake your bottle and enjoy!

 

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmLF33Kri4M

Certificate of Graduate Study in Transition for Youth with Exceptionalities

 

Rhode Island College and the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities are working together to provide a new program this fall semester. The Certificate of Graduate Study in Transition for Youth with Exceptionalities offers effective research-based transition practices to improve transition outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities.

To learn more, please visit:

https://www.ric.edu/department-directory/department-special-education/department-special-education-graduate-programs/transition-youth-exceptionalities-cgs?fbclid=IwAR2V44T5MGseBT8CweV8c5jAXSeTQHJSEjB0egOGg4Mkrj0FFvIuiheH5RQ

DIY Sensory Play Video