A compilation of activity ideas for Recreation Therapists to implement in a variety of treatment facilities. Enjoy!!
Found this on Pinterest...super interesting! via
A teacher calls an off-task student to attention, “Jack, please listen to these directions.” The student continues to carry on his conversation with a classmate, so a little more directed the teacher says, “Jack, listen to the directions and you can talk after we get started.” With a nod, the student acknowledges the teacher and verbally assents, “o.k.” but turns immediately back to his friend to finish. “Jack, I’ve asked you three times already, you need to listen so that you understand the task, if I have to speak to you again I will move your seat.” The student responds as asked. He stops talking, puts his head on the desk and refuses to participate for the rest of class. Can anyone other than teachers identify with this? For goal-directed individuals with high achievement motivation this is irrational behavior. “Better” students don’t do this. My AP-level seniors articulate as much every day. These students have no problem describing why they hate a given teacher (too much work, negative attitude, unfair treatment). But, their attitude toward the teacher makes no difference in their willingness to follow policy and work. Two years ago I taught “Jack.” Jack was in my government class with his girlfriend, “Jill.” They both came from an economically disadvantaged background. At seventeen, they lived a lifestyle usually more likely to be associated with twenty-somethings. They lived together with extended family. They both worked to contribute income to the family. Jill missed school often. Jack would usually provide the excuse that one of the younger children stayed home sick and Jill’s mother had to work. They rarely completed homework that couldn’t be finished in class. I could imagine why. Both of them worked and their income was needed to help with the family. At home, with smaller children, they were two of the three adults and with shift-work, often responsible for the children in the evening if not at work. Neither of them enjoyed school and both of them saw it more as a burden that made life difficult than an opportunity to make life better. They were both very good people and I enjoyed getting to know them, but they lived in a world different than one that I understood. After class that day, I talked to Jack about his behavior. I said something like this to him. “Jack, I don’t understand. When you get upset with me, you refuse to work as if not doing your work hurts me somehow. You’re only hurting yourself.” His response helped me understand a little better. School was the lowest priority in his life. At seventeen, he already had financial obligations and commitments related to the basic priorities of life—food, housing, health care. While not the head of a household, both of them assumed a level of responsibility for the family unit. They weren’t married, but in their socio-cultural context, they lived as a committed couple, looking to a future together. He felt little control over the outcomes in his life, but here, in the classroom was the one place he could exercise this autonomy and control with little concern about the consequence. We had a good relationship and I learned much from him. I wish that reformers and policy-makers could learn more from students like this. I know there are flaws in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs/Motives, but several examples are inarguable. If I need to go to the bathroom, that need trumps all others. If I need to eat, that need trumps all others. If I’m afraid, the need for security trumps all others. If I feel alone, a search for companionship pervades my life. If I feel like a failure, the search for success drives most of my action. But if my belly is empty I don’t have time to worry about the loneliness or failure, I just want food. Maslow’s Theory does not apply rigidly to all cases, but humans do prioritize the needs in their lives, striving to meet the most basic usually before even considering the higher goals of life. Isolated stories of overcoming the odds don’t prove the idea is wrong, it just proves that like most rules, there are exceptions. Educators must do everything within their power to overcome the odds of poverty and life circumstances with the children in their care. We must approach every child knowing that he or she has the potential to achieve. But we must never allow the public to believe the lie that education alone can level the playing field by creating the rising tide to lift all boats.
My friend told me this story she heard in a talk a little while ago. I keep thinking about it. Especially when I think about the "locus of control" and learning to let kids lead.
Prepare with our NCTRC practice test questions. These questions will help you increase your NCTRC exam score. Learn more.
After a few weeks of hiatus, here's the next manifesto on dealing with rude people! It's a complement to the How to Deal With Critical People , How To Deal
After seeing this post on Pinterest from Creative Clinical Social Worker, I thought it would be helpful to post about terminology to use for pediatric therapy. If you follow my blog or website, you know I love the words "facilitate", "promote" and "encourage". When documenting therapy sessions I tend to overuse the words "completed" and "accomplished". So in order to expand my vocabulary I looked over the list and added some of my own. Some of the terms are more suitable for evaluations and some are more suitable for on going documentation of therapy sessions. Try adding some measurable outcomes to these verbs for goal setting. Here is a list of documentation terminology for pediatric therapists: Accomplished Assessed Assisted with Completed Created Cued Decreased Developed Discussed Educated Elicited Encouraged Engaged Explained Explored Evaluated Facilitated Generalized Guided Helped Identified Increased Informed Investigated Modeled Modified Monitored Observed Problem solved Promoted Provided feedback Reviewed Reinforced Responded to Recommended Taught Tracked Utilized Validated Worked on If you would like a printable of this page to toss in your therapy bag, wallet or purse to increase your vocabulary next time you write up an evaluation or session note visit YourTherapySource.com. What is your favorite documentation terminology?
A few weeks ago I was preparing professional development for first and second year teachers in my school district. New teachers not only need the basics of classroom management, routines, procedures and relationships....but this year they also need training on how to effectively be a remote educator. The first year of teaching is difficult under normal circumstances, but this is no normal year. I feel for these first year teachers as so much extra is being added to their already overflowing plate. To acknowledge the amount of stress each new teacher is facing, I started with a What's On Your Plate? activity. This is a great activity to use with any age (youth all the way to adults)! The purpose of the activity is for participants to honor all of the issues and tasks they have on their mind. We have all heard the analogy, "My plate is really full." Which is a code phrase for, "My brain is so full, I literally can't fit any more in it!" We have all been there. We all know how stressful a full or overflowing plate can be. Whats On Your Plate? gives participants a chance to get all of those thoughts swimming around in their brains out on paper. This activity acknowledges how many responsibilities and commitments everyone has, and then allows them to set those thoughts aside and be fully present for the meeting, class period, activity, etc. See below for materials, instructions and plate example.
On the surface, beating on a drum may seem like a simple activity without much value. Anyone spending time drumming would argue otherwise. There is something calming, primal, and cathartic about drumming. Adding drum circles to your Recreation Therapy programming gives participants with all ability levels an opportunity for a social, expressive activity. Drum circles
My friend told me this story she heard in a talk a little while ago. I keep thinking about it. Especially when I think about the "locus of control" and learning to let kids lead.
Wondering what is therapeutic recreation and if it can help your loved one? Therapeutic recreation helps individuals with disabilities thrive in ways that are meaningful to them.
Disclaimer: I am not a certified therapist and if at any time you are feeling you need to talk to a professional or are having suicidal ideations please call: 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK) - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE) - National Hopeline Network 1-866-488-7386 (1-866-4.U.TREVOR aimed at gay and questioning youth) I myself, have lived through episodes of depression (seasonal patterns and acute depressive disorder) and have anxiety. I want you to know tha
This t-shirt is everything you've dreamed of and more. It feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and flattering for all. • 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester) • Fabric weight: 4.2 oz/yd² (142 g/m²) • Pre-shrunk fabric • Side-seamed construction • Shoulder-to-shoulder taping • Blank product sourced from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras, or the US Recreational Therapy Heart Gift Therapist RT Month Therapeutic Recreation Gifts. Makes a great present for the recreational therapist in your life.This would be great for any Activities Assistant or Activity Director to wear and make their coworkers smile! For everyone who is improving the social, cognitive, and physical health of their patients. Great gift for your family member uncle or aunt who is a recreational therapist. This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
We all have different reasons for entering the field of therapeutic recreation. Here is the story of why I became a recreation therapist.
Here are the 7 Things You Should Know About Being a Recreation Therapist.
Hobbies have many benefits for your mental, physical, social and emotional well being. Explore the benefits of having a hobby as an adult!
One of the many rewards of creating the TRRT blog is developing Recreation Therapy connections. It’s always great to find someone passionate about the field willing to share their thoughts and experiences to benefit others in the field. Recently, I connected with Chelsea Crockford, CTRS. She’s an extremely passionate new grad and professional looking to
A compilation of activity ideas for Recreation Therapists to implement in a variety of treatment facilities. Enjoy!!
