I teach in a pediatric psych unit where I educate kids from grades K-8. I am trying to create a safe and happy environment for my students while they are admitted at the hospital since many of them come from foster homes where unfortunately, they don't have that type of care. As a teacher in a low-income/high poverty school district, my students are faced with several challenges both in and out of the classroom. Many of them have experienced trauma in their lives and have difficult time academically in school.
My class serves students with a range of disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, autism spectrum disorder, and specific learning disabilities.
Despite the many challenges they face, I am looking to keep things simple and provide my students with creative and meaningful learning experiences.
My Project
With your generous donation I can help heal the hearts and minds of the children who are staying at the pediatric psych unit of a hospital in NYC as well as the medical unit. Many of the children I work with lack the social and emotional skills that help them cope with their everyday struggles. Through art, many of these children are able to calm their minds and bodies. This helps them focus on other areas of academics such as reading, writing, math, social studies, and science.
The items I chose for my project such as play dough and play sand will help them express their creativity without it drying out.
That way after the children are discharged from the hospital, the next child who is there will be able to be as creative as they can be as well. The crayons I am asking for will be given out to kids who are medically ill and cannot use crayons that have been previously used by other children before them. They get to keep the crayons for their entire stay at the hospital. The scratch art I am asking for has done wonders for the children in the psychiatric unit. It is so calming and relaxing for them. It is one of their favorite activities of the day and I could really use more before I run out. I like to start our day off with a group art project while playing calming music to help set the tone for the day. It really helps my kids focus and get ready to work!
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