BELPRE, Ohio — Two days a week for six weeks this summer, Easterseals Occupational Therapist Mary Lee Kelly and Physical Therapist Shawn Jones invited children served by Easterseals to enjoy outdoor-based therapeutic play and games at Belpre Civitan Park. The Summer Games were made possible by a grant from the Donald Morris Charitable Trust.
The games took place in June and July. Participants included children who received occupational or physical therapy through school-based or West Virginia Birth To Three services. Sixteen families were invited to participate, and 48 sessions were completed.
"Belpre Civitan Park is the perfect location for our summer program. It offers shelter and shade; restrooms with running water; tables; a variety of play surfaces, including concrete for sidewalk chalk and floor games and grassy fields for lawn games, sports, and obstacle courses; and a new state-of-the-art accessible playground for children with more significant physical impairment," the therapists noted.
The therapists focused their sessions on teaching children and their families to create developmentally appropriate play activities to build gross motor, fine motor, and social skills using common household items and mostly inexpensive toys and materials.
Examples of these items are:
- pool noodles
- large spoons
- sidewalk chalk, and
- colorful plastic cups.
"We believe the use of common items is crucial for our families to be able to re-create activities and practice skills at home," the therapists said.
Participants also had opportunities to enjoy a wide variety of summer play activities that encouraged being outdoors and off technology devices.
"We offered structured games such as board games and sports, but most of the focus was on creating skill-building play," they said.
All participants made notable progress that was both observed by therapists and reported by parents and caregivers. The therapists related it was wonderful to see the children practicing specific skills and seeing the look on their faces when they "got it."
Overheard quotes from the participants included:
- "I think I'm getting better at this!" — Abi
- "I have a good idea for making this even harder." — Noah
Several of the older children made significant progress in developing social skills related to winning/losing, turn taking, and cooperative vs. competitive games.
It is hoped these soft skills will help decrease outbursts and anxiety in community and school settings.
