Sunshine Praises

Finding Hidden Rainbows in Everyday Life

  • Home
  • About
  • Media
  • Policies
  • Sunshine State
    • St. Augustine
  • Central Ohio
    • Buckeye Bloggers
  • Praises
  • Giveaways
  • Faith
  • Deafness
    • Sign Language
  • Parenting
    • Cloth Diapers
    • Ohio Cloth Diaper Stores
  • Disney
  • Adoption
    • Timeline
    • Deaf Adoption Advocacy
    • Infertility
    • Wishing for Rainbows
  • Run Happy
You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Our Disney’s Preschool Playdate: Creating Inclusive Parties #DisneyKids

Our Disney’s Preschool Playdate: Creating Inclusive Parties #DisneyKids

May 16, 2017 By Melanie Leave a Comment

Disclaimer: I received free products in order to host a #DisneyKids Preschool Playdate. The opinions expressed are my own.

One of the challenges of having a child with special needs is finding opportunities for enjoyable an fun play-dates. While my kids are fortunate that they have a large peer group at school, it is often challenging as a parent to see them excluded on the playground, in church and other kids activities. As they get older making sure that their social environment is free of boundaries will be an important challenge. This is why it is important for parents of typical developing children to remember to be all inclusive when planning birthday parties and play-dates.

What's in the Box? #DisneyKids
With the increase of special needs kids in the public school classroom, it is important to start thinking about how you can make your home (and your children) more welcoming of kids that are different than themselves. Creating inclusive and accepting events helps teach children about love, tolerance and acceptance.

Disney Preschool Party Decorations

Here are my 5 recommendations to creating an inclusive #DisneyKids play-date or party:

  1. Invite Everyone! There used to be a norm in classrooms that everyone get’s invited. Now parents send virtual invitations and skip handing out the envelopes and that gives them also the ability to exclude kids that might seem different, have a disability or might come from a different background. Instead of deliberately picking and choosing, invite everyone. Even virtual invitations are not secret, feelings still get hurt. Want to print your own invitations? Use an HP Card Kit and make something unique and special today.
  2. Call the Parent! When inviting a non-typical peer, reach out to the parent. Ask them what accommodations you can make for their child.
  3. Find a Buddy! Do you have an older child, neighbor or babysitter? Maybe the invited child has a sibling. Find someone to partner up with the child, help them with the activities, games and fun. This let’s the child feel more normal and gives mom a worry free break. (make it even better, offer to let her sit back and enjoy planning her next #DisneyKids vacation.)
  4. Everyone’s a Winner! Make sure there are a few games that everyone can feel successful playing. Each child has different strengths and weaknesses. Needs some ideas? There are lots of great birthday games that can be adjusted to become more non-typical friendly. During our party we had a Hidden Mickey Game, much like an Easter egg hunt, kids were sent out in search of Hidden Mickey’s on the playground. Mickey’s were located at various levels to make sure everyone could see and find them. You can add brail or print on textured papers if a child has a vision loss. You can add bright colors or make them larger for kids with Autism.
  5. Don’t Be Afraid! Yes, inviting a child with special needs to your child’s party might be weird and even a little bit scary. They might not the perfect party guest and there is a good chance they may lick the frosting or try to open a present. Be patient, be kind, you don’t need to be afraid of these little kids. Trust me, us special needs parents are more worried about our kid ruining your event than anyone else.

Hidden Mickey Game
 

Our #DisneyKids Pre-school Party!

We recently hosted our Disney Preschool Playdate with several of our deaf and hearing friends. While the party was geared towards preschoolers, my daughter and her friend hung out to help with the little kids. Since my son is obsessed with birthday parties, we called this “Mickey’s Birthday” and decorated with all the Mickey Mouse Playhouse items that arrived in our #EndlessMagic gift box.

We baked a bunch of cookies and cupcakes, popped some Pop-Smart Popcorn and had a Hidden Mickey seek-and-find game. Liven up your pop-corn with sprinkles, candy glitter and vanilla candy melts for a tasty Pixie Dust Popcorn treat.

One way we accommodated the needs of all the kids is by printing out a whole bunch of the Hidden Mickey images and instead of having the kids look for them and leave them, we taped about 20 of them through our playground and had the kids run around finding them. They were so ecstatic to find each Mickey head. When they had found them all, they had fun just swinging on the swings. Remember 1-2 activities for this age group is ideal. Kids ages 3-5 will transition from one activity to the next about every 5 to 10 minutes.

Back in the house we watched Finding Dory while taking turns snuggling our licensed Disney/Pixar Dory Pillow Pet. These little pillows are so soft and cuddly. Perfect for your sensory seeking, sensory friendly little tots. These fluffy friends are great for playing a game of “hot potato.” The large size makes them easy to handle and they are super soft so no one get’s hurt if they are thrown to hard. Pass the pillow!

Find All Our Favorite #DisneyKids products online!

You can create your own #DisneyKid Preschool Party by purchasing items mentioned in this post. Many dollar stores have the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse party items. Pick up your Pixie Dust Pop Secret Popcorn at your local grocery store. Make sure little hands are clean from grim by using Soft Soap Hand Wash Plus lotion.

Need Accommodation ideas?

If you ran across this post and are looking for ways to accommodate your next party, leave me a message in the comments and I will be happy to help you brainstorm some ideas. There are lots of ways to make your party inclusive for kids of all abilities.

Mickey Mouse Ears saying "See you real soon1"

Until next time. See you real soon!

We are off to Neverland but couldn’t do so without our amazing American Tourister Luggage.

Filed Under: children, Disney, DisneySMMC, parenting, praise, products, sponsored post, Travel, Uncategorized

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Don't Miss a Post!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up.

sunshinepraises

Chasing hidden rainbows and sprinkling #PixieDust 🧚‍♀️ about:
🤟🏼 #SignLanguage
💙💛#cheermom
🍊🏝#FloridaMom
#DisneyMom
#Adoption
#Newfie

We’ve also started Summer Swim Club! We have two We’ve also started Summer Swim Club! We have two signing coaches!
My little Z has a new sport! He’s learning track My little Z has a new sport! He’s learning track and field. Video is him running the 100m!
#deafkidscan #deafkidsrock
I’m kitten sittin’ this weekend and had a work I’m kitten sittin’ this weekend and had a work helper. Isn’t she the cutest?? 😝#kittensitten #kittenlove #hernameismeatball 😝
My BFFs and I made some crazy, stunning women! Pe My BFFs and I made some crazy, stunning women! 
Perks of living close to 95 is being a great place for a quick stretch and hug. 

Love these girls so much! #sunshinesisters ☀️
When your mama soul sister goes to Disney and spoi When your mama soul sister goes to Disney and spoils you with goodies!!! And feeds all your passions. #orangebird #squirrels #ILY #LunarNewYear
I am so proud of @islandcheerandtumbling Cheerabil I am so proud of @islandcheerandtumbling Cheerabilites Team Infinity! They are amazing and we had such a great time at @east_coast_championships in Jacksonville yesterday. This comp surely knows how to make their athletes feel special! Thank you ECC for being the best!
Happy 17th to the first one that called me mom! 🎂🎈🎉
Daytona STATE cheer weekend is over. It was a good Daytona STATE cheer weekend is over. It was a good competition but cold!
Little man passed 200 lines this week on his readi Little man passed 200 lines this week on his reading log. Reading at night is exhausting for his ADHD brain but we fight through. I’m so thankful for his TEAM at FSDB who work so hard with him. Deaf kids can read! #deafkidsrock #signlanguage #literacymatters #allthelanguage
When one of your besties is driving through and kn When one of your besties is driving through and knows you are right off the interstate, she plans 30 minutes for a hug and break! Two years is WAY to long to go without a visit! Thank you @southernsun74 for taking the time to love on me! 

See you in February!
My brain woke up at 4:30am - as I laid here, I tho My brain woke up at 4:30am - as I laid here, I thought about all the birthdays with you and all the ones that we have missed since you left us.

I’ve watched a lot of grief from the sidelines the past 6 months. I remember the days of counting Wednesdays then months, then years. And even though it’s been 26 years since we last celebrated your birthday, it feels like last year. 

There was no social media in 1996 but yet your smile and spirit continues to brighten lives. When people remember you, they do it with such love and joy. 

Oh my sweet Jenny - I miss your smile and your sunny outlook. I miss your goodness and light. 

Jenny and I bought these cute matching angels on our Christmas trip to the Galapagos. I haven’t thought of them in many years (I keep them stored away now after years of being in my car), but this morning as I sat in my grief they popped up in my mind. A broken wing, from a tragedy that still brings tears contrasted with the treasured moments of standing in a stall picking sweet matching angels for our Christmas gift to one another. 

Happy Birthday Sunshine ☀️
This kid is so stinking cute! #deafkidsrock #carse This kid is so stinking cute! #deafkidsrock #carselfies
Queen NoName is finally eat from a bowl? How do yo Queen NoName is finally eat from a bowl? How do you ask? Her kitten mousse is sprinkled with Lays Chips. #fedisbest #kittenstoo #bottlefedrescuekitty #sheloveschips
Lulu was blessed with a #tristynbaileystrong Boo 👻 bucket last week! She loves that someone chose her and sends a BIG thanks! With a day left to go…we prepped our own Boo bucket to drop off tonight. Hoping to continue to spread Tristyn’s beautiful light. #aquabowsforever #friendship #cheersisters 
—
As an adult who tragically lost her best friend 25 years ago and still loves to spread her smile around, it warms my heart to see how all of Tristyn’s friends keep her memory alive. 💗
Thank you @signingmomof2 for helping this ASL #sig Thank you @signingmomof2 for helping this ASL #signingstarbucks mug make its way to my home! 

Not only is this mug awesome because of it’s ASL features, it’s also amazing because it was designed by a Deaf Chinese artist who shares the same Chinese name as Lydia. (Yi)

Lydia and I got to talk about @yiillustration365days talent, watch some videos of her work and discuss how they share a name. 

Exposing Ly to cultural mirrors are a huge part of helping her develop a strong sense of self and being proud of her identity as a Deaf Chinese American. 

#transracialadoption #deaf #deafkidsrock #ASL #signlanguage #starbuckssigningstore #artist #Deafartist
She’s so stinking cute! #rescuedkitten #bottlef She’s so stinking cute!  #rescuedkitten #bottlefedbaby
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in