Not Your Average Backyard “Club”

Have you attended a Kid’s Club program yet? You may think back to the days where you and your friends formed your own club in your backyard. Our Kid’s Club program has a lot of similarities and some important differences to the club you once had. On the third Saturday of every month our club meets at 10:00am to hang out with friends, have a snack, and have lots of fun. That is where the similarities end. Kids Club is an interactive and engaging program for participants ages 8 through 12. We focus on strengthening language and speech skills through games, arts and crafts, group activities.

Program Leaders

The Program Leaders are Speech and Language Students from Northwestern University and they help the participants strengthen their communication skills through various activities. One of the ways they encourage opportunities for speech is through presenting information visually as often as possible. Individuals with Down syndrome often learn best when information is presented visually, therefore a picture cue paired with a verbal instruction may provide the best means of communication. An example of this would be using a sign or gesture along with a new vocabulary word. A picture schedule detailing the list of activities for the program could be helpful too. Another good way is to provide the participants the opportunity to make choices whenever possible. For children with verbal skills, they can communicate with words. Children with limited speech skills can touch a picture or object, use a sign or gesture to indicate their choice. If a child uses a voice output device, encourage the child/family to bring the device to the activity. ALL children should have the opportunity to make choices. Lastly, the program is full of multi-sensory activities engaging fine and gross motor skills in songs and dancing and craft projects.

Each Kids Club program is themed for the month to give the participants a variety of experiences to learn and grow. This month’s theme is “Be Thankful” and next month will be winter holidays. Join us on November 17^th at 10:00am for this month’s program. We hope you’ll come and meet our great Northwestern Speech and Language Student volunteers! Click HERE to RSVP for this and other great programs!