April 9, 2008
Dear Parents,
You may have heard in the news recently that there have been several cases of Measles reported in the United States over the last several weeks. Recently there was a possible exposure at SeaTac Airport on March 26th, and there have been several confirmed cases in Arizona, San Diego, Michigan, and Virginia, as well as suspected cases in Colorado. There are ongoing measles outbreaks in Switzerland and Isreal. Most of the confirmed cases are in unvaccinated children and adults.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted by respiratory droplets and airborne spread. The disease can result in severe complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis. The incubation period ranges from 7-18 days. The symptoms include rash, fever, cough, and runny, red eyes.
This is a good time to review your own immunization status and that of your child to be sure they are adequately protected. Current immunizations requirements include two does of MMR prior to kindergarten with the first vaccine given at 12-15 months, then the second give between 4-6 years of age.
Please contact your primary health care provider if you have any questions about your child's immunization status or any concerning symptoms.
Thank you,
Susan Ramage
EEU Nurse
Saturday, May 31st 5:00pm
Celebrate the mission of the Experimental Education Unit at the University of Washington. The EEU's Seventh Annual Auction promises to be an exciting event. Please come and learn how the EEU serves children with and without special needs in your community and beyond.
Hawaiian Attire Encouraged! Join us on Sunday May 18th, 5-8pm at Tommy Bahama in the University Village (Private Party - Live Music - Appetizers - Tommy Bahama Rum Sampling - 25% of all proceeds go to the EEU)
Click here for more information about the EEU Auction
For those who attended the auction last Saturday, here is another chance to view the EEU video. Click on the play button below to watch (you may need to download the player beforehand). Alternatively, to download the video to your machine, click here.
Carol J. VanRoekel Children's Garden at the Experimental Education Unit
The garden that started as a class assignment two years ago in the Master's of Occupational Therapy program has evolved into a place of learning, therapy and fun for young children. The garden brightens the courtyard and also functions as an outdoor classroom where children can learn by examining bugs, planting seedlings, sprinkling water, touching, smelling-and even eating the plants.
Therapists and teachers can use the garden with children at the school with and without special needs. Gardening helps develop gross motor skills, dexterity and coordination. The garden will provide the children with opportunities for sensory experiences, socialization, creativity and fun.
Many of the goals for the garden have been achieved, yet there is still more to be done. This year the focus is on completing elements of the project including: a sound area; a thorough review and addition of plants and supplies; and designing and implementing lesson plans with needed supplies for therapists and teachers to integrate into their classroom activities.
Help is needed to complete the final phases. Donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated by the teachers, therapists, parents and most of all the children. We also accept in-kind donations of supplies, plants, and services. Please contact Elizabeth Kanny, PhD, OTR at (206) 598-5393 or ekanny@u.washington.edu, if you have any questions or need additional information.
Download Garden Donantion Form
History: The idea for a Children's Therapy Garden at the EEU started as a class assignment in early 2005 for students in the Masters of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington. Elizabeth Kanny, OT faculty, presented it as a master's project idea and two MOT students signed on. The idea to convert an under-used and uninviting space into a therapeutic garden was then formally proposed to the EEU. Since then, the "garden project" has developed into a full time, ongoing master's project for second year MOT students and is in its second year.
In the first year, 2005-2006, activities included fundraising, garden design, and developing lesson plans for gardening activities with the children. We partnered with landscape architecture students and their faculty advisor to design a garden accessible to children with special needs. In September 2006 the garden was built. In the second year, three new MOT students came on the project to continue fundraising, designing sandbox and sound garden elements, selecting plants, implementing lesson plans, and other activities. We are planning a dedication ceremony for February 28, 2007.
Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapists provide services related to functional performance in everyday life. The focus of OT intervention is:
- Increasing independent function
- Enhancing development
- Minimizing or preventing disability
Occupational therapists can help children reach their full potential by using gardening as a means of evaluation and intervention for children with and without special needs. This can involve activities in the classroom focused on plants, bugs and nature, and it can involve activities in the actual garden such as digging in the dirt, planting seeds for flowers and vegetables, watering plants, and touching, smelling, and tasting the edible plants in the garden.
Purpose: The purpose of the garden is to provide an area where children can participate in activities to support and enhance their work in the classroom. Garden activities are unique in that they offer opportunities for sensory experiences, exercise, socialization, learning, creativity, and just plain fun.
The garden design includes:
Two raised beds for planting
Sandbox area
Sound wall/sensory area
It is very much a work in progress...
- $30,000 raised in cash and in-kind donations over 1 ½ years
- Lots of donated labor and materials
- Major garden elements built in September 2006
- Need money for plants, supplies, and materials to implement garden lesson plans
- Additional garden features (sandbox and sound areas) will be built in 2007
Literature: There is much literature on gardening and horticultural therapy for children providing evidence of gardening as therapeutic for children with special needs. Gardening is a fun and non-threatening activity that helps to develop gross motor skills, dexterity, and coordination. It focuses children on successful, functional outcomes, as well as providing physiological, social, emotional, and physical benefits. In addition, gardening is useful for education and development. Natural scenes increase a child's interest and attention span. Working in a garden "makes up" for missed or delayed sensory experiences. The realistic environment stimulates multimodal learning and an appreciation of the natural world, ecology, and natural concepts.