--- In ActiveLearning@ yahoogroups. com, "rose26392639"
<rose26392639@ ...> wrote:
>
> Hi Everybody
> I am so excited this group is finally going. Diana I think I have met
> you at an active learning play group in Menifee? We found out about
> active learning through a parent who did a presention at a braille
> meeting. I think the whole active learning theory is great. I do not
> understand why this is not something that is used throughout the
> school districts. We have built a resonance board for our daughter as
> well as a little room. We are saving up for the hopsa dress, essef
> board, and official little room. I have read a few of Lilli Neilsens
> books. I am going to school to be an early interventionist and would
> love to eventually have an active learning preschool. One question I
> do have is how often should we be putting Karleena in her little room?
> Right now we are putting her in it once a day for about 20 minutes.
> Thanks Jessica and Karleena
>
Hi,
I am thrilled that you find Active Learning helpful with your
daughter. I would like to encourage you to continue to use the
principles throughout your daughter's life. She will benefit from them
greatly. First, allow me to address a concern, and then I would like
to offer an answer to your question.

Many pieces of the Active Learaning equipment can be made at home, and
Lilliworks sells the plans for these pieces; however, the little room
is not one of them. I would caution you in building this particular
piece because carbon dioxide can build up in the little room if it is
not properly ventalated. This can cause your daugther to fall asleep
and could be harmful to her. Allow me to suggest a hanging frame that
is open on the sides. It will not produce the same results as the
little room, but it will produce good results until you can purchase an
official little room.

Aside from the above concerns, she can stay in an appropriately
designed environment for as long as she wants to. She may want to take
breaks (even naps) and then wake up and be more active than before.
Observation is the key. When she tells you that she is finished, then
I would take her out. Likewise, observation will tell you when she
needs the little room changed to the next developmental level.

When you begin the preschool, you may be able to write or apply for a
grant to purchase the equipment and the beam from which to hang the
HOPSI from. It will be exciting to have another preschool with an
Active Learning curriculum available to students with multiple
disabilities. I believe it to be a lack of understanding of chldren as
well as the program that prevents it from being used more often. I am
hopeful that as the successes are documented, then more programs will
surface to serve more children. Just keep learning, and I wish you
well. Diane