Training and Consultation
WHO WE ARE: Mary J. Sullivan Coleman OTR, MA and Laura J. Krueger PT, MA believe that play is critical for the success of ALL preschoolers, whether at home, school, or in the community. Having nearly fifty combined years of pediatric experience, Laura as a physical therapist and Mary as an occupational therapist, they have worked with children from birth through high school in school and clinic settings. They have had the privilege of watching the same children they knew as preschoolers, graduate from high school and over time they have had countless opportunities to listen to families and discover what in the end really matters for ALL children: to be an integral part of their communities. Over and over, the children keep inspiring Mary and Laura about the strength and resiliency of the human spirit. Mary and Laura have presented at national conferences, written for several publications and trained early childhood teams across the country from Anchorage, Alaska to San Antonio,Texas and from Long Island, New York to San Diego, California. They have learned from these teams as well and their experiences have been positive and exciting.
Training
Mary and Laura have developed a variety of trainings for families, early childhood regular and special education teachers, physical and occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, adapted physical education teachers and paraprofessionals.
Trainings include one and two day workshops related to best practice for inclusion of young children with special needs, integrating Play and Learn into already existing preschool curriculums and classrooms.
Mary and Laura also design training programs to meet the needs of specific programs, always supporting teams to provide rich learning opportunities that meet young childrens' developmental needs and build on their innate strengths through a strength- based IEP process.
Workshops are interactive and multi-sensory, filled with young children and their stories. They include movement activities such as the ElastaBlast and sensory breaks with fun and motivating music.
Mary and Laura demonstrate latest and best toy and game choices for young children, rich literacy ideas depicting diversity of ability, simple adaptations that make play accessible for ALL, cooperative three dimensional art projects, and ideas that can be taken back to home and work the next day.
As one participant wrote: "Thank you. You are excellent, hands-on "real" presenters! I came away enthusiastic and inspired... thank you for all you are doing to make life better for kids."
"You had so many ideas for modifying activities to address children's individual strengths and needs."
Music and movement in an activity increases the success rate of learning new readiness skills such as colors
Consultation Services
Consultation services are available to support families, staff, and teams in various environments from home to school and community. Mary and Laura were part of a team that designed, helped build and implement an accessible playground for young children. This playground has allowed children of ALL abilities to play together with peers, their families and even differently abled grandparents! In addition to playground equipment that engages children, the playground has three gardens: a butterfly, bird, and sensory garden for additional learning and socially engaging activities for children. Supporting children in their natural environments is at the core of Mary and Laura's work. They have helped families and professionals develop meaningful play environments for young children. Sensory strategies, adaptations, visuals, communication supports, engaging toys all help children play, move and have fun together. Enhancing each child's ability in his daily routines, activities, and places allows every child the opportunity to lead a rich and full life. This is at the heart of LET'S PLAY TOGETHER.
For more information contact:
Mary Coleman - mary@letsplaytogether.org
Laura Krueger - laura@letsplaytogether.org