O.k. it's that time of year again! If you are looking for some ideas on putting on a Christmas show with children who have special needs, or you have a mainstream school and have one or more special needs children - here's my advice for your plan this December!
1) Try to avoid creating an 'all new' series of activites and songs. Include elements of your group's routine, such as your greeting's song, circle time etc. This will help your group feel comfortable and show off the skills you practice every week.
2) Have the children make as many of the decorations as possible. Even if they don't take part in the whole show, their contribution can be made in other ways. For example, paint a huge cardboard Christmas tree together. Write the children's names at the section they painted and add decorations they made.
There are printable decorations on my Christmas colouring page: http://www.hometrain.ie/christmas/
3) Make a card or gift for children to give to each other. We are making cards with our group's photo on the front, and each child makes and decorates one. During our Christmas show, they will give their card to a friend.
4) For children who are non-verbal, make decorated cut-outs of the following shapes. Try the song below.
Get a copy of the instrumental version of 'Partridge in a Pear Tree'. Give each child a shape to hold (attaching the cut-outs to sticks helps) and get them to stand or hold up their shape at the right time.
If this is tricky, be clever with your seating arrangements!
Another bit of advice is to decorate your shapes both sides - this will save you having to remind children to turn them around!!
1) Try to avoid creating an 'all new' series of activites and songs. Include elements of your group's routine, such as your greeting's song, circle time etc. This will help your group feel comfortable and show off the skills you practice every week.
2) Have the children make as many of the decorations as possible. Even if they don't take part in the whole show, their contribution can be made in other ways. For example, paint a huge cardboard Christmas tree together. Write the children's names at the section they painted and add decorations they made.
There are printable decorations on my Christmas colouring page: http://www.hometrain.ie/christmas/
3) Make a card or gift for children to give to each other. We are making cards with our group's photo on the front, and each child makes and decorates one. During our Christmas show, they will give their card to a friend.
4) For children who are non-verbal, make decorated cut-outs of the following shapes. Try the song below.
Get a copy of the instrumental version of 'Partridge in a Pear Tree'. Give each child a shape to hold (attaching the cut-outs to sticks helps) and get them to stand or hold up their shape at the right time.
If this is tricky, be clever with your seating arrangements!
Another bit of advice is to decorate your shapes both sides - this will save you having to remind children to turn them around!!
A STAR FOR THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Tune: “A Partridge in a Pear Tree”
Tune: “A Partridge in a Pear Tree”
One the first day of Christmas,
My teacher gave to me –
A star for the Christmas tree.
My teacher gave to me –
A star for the Christmas tree.
On the second day of Christmas,
My teacher gave to me –
Two strings of lights,
And a star for the Christmas tree.
My teacher gave to me –
Two strings of lights,
And a star for the Christmas tree.
On the third day of Christmas
My teacher gave to me –
Three silver bells,
Two strings of lights,
And a star for the Christmas tree.
My teacher gave to me –
Three silver bells,
Two strings of lights,
And a star for the Christmas tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas
My teacher gave to me –
Four candy canes.
Three silver bells,
Two strings of lights
And a star for the Christmas tree.
My teacher gave to me –
Four candy canes.
Three silver bells,
Two strings of lights
And a star for the Christmas tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas
My teacher gave to me –
Five Christmas bulbs.
Four candy canes,
Three silver bells,
Two strings of lights,
And a star for the Christmas tree.
My teacher gave to me –
Five Christmas bulbs.
Four candy canes,
Three silver bells,
Two strings of lights,
And a star for the Christmas tree.
4) Make a programme for parents. Write a short description of the show and the different songs. Add a note about each child and how they participated. Add a photograph of their child helping with preparations - i.e. painting the tree or making decorations.
5) Make mince pies or biscuits for the families, display the children's work. Decorate the room.
6) Don't stress if the children do not participate. If your group all have special needs, you will not be expecting them all to sit perfectly and not want to go to their parents. Arranging the group in a circle can help with this, with parents in a greater circle around them (so they can see their child).
And that's it - I'm looking forward to our show on 17th - Hope yours goes well, and any more ideas are greatly appreciated!
Our Christmas Ideas page has lots of festive printables: http://www.hometrain.ie/christmas/
Merry Christmas!
Claire x
