first day of school

9am-Jack's first day of school at the STEPS program. I take him in and we meet one of the Developmental Therapists. A mat is placed on the floor and Jack is sat down. He's given a toy. The DT plays with Jack. He's already having fun. From 9am-almost 10:30am Jack plays with two different DTs, a Millikin student, and other kids. This is the time when the kids receive Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech Therapy. At one point he gets angry because he's been sitting up for more than an hour and just wants to 'lay and play'. Nope. not here. He's there to work! Circle time begins. Jack is sat in a Tumble Form chair.

He gets very mad. The other 4 kids are sitting in Rifton chairs.
The class went around, finding their picture and putting it on a wall.
Each child was given a drum and mallet and the class sang a song about the child and then about the drum. Jack didn't have a picture yet but the song was still sung and he was given the drum. Boy oh boy did Jack like the drum. He tapped it during the song and I got all teary eyed. He got to play with the drum the rest of circle time because it kept him from fussing! That's our little musician!

Snack time came next. Snack time is meant for therapy purposes as well. Each child got a white T-shirt to keep his/her clothes clean. Jack too! This time Jack sat in the Rifton chair at a table with the other kids. The kids ate a bowl of banana pudding with chopped banana and had a sippy with chocolate milk. Jack was given some pudding on the table and his hands were smushed all around in it. He didn't like that. He did, however, put his fingers in his mouth (probably because he's teething) and quickly discovered that the pudding had a taste. He did it again. The DT also placed some pudding on Jack's lips. Jack even asked for 'more' by signing. The kids were also given some cheese puffs. Jack too! He didn't touch them. He did try to throw them on the floor.

I had to leave to pick Evelyn up from school, but when I returned, Jack was still at the table, this time with his hands in a mix of shaving cream and paint. He didn't like this either, but hey!, it's a sensory experience! Mr. hypersensitive wasn't given a choice!

Once the kids were cleaned up they went to the gross motor room. Jack was so tuckered out by then. Evelyn played around in the room and Jack sat on the floor fussing. He was tired!

Jack's first day went very well. He passed out when we got home and took a 2 hour nap. And, he slept through the night! Can't wait until Thursday!