An introduction!

Jan
19
2011
An introduction!

Hey everyone!  My name is Sophie.  I'm a kid's party planner and it goes without saying that I have possibly one of the best jobs in the world.  Or maybe it does need to be said -- so I'll tell you all about it!

The job fits me perfectly because I'm basically a "jack of all trades, master of none"... which some folks might find depressing, but in my line of work, it makes me a goddess.  (And I don't say that lightly!)

Being a kid's party planner means you have to be able to design and create decor, load a truck, schlep boxes, decorate a space, face paint, sing, entertain, dance, play games, make crafts, clean up, schlep more boxes, reload the truck, and drive off to your next event -- all in about 5 hours.  It's pretty exciting... but did I mention there's a lot of schlepping?  Not one single day is the same as the other, which is what I like.  I admit, I think I'd go crazy if I had to do the same thing day after day -- or even had to do the same party over and over.  (I might have a touch of ADD... just a touch!)

I think if I didn't do this, I'd work for some fun magazine like Family Fun or American Girl -- two of my favorite inspirational guides.  I literally get giddy when they arrive in the mailbox.  Or maybe I'd be a librarian.  I don't think I'd be a very good teacher, because I don't seem to do well with folks forcing their curriculum on me!  I'm fine working within the parameters of what a child and parent wants, but the notion of having to stick to a particular plan day in and day out doesn't thrill me.  I'm a bit more free-form, if you couldn't already tell!

That being said, I have the utmost respect for teachers, and parents too!  Not being a parent myself, I get to have all the fun, without the pitfalls... and I truly appreciate the fact that people let me come into their homes and hang out with their kids.  It's awesome.  I still have to pinch myself after 15 years of doing this.  I mean seriously: I get paid to do this, I have a staff -- a staff who likes their jobs...  Honestly, you have to admit... it's pretty cool!

Comments

Submitted by imfantastic (not verified) on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 2:19pm

Hi Sophie. I work with children that have autism. I do Physical Therapy in a school system. I am always looking to activities to keep them focused. We also work using our own suplies, for the most part. So, I really liked the recycle drum. I used the drum idea with some of the higher level kids and the lower kids played with the drums we made. I realize some of your ideas may not apply but, any little tip that makes my day easier is a help. I love these kids and look forward to using your crafty ideas with them. I also am able to share the idea with our OT department. Thanks for what you do. Peace out, Holly

Submitted by Sophie (not verified) on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 8:00pm

Holly! I love the idea of adding a special needs sections to my arts and crafts. this gets my creative juices bubbling! Give me parameters within which I should work - materials that work best - etc. Should I think tactile? should I think sound? Let me know - I'd love to add more content with things like this in mind.

Submitted by imfantastic (not verified) on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 1:04pm

Hiya, I am happy to share any tips for you to use to make MY job easier. Sensory is a big part of treatment in the autism population. This is why I liked the drum craft. We used felt, stickers and colored tape to decorate. These items have fun textures. I usually buy my own supplies so, I really liked the recycle idea for the can. Touch sensory can include soft, rough, scratchy, sticky, fluffy, fury. Like velcro, tape, felt just as an example. My kids like to put their hands in tubs of rice, sand or beans. I usually have them push their hands in it to find little toys. I am now thinking of having them makeother instruments with these items as we did with the drum. Other sensory include smell, sound and taste. I use empty spice containers to have them sniff. Also bitter and sour taste are interesting for the kids that are under stimulated. The kids that are over stimulated don't like loud sounds. Calming sounds like a heart beat work best. I hope something here was helpful. I appriciate what you do. Any tip that helps me, helps my kids. I love them all so much and I want them to enjoy their physical therapy session. Thier day is hard enough. I want PT to stand for PARTY TIME!! Much success and joy to you, Holly

Submitted by SOPHIESFS@aol.com (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 5:09am

Holly - I&#39;ve got some other fun instruments you may want to try - how about a TP tube maraca? or a plastic salad container (like the ones you get at safeway for macaroni salad and such) domo-drum? tissue box guitar? How about string and glue art? or milk carton funnels as tactile delivery systems...pasta snow flakes come to mind...oh...and there&#39;s this fun thing we do with hair gel, beads and ziplock bags -<br />We will be filming 12 new segments next week...and I&#39;ll make certain to include a few that will work for your students. <br />I will make it a point as we start to deliver content to include things of this nature and maybe you can guide me along and let me know what works and what doesn&#39;t. My goal here is to start delivering content to help folks find fun, easy, cheap ways to connect with children through art. It&#39;s all about the fun! thanks so much for your insite.<br />I love that PT time = party time.

Submitted by imfantastic (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 7:02am

sophie- so many great ideas. I am looking forward to you next segments. I work in several schools and I can&#39;t wait to show off the new crafts the kids make. I am sure this will inspire the teachers I work with too.<br />P.S. I have no spell check. I don&#39;t know what happened to it. So, please don&#39;t judge me on spelling. You seem very forgiving of that kinda thing. Peace out, Holly

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