We are looking for volunteers to come and PLAY. How great is that? Leave your worries behind and escape for a couple of hours. George is a very affectionate guy who gives amazing hugs. His hugs are the best medicine for just about anything! Come get yours weekly, monthly, whatever is best for you.
What is so great about Natural Play Therapy is that George gets an opportunity to learn how fun and unique people are and the more variety the more opportunity he will have for learning. Everyone plays differently and has different gifts to offer him! More volunteers means a larger 'Team George' that can brainstorm ideas to best help him. We will learn from each other as we use Natural Play Therapy guidelines. We will learn and practice 5 stages of play in the playroom that correspond to normal human development and they actually continue into adulthood.
Many therapies use rewards for a child to 'get through' the therapy with the therapist. Once the child does the required task then they are rewarded with what motivates them which may be stimming on a toy in their own world or eating some candy etc.... In Natural Play Therapy 'WE' are George's reward. We don't want him to have to 'perform' for us we want him to WANT to interact with us. We reward him daily by giving him respect, building his trust and giving him space. We actually are very careful with making requests of him until he is ready and motivated.
Think about your relationships. Do you like to be manipulated? Can you feel when people are manipulating you and trying to get you to do something you do not want to do? Are you more motivated to do something for others when it is your idea and you really WANT to do it because of the relationship you have with that person? I don't think anyone enjoys being manipulated and even people like George can sense when they are being manipulated. I want George to learn to have real, healthy relationships based on trust and respect.
I often hear people talk about kids with special needs and about their stubbornness in a negative way. I see it more as a positive because it means they want to take some control of their life. In our playroom we can give George control, something that he has so little of in other areas of his life.
Come be a part of Team George and please share with others that you think would benefit from this opportunity.
I would love to write recommendations for students who volunteer who may be able to get some school credit or scholarships for this experience.
Please check out the FAQ's section of my blog for more information about what volunteering may look like. We live about 20 minutes north of Mt. Vernon, Missouri. Please email Yvonne Marshall at love4George2013@gmail.com or call 417-569-2147 if you have an interest in this volunteer opportunity.
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Come watch George climb some more milestones! |
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