Reviews
Exceptional Parent Magazine
LEISURE AND RECREATION - JUNE 2007
Reviewed by Calvin and Tricia Luker
Parents everywhere know the value of play and recreation in family life. We all try to create opportunities for our kids to have fun. In fact, we all now recognize that play is the primary learning device for infants and toddlers. Play is the primary way that kids build friendships and relationships with each other and learn how to interact with their peers and their environment. For this month, we have selected several DVDs and books that focus on play, leisure and recreation for kids with disabilities.
A word on leisure and recreation books and DVDs in general . . . we are impressed with the number of products in the EP Bookstore that address children and play activities. We all remember playing as kids. Who needs a book/DVD to tell us how to play with our kids?
Actually, the area of play, leisure and recreation has become quite sophisticated. Special education laws require schools to consider a child's recreational needs as part of educational and transitional planning. Play affords significant opportunities for inclusive and instructional activities for kids with and without disabilities. There also is the need to be able to adjust or restructure play activities to meet the needs of children who have specific physical or cognitive impairments. Fortunately, parents and others seeking materials on leisure and recreation have a wealth of resources from which to choose. Here are a few of our favorites.
"Leisure Works! Expanding Options for People with Developmental Disabilities" by Martin Sheehan, Elizabeth Thorin and
Library Journal, May 15, 2004
Created for people with developmental disabilities, the Leisure Works! DVD is designed to be used in conjunction with the accompanying workbook. Each of the 12 short sections focuses on different aspects of leisure, including what leisure is; the benefits of leisure activity; the physical, mental, emotional, and social rewards; and various kinds of leisure activities. Step-by-step instructions in the workbook provide a guide to brainstorming and creating an individualized plan for balanced leisure activities. These two programs [Ease Into Fitness and Leisure Works!] are recommended primarily for public libraries, although academic libraries will find them useful for sports or human kinetics studies.
Video Librarian, May-June 2004
Many of us take leisure time for granted and have a wide selection of after-work or after-school activities to choose from. Many of the nearly eight million developmentally disabled people in this country, on the other hand, oftentimes are unaware of leisure time options or have difficulty finding acceptable activities, supportive facilities, or likeminded recreational friends outside their own families. Leisure Works! is a video and workbook program that provides caregivers with the tools to help students and charges explore leisure options. Divided into 12 lessons, the topics covered here include a definition of leisure, discussion of the benefits, suggestions on where to find resources for leisure, and techniques for overcoming obstacles to participating in leisure activities. Field-tested on adults living in group home situations, where many of the participants increased their leisure time activities significantly when compared to a control group, this solid guide is recommended for educators and caregivers (with the caveat that public libraries should be aware of the accompanying workbook).
