"Hello" Activities (Beginning Your Virtual Session)

to watch video, https //www youtube com/watch?v=diowprcnst4 intervention themes engagement, social skills estimated time needed for activity depending on the activity you choose, the time needed for the activity may change overall, it is recommended that one activity be selected to support the opening of the session recommended age range 3 8 years old materials needed no additional supplies are needed however you have the option to print out the cards for the greetings to show the child or add them to a slide to show on your screen descriptions, directions and links are included in the handout preparation for “ https //www youtube com/watch?v=hxxhonmyz6c ” you may find the video/song to play during the session https //www youtube com/watch?v=hxxhonmyz6c handouts these are attachments that you can print out for the activities and use as a tangible visual or show in a slide on your screen • simple greeting • additional greetin therapeutic goals note depending on the activity you choose, the goals may change “how do you want to be greeted” therapeutic goals • establish a safe and open therapeutic environment • following routines • increase attunement and co regulation “roll hands” therapeutic goals • behavioral regulation • impulse control • following directions • focusing attention “squeeze oranges” therapeutic goals • behavioral regulation • gross motor control • body awareness • following directions • proprioceptive sensory input “call and response” therapeutic goals • behavioral regulation • impulse control • following directions • focusing attention “grandmas glasses” therapeutic goals • behavioral regulation • gross motor control • body awareness • following directions “open shut them song” therapeutic goals • behavioral regulation • gross motor control • body awareness • following directions description "hello" activities are designed as part of the "bookends" in a virtual therapy session to promote structure, engagement, co regulation and active participation discussion “hello” activities are designed as part of the “bookends” to a session with children to make the virtual therapy space more predictable by providing structure • repetition builds familiarity and mastery • creates a warm, and biting, and predictable start to this session • get everyone in sync, which is part of attunement and self regulation • provides young children with an interactive and playful way to engage while in a virtual space the therapist sets the tone through their level of playfulness with the child therapist can use their voice, facial expressions, and body movements to engage the child in the virtual therapy space and encourage participation for children who are reluctant to engage, therapist may choose to modify the activity by creating a choice board (pdf included), providing the child with more control and autonomy it is recommended that therapist follow the child’s lead and worry less about doing the activity as outlined and staying attuned with the child’s emotional and behavioral state processing questions these questions may help the therapist reflect on the child’s level of engagement during the opening activities over a period of several sessions does the child seem to have a preferred hello activity? what qualities are involved in that activity that seem to be beneficial for the child? how can these qualities be used in other elements of the session to support the child in their treatment goals? how does the child respond when the therapist chooses the activity? does the child require more control to feel safe and engaged? can the child take initiative in choosing the activity? how does this contribute to their overall treatment plan? about the creator, amy nelson, lcsw, lscsw, rpt s amy nelson, lcsw, rpt s, is a licensed clinical social worker, and registered play therapist supervisor she specializes in the support of trauma and attachment, sensory processing differences, and emotional regulation disorders in children 3 to 5 years old amy is the founder of emotional milestones, llc, with a mission to help early childhood professionals prioritize and optimize mental and behavioral supports to young children for more information, visit contact amy\@emotionalmilestones com