Tennessee Infant Parent Services
Parent Advisor E-Newsletter

April, 2004

Volume 1, Number 2

In This Issue:

·        Library News

·        What Do I Do When…

·        Peer Support Meeting Schedule

·        It’s About Time!

A  Reminder!

The TIPS Newsletter for Greater Nashville, Upper Cumberland - plus, and South Central TIPS offices is now virtual. 

Here are the changes:

The P.A newsletter is now published quarterly (January, April, July and September) and is distributed online.

The Family Newsletters will continue to be published monthly.

Both newsletters will be distributed over the Internet.  If you wish to receive a copy through the mail, please contact William at the TIPS office.

We hope you enjoy the changes!

Library News

The Library has been buzzing with activity over the last couple of months and so there is a lot to report on - from the acquisition of new materials to the "weeding" of old and unused toys, to a thorough cleaning of many of the shelves!  The weeding process allowed us to offer over 100 items to our families, which is a wonderful thing.  Plus, it opens up a lot of space so our inventory can be more easily seen and retrieved. You will be receiving an updated Toy Inventory since it has been whittled down a bit.

I'd like to tell you about some upcoming information for you to keep your eyes open for.  I am in the process of creating a listing of the major subject headings used in our library according to the Library of Congress Classification System.  My hope is that having this information posted in the Library and in your hands will help you to understand the way the books are shelved and arranged.  Additionally, I hope it will make it easier for you to locate books about the specific subjects you may be searching for. 

I am also creating a floor plan for you to have with your PA materials so that you know where everything is in the Library.  Again, my hope is that it will make it easier for you to find your way around the Library and to access materials you want to use.

We have received some new materials over the past couple of months that I'd like to highlight. The American Printing House for the Blind sent the following materials, which are available for check-out:

1) Hands On Kit - This kit includes 6 different styles of sorting or working trays and a manual of activities that can be used to encourage blind or visually impaired preschoolers to function independently in a classroom or at home.  The activities are presented sequentially, beginning with jobs such as scooping beans and progressing to more complicated tasks such as preparing a snack or washing dishes.  Each activity is demonstrated to help the child develop a sense of order, concentration, coordination, visual motor coordination, and to help the child learn to complete a cycle of activity.

2) Calendar- Everyday Exposure to Experiences for Enjoyment, by Nancy Smith. This book is for use with young visually impaired children.  It includes a new and fun activity for each day and is suggested for parents and caregivers to help in providing a stimulating learning environment.  The activities make use of low-cost and easily accessible materials and are drawn on everyday occurrences in a child's life.

3) Quick-Draw Paper - This is a drawing tool that creates instant tactile pictures.

4) 2 Pumpkin Puzzles - These are foam puzzles of pumpkins with two different faces.

Finally, I'd like to remind you that we have many great Gross Motor toys which may be fun to use this Spring when the weather turns warm and everybody wants to be outside.  We have several types of balls including large balls, exercise balls and beeper balls.  We also have hula-hoops that can be used in a variety of ways  (not just the old hip swinging way).  We have many riding toys and push toys like a vacuum cleaner and a popcorn popper.  Our collection includes a foot piano and two different versions of ring toss.  Lastly, we have three different styles of bowling sets.

I'd like to remind everybody to 1) call me if I can help you in any way, 2) call me if you want to renew any materials you have checked out, and 3) please remember to sanitize the toys before returning them to the Library.

Tennessee Infant Parent Services School

115 Stewarts Ferry Pike

Nashville, TN 37214

(615) 741-5002

My TIPS child Has Had a Prolonged Hospitalization?

By Sue Brewer

Recently I’ve had the experience of having one of my TIPS children in the hospital for a long stretch of time.  What I found was that family dynamics have a way of changing as stress levels rise.  Being in the hospital has a way of taxing both parents and children in ways we might not have expected.  Parents are not only dealing with the illness of their child, but also trying to keep things as normal as possible for the other parts of their life.  Family support may not be present, or as illnesses extend, support systems may break down.  Here are some suggestions for continuing in our role as parent advisors and family trainers during this difficult time in a family’s life.

1. Be sympathetic of a family’s need for support and understanding during this time.  Practice supportive listening. 
2. Be open to the family’s desires.  Do they wish to continue visits while the child is hospitalized?  Will the visits only add to the stress level they are feeling?
3. Think about ways that you can be supportive of the parents during the visit.  What needs do they have?  Are there resources you can guide them to that might help fill those needs?  Your RLT can steer you toward helpful organizations or resources.
4. Making a phone call or visiting the child at the hospital may make a great impression on the family.  Seeing that you care enough to change your schedule, and knowing that you are thinking about them can go a long way in building rapport with a family.
5. Offer to help research information for the family that will help them deal with what is happening to their child.  Often the family is not able to access computers or the internet while they are in the hospital.  Bringing them information can help them feel empowered as they work with medical professionals.
6. Remember that the child is still growing and developing, even while in the hospital.  Incorporate lessons based on the IFSP and TIPS goals into the hospital visit.  Maybe you can help them find ways to play with their child in a purposeful way while in this unfamiliar setting.  Many hospitals offer playrooms filled with developmentally appropriate toys and videos.  These activities help fill the time and make life more “normal” for the parent and child.
7. Remember that Friends of TIPS has put together hospital visit bags for us to bring to families during a hospital stay.  These are filled with snacks and thoughtful goodies to help the family and child feel more comfortable.  Make sure to check the appropriateness of the contents before taking them to the family.  Also, reading material is often welcome by the parents.

¡         First Monday 12 - 1:30 p.m. call Vicki DeSalvatore / Ingrid Bettis

¡         First Tuesday 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. call Korree Kennington / Caroline Logsdon

¡         First Thursday 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. call Donna Gerstner / Tracy Duncan

¡         Last Friday of the Month 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. call Anita Henderson / Tracy Duncan

by Ernie Simms, parent advisor

"There just isn't enough time!" we often say. The truth is:  we have the same amount of time we have always had: 24 hours/day!  The question is: Are you spending that time to do the most important things in your life?  As parent advisors, we prioritize each day and often pass those same time management skills along to the families we visit.  Spend a few minutes writing a to-do-list each day and ask yourself these questions as you prepare:

·        Does this task ADD to what I want for (or my family wants) this season of my life?  Every season brings new sets of goals and a reshifting of priorities.  Writing down what your focus is to be for the year in each area of your life brings great clarity.  (such as career, family, finances, spiritual, personal, etc.)

·        Is this a task I keep writing on my to-do-list hoping I will finally find the energy to do it?  If so, ask yourself why.  Perhaps it's something you can give to someone else, do it a simpler way, or let go of it.  Ask how much it will impact you or others if it isn't done.  Maybe you need to ask for help from someone else just to get started.

·        Am I being reasonable in what I'm writing down to do each day?

·        Have I built in at least 15 minutes for myself each day?  Research shows that allowing ourselves at least 15 to 30 minutes of private/personal time each day (no interruptions...ok, so you have a 2 month old!) adds a noticeable amount to our focus and productivity.  Even Einstein took a 15 minute nap each day. 

·        Am I allowing some time for interruptions on this list?

As you look over your completed to-do-list, put a #1 or a star beside the biggest/highest pay-off items on the list. Do what you can. Learn to say no when you need to, and remember to make time for the things that matter. And good luck.