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Classes Just for Kids

Marianjoy's Continuing Care Classes offer children with special needs additional instruction as they work toward achieving their functional goals. Classes take place at Marianjoy's main campus in Wheaton. Registration fee is $90 per class unless otherwise noted.

Please read the class descriptions carefully to ensure the class will best suit your child's needs. If you are uncertain whether your child meets the class requirements, you may schedule a screening with a Marianjoy therapist. A physician release form may be required for children with changing medical status or if you intend to submit the class fee to your
insurance for reimbursement. Tuition assistance may also be available.

Please note:
Summer Class Schedule: June 17 - August 12, 2013
All classes have a minimum and maximum enrollment size. Please register in advance to ensure a place in the class.

To register or to learn more about Marianjoy's Continuing Care Classes, please call 630–909–7155.

Therapeutic Golf

Learn more about our Golf for Kids with Disabilities Program.

Shining Star Theatrics Group ─ Curtain Up

This adaptive theater program helps children explore communication and movement through performing. Targeted skills include group communication, slow and clear speech, movement with music, and coordination. This group is led by both a speech-language pathologist and physical therapists. Requirements: Children must either be referred by or screened by a Marianjoy clinician. Children will need help memorizing lines prior to 2nd week of rehearsals, and will need a plan, solid color t-shirt (color will be specified) for costume base. One sibling may participate free of charge as a typically developing peer model, provided group criteria is met. Rehearsal attendance is mandatory.
FEE: $80 per session.

 

Come Play With Me – 1-2 year olds

This is a social interaction and play skills group that facilitates interaction with other children to work on interactive play, age-appropriate play skills, and socialization. Caregivers attend the group to assist with facilitating social interaction, and to gain an understanding of the developmental skills to help the child practice at home.

 

Come Play With Me– 3-5 year olds

This is a “pre” preschool group designed to promote play skills, social interaction, communication and fine motor skills.   This group starts with “circle time” where participants sit for introductions, a brief group discussion, and story time and is followed by interactive play activities, gross motor/coordination activities, and fine motor activities. Participants are expected to follow basic directions, and there is an emphasis on sharing and taking turns.   

 

Fun with Food for Picky Eaters

This group will focus on enjoying food through touch, smell, preparation, play and of course, taste! Clinicians specializing in feeding, swallowing and sensory integration will guide your child through exploration of food shapes and colors, flavors, textures, and temperatures.

 

THAT’S A RAP — FOR KIDS

This social language and pragmatics group addresses five specific areas: 

  • Topicalization: introducing, maintaining and terminating a topic in conversation
  • Conversational Ability: turn-taking, eye contact, topic shifting
  • Use of Register: formal or informal, tone of voice
  • Effective Language: conveying the message that was meant to be communicated
  • Nonverbal Communication: facial expressions, gestures

That’s a Rap I   .... Ages: 5-7 year olds    

That’s a Rap II  .... Ages: 8-11 year olds

 

RAP IT UP – FOR TEENS

A pragmatics and social language group for teens, addressing five specific areas:

  • Topicalization: introducing, maintaining and terminating a topic in conversation
  • Conversational Ability: turn-taking, eye contact, topic shifting
  • Use of Register: formal or informal, tone of voice
  • Effective Language: conveying the message that was meant to be communicated
  • Nonverbal Communication: facial expressions, gestures

We also explore the wonderful world of making new friends, interacting with other teens with self-respect, and other challenges of surviving adolescence.

HOW TO RAP

Basic social language skills are emphasized through concrete instruction. Each session targets a different social skill which is practiced in the context of a structured snack, game or conversation, and a functional interaction outside of the group room. Instruction by a speech-language pathologist and an occupational therapist.

 

SENSATIONAL PLAYMATES – 4-7 year olds  

This is a sensory exploration and social interaction/pragmatics group. In this class, children will use movement and sensory exploration while socializing with other children. Participants will explore and regulate their sensory needs in a way that promotes appropriate social interaction. Participants should already be in a school program and working on sensory regulation. 

 

SENSATIONAL PLAY GROUP – 5-9 year olds

This is a sensory based play group to help your child work on a variety of sensory processing skills utilizing basic concepts of “The Alert and How Does Your Engine Run” programs. We will review self-regulation skills and help your child regulate their sensory needs in a way that promotes growth and development. Children must be able to use language skills to identify needs and follow directions in a group setting to participate in this class. Caregivers will be given a review of lesson activities.  

 

YOUNG ADULT FITNESS GROUP– 8 year olds and up

This is a strength, balance, and flexibility exercise class for pre-teens and young adults. The focus of this class is for children who have had therapy and are learning to be more independent with their exercise routines. Because resistive and balance exercises will be utilized, a medical release is required and needs to be updated annually.

Eye Can Do

Eye Can Do is a group that focuses on vision, coordination, and visual-motor integration and is led by a therapist with training in pediatric visual function and remediation. Using a group format, children will work on basic visual skills, such as tracking, smooth pursuits, and saccades. Games will be used to improve coordination, body awareness, and integration of visual skills with movement. Handwriting and copying from the board tasks will be included as well. Come join us as we LOOK ahead to a clearer, more coordinated future!

 

READY TO WRITE – 3-6 year olds

This is a writing-readiness class that works on the components of handwriting.  Participants in this class will work on activities to improve hand coordination, hand/arm strength, pencil grip and letter/number recognition.  We will also address pre-writing skills such as copying, tracing, and drawing basic shapes and capital letters.  Participants are expected to be able to sit at a table and follow basic directions. 

 

HAND IN HAND GROUP

Does your child have difficulty using both hands together or have limited use of one hand due to hemiparesis or injury? Has your child participated in the constraint induced casting program and needs to improve the use of their weaker arm or hand? This group will help a child use the weaker hand in a variety of tasks and activities with an emphasis on improving strength, movement and the use of the weaker arm. Requirements: Referral from an Occupational Therapist and/or physician required. The child must be able to follow verbal directions for specific tasks and activities and work with others in a group setting.

FEE: $120

 

HANDWRITING HELPERS – 7-11 year olds

This is a group to help elementary school-aged children improve their handwriting.  Participants will work on the components of handwriting, including hand coordination, hand/arm strength, pencil grip and hand-eye coordination. This class will also address techniques to improve handwriting legibility, increase efficiency when copying from the board, and reduce eye and hand strain.

 

POOL CLASSES FOR KIDS

Pool classes are conducted by a Marianjoy physical or occupational therapist and are designed for children who have medical conditions requiring aquatic exercise. Children should have previous aquatic therapy experience and be ready to participate in a group setting. Note that some classes require the assistance of the child’s caregiver while others are designed for children who are able to be independent in the water. For children not currently participating in a Marianjoy therapy program, a physical therapy evaluation is required. For all participants, a physician release form is necessary and must be updated annually in order to continue to participate in aquatic groups.  Call Kasia at 630-909-7150 for more information or to register.

After School in the Pool

Aquatic exercise classes tailored for children ages 8 and up who are independent in the water.    

Parent and Child Swim

Aquatic exercise class for children between ages 5 and 8 years accompanied by a parent or caregiver for assistance.

Sensory Pool Group

This class is for children with identified sensory integration or sensory regulation needs. The focus is on self-regulation strategies, tactile and vestibular stimulation exercises, balance and aerobics for general health and wellness, and cooperative and social interactions with peers. Requirements: Participants must be able to be independent in the pool and follow directions safely in the water.

Mom & Child Swim

For children ages 3 - 5 years with a caregiver or parent.

Young Adult Pool

For teenagers ages 16 and over. Participants must be able to be independent in the pool, either with a float device or on their own. This class focuses on exercise, balance and aerobics for general health and wellness, using the warm water for ease of movement.

 

Schedules & Forms

Summer 2013 Pediatric Classes

Pediatric Classes Waiver

Don't Miss Another Class

If you wish to have your name added to our mailing list for professional or community education, please send your name and address (for copies via US mail) or email address to: marketing@marianjoy.org.

Marianjoy reserves the right to cancel any class if the minimum number of attendees is not met.

The Wheaton Franciscan Sisters also offer classes on spiritual development and the healing arts on the Wheaton, Illinois, campus.