Learning through Play
All children develop at different rates. At times, some children need extra help. Our specialized pediatric staff is available to assess and meet the needs of children from birth to adolescence who have medical conditions or syndromes that may interfere with normal development. Our programs use therapeutic activities to enhance skills for children.
Classes are carefully planned for each child to learn to take direction and to interact with peers in a group setting. Below are the classess offered through Kenny Kids.
Download the Summer 2008 class schedule (PDF).
Let’s Get Writing
Age level: 6-12
For a current class schedule, call the Kenny Kids office at 763-236-7337.
This class is for children experiencing handwriting difficulties. It emphasizes sensorimotor activities to prepare children for writing and builds self-esteem while improving interest and the skills needed for handwriting. The program includes letter formation, pencil grasp techniques, use of variety of adaptive writing utensils and seating devices, sensorimotor activities, pre and post-handwriting samples, oral motor activities and peer interaction. Cursive worksheets and homework can be provided upon request.
Cruising Write Along
Age Level: 10-15
For a current class schedule, call the Kenny Kids office at 763-236-7337.
This class is for children experiencing difficulties with cursive writing. The child should have a good understanding of letter formation and be utilizing cursive writing in school setting. By utilizing child friendly directions, children learn to become efficient cursive writers and increase their legibility and speed. This program includes learning letters according to movement patterns, pre and post-handwriting samples, discussions and demonstrations on good posture, paper placement, and pencil grip, use of variety of adaptive writing utensils and seating devices, games, and peer interactions.
Friendship Club 1
Age Level: 5-9
For a current class schedule, call the Kenny Kids office at 763-236-7337.
This social skills group is for children who can follow simple directions, participate in a medium-sized group without 1:1 assistance, use a functional communication system and desire interaction with a peer group. Classes will emphasize friendship building, turntaking, cooperative play, manners, following rules, safety awareness, grooming/hygiene and recognizing emotions.
Fine Motor Crafty Caterpillars
Age Level: 4-7
For a current class schedule, call the Kenny Kids office at 763-236-7337.
This group focuses on the development of fine motor skills necessary for school. Children should be able to follow simple directions, attend a small group setting without 1:1 assistance, and have had exposure to fine motor manipulative items. Classes will emphasize the following social skills: meeting and greeting friends, sharing, taking turns, participating in group activities and circle time. Classes will emphasize the following fine motor skills: strength, bilateral coordination, body awareness, visual motor skills, perceptual skills and coordination. This class uniquely addresses both social and fine motor skills first with circle time and then through gross motor activities, preparing our bodies to get ready for sharing, taking turns and fine motor activities such as precutting and prewriting activities.
Exploring Movement
Age Level: 2-4 or 5
This upcoming class is planned for Fall 2008 and is designed for toddlers who could benefit from peer interaction to progress their gross motor skills. Classes will be a small group format led by a physical therapist using movement-oriented music, songs, obstacle courses and games to get kids moving. Focus will be on exploring movement with our bodies using balls, wheels, tunnels and toys.
Talking Tykes
Age Level: 3-5
$120
For a current class schedule, call the Kenny Kids office at 763-236-7337.
This group will focus on language skill development. Children participating in this group should communicate verbally using a minimum of 2-3-word phrases, follow simple directions, and attend in small group settings without 1:1 assistance. Sessions will include:
- Answering questions that start with “what” or “where”, or where the answer is “yes” or “no”
- Understanding and using descriptive words, such as “long” and “short” or spatial concepts, such as “behind” and “next to”
- Understanding and describing object uses
- Understanding and using pronouns, such as “I”, “me”, “he”, and “she”
- Using verb endings, such as “ing” and “ed”
- Identifying colors
Language Builders
Age Level: 5-7
For a current class schedule, call the Kenny Kids office at 763-236-7337.
This group will focus on language skill development and early social skills. Children participating in this group should be able to follow simple directions, participate in a medium sized group without 1:1 assistance and use a minimum of simple 4-5 word sentences. Sessions will include:
- Answering “why” questions
- Use of adjectives to describe pictures and objects
- Story sequencing
- Turn taking
- Greetings
- Cooperative Play
Location
All classes are located at the Kenny Kids clinic in Coon Rapids (see map)
Registration
Download the registration form (PDF).
Attendance
- A parent or guardian must be present the first day of each class for orientation.
- Only the enrolled child is allowed in the classroom. Each class will have a time designated for parent observation and/or instruction in home program activities.
- To receive the most benefit children should attend each class. Each class builds on skills learned in previous classes.
- There are no make-up classes. However, any missed class information or materials will be provided.
Instructors
Classes are taught by Mercy Hospital staff. They are licensed occupational, physical and speech/language therapists experienced in pediatric rehabilitation. Most classes have two therapists.
Occupational Therapy
Our occupational therapists assist children in the development of fine motor, cognitive and social skills through activities of daily living, including:
- fine motor strengthening and coordination skills
- use of sensory strategies, including touch, movement, auditory, visual, tastes, proprioception and smell
- skill attainment or compensatory strategies for daily living skills, including feeding, dressing and hygiene
- positioning and equipment needs
- visual motor skills, such as coordinated eye movements and eye-hand coordination
Physical Therapy
Our physical therapists assist children in their gross motor development through:
- muscle strengthening and re-education
- fitness
- wellness
- endurance training
- general conditioning and in their skill development through age-appropriate activities including scooters, pre-bike riding, obstacle courses, ball play, balance and bilateral coordination.
Speech/Language Pathologists
Our therapists assist children with articulation, speech/language delays, auditory processing disorders and fluency.
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