| Dear Readers: 
The holiday season is upon us. In keeping with the theme this month
on “Holiday Celebrations and Staying Healthy,” three
mini-articles are being presented.
The first, "Adapted Holiday Games, Sports, Arts n’
Crafts, and Events," presents a list of commonly known
activities that can be adapted for holiday celebrations, and can
be easily adapted for working with students of varying ages and
abilities.
The second mini-article, Adapted Physical Education National
Standards (APENS), provides readers with the most current
information about APENS and about how our readers can become certified
adapted physical educators (CAPEs). All adapted physical educators
are welcomed and encouraged to become CAPEs. The confidence gained
from knowing your teaching is competent, current, and appropriate
helps you provide the best teaching possible for our students, while
helping to professionally advance our field.
And finally - with the allergy, cold, and flu season now upon us
- included is an overview on "Exercise Induced Asthma."
Of course, a critical treatment component for maximum health with
this condition is to become as physically fit as possible. Certainly
any CAPEs in your area can provide further assistance with these
topics, as well as many others.
So, we hope you enjoy our “Holiday Celebrations and Staying
Healthy” issue for this month!
Happy Holidays to ALL!
Chris Stopka
Adapted Section Editor
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Adapted
Holiday Games, Sports,
Arts n' Crafts, and Events
By: Kellie Rosslow, Margaux Hemstreet, Christine
Stopka, Charis Brown, Jennifer Blay, Travis Broome, Lilly Chang,
Amber Keumurian, Christine Minnix, Abbi Lane, Ian Dyar
Common, everyday games or events can be fit to any season or
holiday, as well as be adapted to include everyone. Most of these
suggestions require little or no further modifications for children
with disabilities. The items used are generally light-weight,
relatively easy to handle, colorful, and motivating.
The following is a list of adapted, seasonal games, sports, arts
and crafts, and events:
| GAMES |
| Bean Bag Toss |
 |
Bean bags tossed
through holes in cutouts of trees, snowflakes, turkey, etc.
|
|
Wreath used as target to throw
“snow balls” (Styrofoam balls) through |
|
Cornucopia used as target in
which to throw little pumpkins, plastic vegetables, etc. |
| Egg toss |
|
Miniature pumpkin
toss |
|
Wreath (eg., tissue paper wreaths)
toss |
|
Toss other items such as rolled
up socks colored for the season |
|
Snowball toss (Styrofoam ball
or shaved ice) |
| Bobbing for apples |
|
Bobbing for candy
buried in whipped cream |
|
Bobbing for marshmallows or doughnuts
suspended in the air from string or candy rope (for those
unable or uncomfortable using their mouth, they can use their
hands for the following:) |
|
Hiding pine cones, snowballs (styrofoam
balls) or marshmallows in a bucket filled with fake snow |
|
Little pumpkins hidden in a bucket
filled with Easter grass |
| Volleyball |
|
Balloon volleyball
(fall/winter colored balloons); lighter weight, slower moving,
highly motivating for everyone. Beach balls work. Also try
the lightweight grocery store ball which follow a more predictable
path |
| Scavenger hunt |
|
Winter wonderland-tree,
snowman, snowflake cut-outs, etc. with clues written on them
to find a large hidden item |
|
Harvest festival-pumpkin,
cornucopia, turkeys cut-outs, etc. with clues written on them
to find a large hidden item |
|
Treasure Hunt: hide
treats in a treasure chest and let kids dig through it |
|
Scavenger hunt for
multiple hidden “winter or fall” items. |
| |
* |
Items to find: Candy
corn, pumpkin candies, peppermints, candy canes, “holiday
colored” M&Ms |
| Board games |
|
Make them LIFE SIZE |
| |
* |
Example games: chess,
dominoes, Candyland (with food), Chutes and Ladders, etc |
| Musical chairs |
|
Add holiday music
for festive touch… |
| |
* |
But do not use the
“elimination” rule; just play the music and stop
it to give the opportunity for the children to end up on different
chairs/stations… |
|
Have designs on the
chairs, such as animals, or seasonal objects (like stars,
candy canes, etc.,) so the children will end up sitting on
different chairs (or stations if they are in wheelchairs)
at the end of each musical section. |
| Bingo |
|
Fruit loop bingo:
fruit loops used as bingo chips or any other treat that helps
to represent the season |
| |
* |
Example treats: candy
corn, pumpkin candy, peppermints, “holiday colored”
M&Ms |
| Contests |
|
Pumpkin seed shooting
contest |
|
Gift wrapping contest |
|
Pie eating contest |
| SPORTS |
| Horse (basketball) |
|
Change 'horse' to
holiday appropriate words (star, snow, flake, etc.) |
|
Lower baskets, use light weight
balls, or beeping balls and buzzing targets, if needed, based
on the needs of various disabilities. |
| Tee ball |
|
Fall-pumpkin colored
ball, with cluster of leaves as bases |
|
Winter-white colored ball, with
wrapped gifts as bases |
| Hockey |
|
Instead of using hockey
puck use pumpkins or Styrofoam “snow balls” |
| Relay races |
|
Baton relay with holiday
related items (candy canes) or clothing (mittens, caps, scarves,
jackets, etc.) |
|
Turkey/Snowman Stuff-stuff shirt/coat
with as many balls as possible, tag partner or team member
and repeat |
|
Hurry for Harvest: cornucopia
at end of relay. Use vegetables as relay items to fill cornucopia |
|
Dressing Frosty: snowman cutout;
body parts of snowman are relay items; race to end to dress
Frosty |
|
Stress the joy of participating,
rather than the competitive aspects, as needed, depending
upon the children participating |
| Bowling |
|
Instead of “normal”
bowling pins use wrapped gifts, pine cones, little holiday
trees, paint “normal” bowling pins with red stripes
to look like candy canes, etc. |
| Soccer |
|
North Pole Soccer:
spray paint a small area of grass white and set up a goal
in the shape of an igloo, then have the child kick a ball
through the igloos for a prize |
| Fishing |
|
Ice fishin’:
get a plastic fishin’ pole and let the child cast over
a barrier. On the other side of the barrier have a person
put a prize on the end of the line, then let the child reel
it in and find prize attached |
| ARTS
& CRAFTS |
| With food |
|
Mashed potato or marshmallow
snowmen |
|
Holiday cookie decorating (giant
class cookie or large individual cookies) |
|
Make pictures with food items
(gumdrops, marshmallows, pretzel sticks, sugar cubes, etc.) |
|
Whipped cream for finger painting
on desks |
|
Threading popcorn or cranberries
for decoration |
| Without food |
|
Paper chains (competition
for longest) |
|
Paint/Draw huge banner (chalk
can go on bottom of chairs) with Fall/Winter theme |
|
Potato or sponge stamping (can
attach cutout potato slices or sponges to mittens or socks
to go over hands) |
|
Giant leaf or gift wrap collage |
|
Puzzle piece decorating (when
put together can be a “Winter,” “Holiday,”
or “Harvest” themed item or scene) |
|
Pumpkin carving |
| EVENTS |
|
Fall Harvest
or Winter Wonderland dance |
|
Fall/Winter Festival |
| |
* |
These events can include
any or all of the above activity suggestions |
NOW EVERYONE CAN HAVE HOLIDAY FUN!
|
|
 |
Adapted Physical Education National Standards: an Important Update
for Everyone in the Adapted Physical Education Field
By: Tim Davis and Christine Stopka
APENS Exam UPDATE!
APENS is now housed at the State University of New York, Cortland,
under the leadership of Dr. Tim Davis. If you are a current CAPE
(Certified Adapted Physical Educator) and in need of re-certification
materials, or would like to become a CAPE and are interested in
taking the APENS National Exam, please contact Tim Davis, or the
APENS office at 1-(888) APENS-EXAM or (607) 753-4969.
Updated Web Site!
Announcing our new web site: http://www.cortland.edu/APENS/
- please visit our new site for the latest information and applications.
The new site has a complete listing of the APENS standards with
a brief description of each, along with information on how to secure
a study guide and manuscript on “How to make CAPE work for
you!” We love feedback! So please feel free
to email the APENS staff at APENS@cortland.edu.
Let us know your Adapted Physical Education concerns, needs, interests,
questions, etc! We’re here for you!
State Coordinators Needed!
If you are a current CAPE and a member of the NCPERID….APENS
is looking for STATE COORDINATORS! If you are interested,
your role will be to share our vision by helping to put “a
CAPE in every district in the country”!
Over 14,000 public school districts serve the approximate 5.2 million
children with disabilities in the United States. APENS is concerned
that for so many of those children, qualified Adapted Physical Educators
are not available, or possible for the district to hire. Therefore,
general Physical Educators are often left to manage with little
or no experience, or training. In addition, the majority of states
do not offer a certification in Adapted Physical Education, or require
certification to teach Adapted Physical Education.
CAPE Update!
The 15
Adapted PE National Standards (APENS), detailing the comprehensive
knowledge Adapted Physical Educators need to know, is available
for Adapted Physical Education and general Physical Education teachers
to review, study, and demonstrate by sitting for the APENS exam,
and thus earn their CAPE (Certified Adapted Physical Educator) certification.
If a district is unable to hire or find a qualified Adapted Physical
Educator, they should at least provide the opportunity for an existing
general Physical Educator to learn the 15 Standards and demonstrate
that knowledge by taking the APENS exam, and thus become CAPEs.
In addition we are developing Adapted Physical Education “STATE
MAPS.” These are one page comprehensive “fact sheets”
about Adapted Physical Education that we can share at local and
state conferences, with parents, advocates, and administrators.
The links are listed on the APENS web
site!
Join the National Movement!
Join the movement be a part of a national unified voice for all
Adapted Physical Educators by taking the APENS National Certification
Exam. The APENS are the conceptual framework (comprised of 15 standards)
used to define the professional knowledge content and skills for
Adapted Physical Educators.
The national certification exam, sanctioned by the National Consortium
for Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities
(NCPERID), is composed of 100 multiple choice items designed to
measure a teacher’s knowledge base according to the APENS.
A comprehensive website exists for the APENS Project (http://www.cortland.edu/APENS).
Applications for the exam can be downloaded from the website, or
can be obtained by contacting:
Dr. Timothy D. Davis,
E253 Park Center, SUNY Cortland,
Cortland, NY 13077.
Phone: (607) 753-4969.
Email: APENS@cortland.edu
or Davist@cortland.edu.
National Exam Dates:
Current Exam Schedule for 2004-05:
AAHPERD – Chicago, IL – Tentative: Saturday, April 16,
2005, 9am - 12 noon. Walk-ins Welcome!
Nation-wide, at a site near you: June 4, 2005, Saturday 9:00 AM.
Application Deadline April 30th.
Please contact us for more information regarding national test
dates.
GO APENS!
|
Exercise Induced Asthma
in Children
By: Heather Hamlin and Christine Stopka Introduction
What is exercise induced asthma? It’s an asthma attack that
occurs at the start of exercising, and is a condition that is
prevalent for many children.
“Exercise induced asthma (EIA) affects about 40-90% of children
with asthma, and occurs when a child’s asthma is triggered
by exercise or physical activities” (1). However, this doesn’t
mean that children with this condition are not capable of exercise.
To take away exercise, or play from a child, would severely limit
their development and hinder their growth both mentally and physically.
Children with asthma have to be more cautious than others when it
comes to physical activity and exercise, but in no way do they have
to put a stop to it. It may seem contradictory, but the best thing
for a child to do who has exercise induced asthma…is to be
active!
The principal message
In a nutshell…this is how it works… Exercise induced
asthma occurs when a person exercises at about 80% of their physiological
capacity for at least 5-7 minutes. So, if the child is un-trained,
most any physical activity, even for a brief amount of time, can
cause an attack. However, if the child is physically fit…the
child has a far greater work capacity. The greater their work
capacity…the less chance they have of having an attack due
to an exercise activity, as most exercise activities will be well
under the physiological limits that cause an attack! So, the best
way to prevent an attack is to be in the best physical shape possible.
To get in shape, the training program should be gradual. Some
children even have to start with intermittent (start/stop) activities,
to ensure enough rest between the movements; but as the child
improves in training, continuous, endurance activities are indicated.
Warm, humid air, is better than cold, dry air; thus swimming
is a sport of choice for children with asthma. Indeed, in the
1996 Olympics, as many U.S. athletes with asthma won as many medals
as their asthma-free counterparts! They got into swimming as children
due to their physicians’ recommendations to participate
in this activity to treat (minimize the effects of) their asthma.
Background
Asthma is a disorder of the respiratory system, and can cause severely
troubled breathing, or “dyspnea.” “Asthma is a
disease. More specifically, it is an inflammatory disorder of the
lungs that causes obstruction due to narrowing of the bronchial
tubes in the lung, and because that is not enough, there is an added
bonus of mucus and fluid production. Wheezing, coughing, chest tightness,
and sputum production are the classical symptoms of asthma”
(5).
Asthma attacks can be fatal, and there is always a constant possibility
of having an attack for those who do have it, especially for children
who like to be active outside where there is pollen and dirt. Allergens,
chemical irritants, and dust particles in the air, all which can
get trapped in the lungs, can set the stage for an attack to occur.
Asthma may be a limiting disorder, but in no way is it an excuse
for a child to be excluded from activities and exercise. All that's
needed is a slight modification.
Treatments
Treatments for exercise induced asthma in children consists of
several different options. Most children can be treated with a
short acting inhaler prior to physical activities, which can help
prevent asthma for several hours. There are also anti-inflammatory
medications that can be taken prior to activity, as well, that
can help prevent an attack. Other inhaled medications may be needed
to treat/minimize the effects of an attack if one does occur.
continued top
of column three...
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| If you have ideas, comments,
letters to share, or questions about particular topics, please email
one of the following Adapted PE Section Editors: |
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continued from previous
column...
However, the most optimal treatment for children with exercise
induced asthma is simply physical activity. Treatments should be
individualized for each child, with physician recommendations, including
which types of physical activities are best. Some activities can
cause an asthma attack easier than others (such as running in cold,
dry air, without proper training), but if properly assessed, well
controlled, and prevention is used consistently, the child should
have fewer problems engaging in the activity of his or her choice.
Children with asthma don’t have to be limited to activities
that may not interest them. “Asthma doesn’t have to
keep your child out of the game. The right treatments can usually
prevent asthma attacks in any sport” (4). Encouraging physical
activity and exercise can greatly help a child cope with their asthma.
Getting Active
There are numerous physical activities in which children with exercise
induced asthma can participate, but it does require a huge responsibility
on their part to be in control of their disorder. It is very important
for children with asthma to continue to stay active and be healthy,
along with taking the appropriate steps in protecting themselves.
Exercise and physical activity cannot be stressed enough in the
prevention of asthma in children. Exercise doesn’t have to
be boring or routine, just running around outside in the yard with
a ball, riding a bike or taking a hike on a dirt trail can prove
to have huge rewards. “A few simple changes in your child’s
exercise routine can also help prevent attacks. Encourage them to
warm up by walking, stretching and briefly running in place before
exercising” (4).
Making exercise and physical activity fun for children with asthma
will make it easier for them to want to stay active and take the
necessary precautions to keep their asthma under control. Not only
that, but it can help show children that they can participate in
what they want to do, and not feel as though they are limited by
their disorder.
Swimming
Swimming is an activity that can be extremely beneficial to a person
with asthma. It doesn’t require much effort, but is an active
and fun way to work out. Swimming can be for competition, or for
just recreational fun.
There are many different setting for swimming, whether it is the
beach, a pool, or a lake in the backyard. It is a wonderful form
of exercise and a great way to also enjoy the outdoors. It is one
of the best exercises that children with asthma can participate
in because “Swimming works more muscle groups at once than
any other sport. An aerobic exercise, swimming is great for cardiovascular
and pulmonary systems” (3).
Swimming is a wonderful exercise for anyone, not just for children
with asthma, and if done on a consistent basis it can improve one’s
health greatly. Swimming is the optimal exercise for children with
asthma because it is an environment least likely to bring on an
attack. “Swimming…which is done in a humid environment,
rarely bring on attacks” (4).
Its non-weight bearing characteristic reduces the stress to heart
and lungs. The water is a great place to play because it offers
so much variety of fun. Snorkeling, scuba diving, and even surfing,
are great activities that can be done in the water, and offer a
change of pace from the normal laps or recreational splashing around.
Swimming can help improve self-esteem in children with asthma because
it’s an activity that a child of any age, or size, can participate
in and enjoy.
Biking
Another great outdoor activity for children who have asthma is bike
riding. Bicycling, a non-weight bearing activity is also less likely
to stir up an attack.
Today there are so many different type of bikes that almost anyone
of any age, size, shape and handicap can find one to fit their needs.
Bicycling is great exercise, and can be a lot of fun for children
of any age because there isn’t anywhere you can’t go
on a bike.
“Many cities have bike paths that pass through their most
scenic areas. A day trip of site-seeing is easier on a bike since
more distance can be covered with less energy expenditure than walking,
and a bike can be equipped to carry almost anything you need from
medications to cell phone, to a picnic lunch” (2).
Riding a bike can turn into a great family even, where the child
is not only getting exercise, but also having one-on-one time with
his/ her parents, helping to form a stronger bond.
Bicycling doesn’t have to be a strenuous activity either.
Even just a ride around the neighborhood after dinner with parents
each night can have an enormous impact on children's health, both
physically and mentally. You can take them through dirt - go slow,
go fast - the possibilities are limitless, which can help keep a
child interested in staying active. There is a variety of places
and things you can do on a bike, which can lead to a new adventure
each day for a child, and at the same time keep him or her healthy.
Other activities of choice
The key to helping children stay active, especially children with
exercise induced asthma, is to have the exercise be FUN! Children
want to have fun and do activities they enjoy. That’s their
main concern. Swimming and bicycling may be fun and provide health
benefits, but not all children may find those activities enjoyable.
Some children love to play sports, even watch them. However, if
a child has exercise induced asthma isn’t participating in
a sport too dangerous? Of course not. There are sports that children
with asthma play, and might even be better at it then some of their
non-asthmatic teammates.
For example, soccer is a great sport that children with asthma
can play, with just minor restrictions. There are some positions
in soccer that require less continuous running, giving the child
a break for their breathing to become normal again. Goalie is a
great position for a child with asthma because there isn’t
much running; it requires more thinking and reflexes then anything
else.
Another, “asthma friendly” position is that of defense
because it doesn’t require the child to run up and down the
field in comparison to the position of a forward.
Participating in a sport can have an enormous affect on a child
because it enables him/her to be an important asset to the team,
gives him/her the opportunity to participate with his/her peers,
and increase his/her strength and endurance. Soccer involves running,
paying attention to the ball and fellow teammates, coordination
for kicking the ball, and an understanding of the sports rules and
strategies - all of which a child with asthma can do. Soccer is
a sport that a child with asthma can easily play, given that the
necessary precautions are taken into account, and at the same time
gives the child a sense of self worth!
Summary
To summarize, exercise induced asthma doesn’t have to be a
limiting disorder if its properly controlled and all the necessary
preventive measures, including physician clearances, are observed.
It’s extremely important for children with asthma to continually
be active. The disorder should not be used as an excuse for a child
to not exercise or take part in physical activities.
With the necessary knowledge, and determination, children with
asthma can live to do anything a child without asthma can do, possibly
even more. There are famous athletes who have asthma, but that didn’t
prevent them from accomplishing their goals and working hard to
achieve their dreams. “Jonna Zeiger is a world class triathlete
and former Olympian who has exercise-induced asthma. She is living
proof that asthma doesn’t have to stop you from achieving
your goals…” (5).
There are scores of people with asthma who have won Olympic medals
competing against others who didn’t have asthma. Jackie Joyner-Kersee,
spokes-person for the Asthma Society of America, has asthma…and,
she has won multiple Olympic track and field gold medals, and holds
a world record in the long jump.
“Above all, encourage your child to stay active. Regular
exercise is good for any child, asthma or no asthma. And, once your
child controls his asthma on the basketball court or the soccer
field, he’ll have the confidence to control it the rest of
his life” (4).
Participating in physical activity and sports not only improves
a child’s physical activities of strength, flexibility, and
coordination skills, but also their social skills which can help
give them a feeling of self worth. It’s vital for children
with exercise induced asthma to learn how to exercise for the main
purpose staying healthy. However, exercise may also increase their
self confidence, and give them an overall balance between mind,
body, and soul, which will help them succeed as they grow!
Works Cited
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