Kids’ Activities for International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3rd marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Each year this day focuses on one specific theme. In 2016 the theme is “Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want.” Mark this special day with a few themed activities that will help to teach your children about disabilities and being inclusive.
Goal List
Grab a marker, a crayon or a set of pencils and help the kids to create their own “17 Goals.” Talk about different disabilities and how your children (or their school, their community, society) can be more inclusive. Ask the kids to list out 17 different goals that they have for themselves when it comes to understanding friends or community members with disabilities.
17 Ways to Include
Teaching your child to include friends, classmates and family members is important on this day and every day. On International Day of Persons with Disabilities have your child make a list of 17 (taking the theme into consideration) ways to include people that she knows or might meet with disabilities. This might include adapting a game on the school playground so that a friend in a wheelchair can participate, helping a blind classmate to navigate a new part of the school or anything else that your child can think up.
Draw It Out
Very young children may have trouble writing their goals or ways to be inclusive. But, that doesn’t mean they can’t join in. Instead of using words, have your young child draw pictures of ways to include friends with disabilities in their regular activities, school day or games.
