Challenges faced by differently abled people

Try this. Clench your hands into fists and pretend you have no hands. Now try doing some everyday tasks without using your fingers at all - put on a shirt, open a jar, write your name, open a wrapped lolly... these are some of the activities the year 2-4 Quest kids tried. We talked about how we felt doing these challenges, and how we could deal with these feelings. We looked at strategies to help with the frustration and we discussed the triumph experienced when we managed to overcome difficulties.
I then showed the kids a video of a truly inspiring young lady - Sara Hinesley - who was born without hands. She has recently won a handwriting award. Her determination and perseverance are inspiring.

You might like to look up Nick Vuicich for another amazing example of persevering against the odds. Nick was born with no arms and no legs - a huge challenge! But he manages to play golf, swim and jump off diving boards, surf, play soccer etc. He is a motivational speaker - powerful!

As it was NZ sign language week close to when we did this topic we also looked at being deaf and what challenges that would have. We learnt a little sign language and tried out lip reading.
Some looked at the challenges of limited or no eyesight. Some looked at learning difficulties such as dyslexia and challenges that come with that.

Hopefully this will develop some empathy, and also some skills for dealing with challenges we face and the associated feelings we have - frustration, anger, defeat, disappointment, determination, etc. We looked at facing these challenges with perseverance, not being afraid to ask for help if needed, using techniques to calm ourselves if feeling frustrated (deep breathing, take a walk, have a break, try something different etc).

CHALLENGE

This term we have the exciting concept of Challenge. We will be challenging ourselves and looking at challenges that others face. Along the way we will be thinking about how we face challenges - how we feel and react - and learning skills to help us face difficulties and challenge.

The year 5&6 groups are taking part in the wonder project rocket challenge, organised by Engineering NZ. We will be looking at rocket design, the engineering process, Newton's Laws, and finishing with a competition to see whose rocket can go the highest. We are very lucky to have an engineer working with each group - generously giving their time to come and inspire our possible future engineers. Thanks to Dr Fei Ying, senior lecturer from AUT, and James Tayler, Helicopter pilot and trainer, for giving up their time.

The year 2-4 students are looking at a  variety of topics to do with challenge - being differently abled, puzzles, living in challenging places, design and creativity, facing fears etc. One group was lucky enough to have a naval design engineer and AUT lecturer come in to work with them as they learnt about boat design and tested buoyancy. Thanks Christian Stimson (Stimson Yacht Design) for a wonderful time learning with you.