courtesy of punchbowl.com
JUNK D R AW E R S
A LITTLE LIT OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT GET A LADLE OF THIS PUNCHBOWL!
digital greeting cards that have the look and feel of a traditional paper card, complete with the opening of an envelope. No stamps needed! Plus, there’s lots of party tips for every theme imaginable!
courtesy of indian hill music
MUSIC TO A PARENT’S EARS Every parent wants to see his or her child thrive. No parent knows this better than a father or mother of a child with special needs. Music Therapy at the Indian Hill Music School in Littleton reaches out to children (and adults) with cognitive, physical and developmental impairments. They use instrumental and vocal music strategies to improve functioning or to facilitate changes that contribute to life quality. “Making music helps in focusing, building social skills and encouraging expressive creativity,” says licensed music therapist Romy Ikauniks Wilhelm of Arlington.“I use basic drumming activities to help my students hear and feel musical rhythm.” In addition to drumming, her techniques include hand percussion instruments, movement and singing. “I have seen how music therapy can have a direct impact on a person’s life,” Romy explains. For more information on Indian Hill’s Music Therapy program, contact Romy Wilhelm at 978-486-9524 x108 or romy@indianhillmusic.org. Learn more at indianhillmusic.org.
On Friday, November 18, six courthouses across the Commonwealth will celebrate the adoptions of children and teens who have been in state foster care. Some adopting families were related to the children before adoption. Many others met their new children after they began the state’s training to adopt a child from foster care. Committees of court personnel, Massachusetts Department of Children & Families (DCF) and MARE staff have arranged for every child being adopted to receive a gift bag of toys, games, stuffed animals, gift certificates and more with items donated by local businesses and friends. There will be special ceremonies and entertainment. — Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange
(MARE)/mareinc.org
SPECIAL NEEDS STRETCH
courtesy of cers
“It breaks our hearts when people haven’t heard of us,” says Kate Weldon Leblanc, administrative director of The Center for Early Relationship Support in Waltham. “Parenting is amazing, scary, joyous and challenging, and CERS understands and is here for you!” The Center, which is part of Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JF&CS), is focused on easing the transition into parenthood for mothers and their babies and giving them the tools they need to build their vital relationship. Kate, who is also the mother of a 4-year-old, says the Center is for parents of children under the age 5. They offer free weekly support groups for new parents of all faiths in 14 Massachusetts communities as well as a visiting moms program, where new moms are matched with experienced moms. Details on these and all of their offerings, including a post-partum home program, can be found at: jfcsboston.org/CERS.
How is Massachusetts participating in National Adoption Day this November?
courtesy of stretch what matters
HELP FOR NEW MOMS
Q&A
bsp’s account executive, Staci Bisset, turned us on to punchbowl.com to help us organize our party planning with free digital invites as well as free templates to send cards for all occasions. The Framingham-based company has beautiful
Over the past twelve years, Elizabeth Goranson, M.S. Ed has worked as a special educator in a variety of inclusion settings. Today the Natick mom is the founder and inventor of Stretch What Matters™, enabling children of all abilities to independently identify, manage and prevent stress through yoga by using mats with color-coded pose markings. Her kits come with 50 corresponding pose cards, instructional manuals and a DVD. The warm and talented yoga instructor also holds private and group yoga classes for children ages 6 and older with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and learning disabilities. stretchwhatmatters.com.
Junkdrawers strives to highlight the products, people and places of Massachusetts. Have an idea? Email editor@baystateparent.com. 14 NOVEMBER2011