Core Skills Analysis
Social-Emotional Learning
- Mila practiced adapting to a familiar daily routine when a different person took her to aqua therapy.
- Mila experienced flexibility within a predictable activity, supporting her ability to manage a change in routine.
- Mila took part in aqua therapy as part of the day’s routine, connecting a change in who accompanied her with continuing a familiar activity.
Health and Physical Education
- Mila participated in aqua therapy, an activity that takes place in water.
- Mila incorporated a therapy activity into a daily routine, building familiarity with a regular health-related practice.
Tips
Tips Build on Mila’s experience by making a simple picture schedule that shows the usual routine and where a different companion can fit, then invite Mila to help arrange it. Use a short role-play with toy figures to practice the transition to aqua therapy with different trusted adults. After the activity, encourage Mila to draw or describe one part of the routine that stayed familiar and one part that changed. You could also create a small “flexible routine” story together, celebrating each successful change with a sticker or a note about what helped the day go smoothly.
Book Recommendations
- The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn: A reassuring story about separation and connection that can support conversations about transitions and trusted caregivers.
- The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld: A gentle picture book about responding to feelings and finding support when plans or experiences are difficult.
- Maisy Goes Swimming by Lucy Cousins: A cheerful picture book about a familiar character’s swimming experience, connecting naturally with water-based activities.
Try This Next
- Picture-schedule activity: arrange the steps of the day and add a card showing a different therapy companion.
- Drawing prompt: illustrate the trip to aqua therapy and identify one familiar part of the routine.
- Role-play: use toy figures to practice going to aqua therapy with different trusted adults.