Finding Leisure
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Definition
Awareness
Skills Learning & Rehearsal
Self-Determination
Benefits
Overcoming Barriers
Therapeutic Recreation Services
Settings
Activity
Awareness
The foundational for discovering leisure education is awareness. The goal is for your child is to gain an awareness of leisure, him or her self and resources.
Leisure Awareness
Focuses on assisting the child to understand when and where leisure can happen, as well as the different activity options available to the child, such as active, passive, social, sports, and so forth. The child builds awareness of the many benefits of leisure, particularly as a balance to her other activities and responsibilities (school, family, and work).Self-Awareness
The child learns his preferences in leisure, i.e., knowing what he likes to do for fun, when he can recreate and with whom, etc. If possible, the child explores and expresses his attitudes, values, and motivations about leisure. However, for youth with developmental disabilities, for example, asking these youth to "reflect" and then talk about this information may not be possible! Therefore, this information must be gleaned through observation of the child during play, conversations with parents, other family members and caregivers (i.e., babysitters, personal aides), and teachers, as well as professionally administered leisure interest assessments.Awareness of Resources
Leisure education facilitators with family members can begin to explore what resources the child has available to bring into a particular leisure experience, as well as identify what they might need to obtain. Obstacles or barriers to leisure participation also need to be identified, i.e., what strengths or resources does she lack, what may stand in the way of her involvement. Once identified, solutions may be found that turn "obstacles into opportunities."Resources to understand and consider include:
- Leisure opportunities in home, school and community settings
- Budgeting and financial considerations
- People and relationships
- Communication
- Transportation
- Current leisure skills
- Personal routines
Leisure opportunities in home, school and community settings
Does the child have play opportunities? What are they? With whom do they play? What supports and accommodations are currently provided to help the child to play?Budgeting and financial considerations
Does the family have the financial means to support a variety of leisure experiences, such as purchasing adaptive equipment, enrolling the child in a program, or hiring a caregiver to accompany the child?People and relationships
Is the preferred activity solitary in nature, or does it require participation with others? Does the person have the social skills to interact appropriately with co-participants and staff?Communication
Is the individual able to express their needs, interests, and preferences through their unique form of communication? Are they given the opportunity to do so? Each activity has its own 'language.' Does the child know the specific terms, phrases and expressions unique to these activities?Transportation
How will this individual get to the recreation settings - via family, public transportation, neighbor, caregiver, or other means?Current leisure skills
What skills and abilities does the individual have now that they can bring to the leisure activity and setting? How can these be incorporated into and reinforced in the leisure setting?Personal routines
What are the child's typical routines at home or school? What can be incorporated into their time at the recreation setting? Share these with recreation staff.« Previous | Next »
This online resource has been created through a collaborative project of the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) with content and design development by the National Center on Accessibility (NCA) and the Indiana University School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. This project is funded through a grant from the Division of Human Development and Disability at the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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