Teaching adults with developmental disabilities

Jean Edwards of Edwards Center, Inc. asked me if I would be interested in teaching crafting classes to some of their residents.  I was thrilled to be asked and decided on a paper bead earring project for Mother’s Day.  I was given two afternoons, Saturday and Sunday, at the community center with different students on each day. 

Not knowing the skill level of my students, I engaged the help of my sister, Deborah.  She helped set up the class, and helped the students with their projects.  If you don’t know my sister, she is a bit of a character.  When we are together, we seem to be the Abbott & Costello of crafting.  I am Abbott and she is Costello.

There was a group of senior citizens I once taught to make notebooks.  I use a lot of double-side tape.  Not one of my seniors had trouble with the tape.  It is easy, you pull off the backing and add your top sheet of designer paper.  Somehow, my sister lifted her arm to display a notebook hanging from her sleeve!  Her crafting ability leaves nothing to the imagination.  She is a mess at crafting…and she will tell you so.  Stick to writing, Deborah, but I still need you to “help” with the classes.

Back to our class, our finished project was a pair of paper bead earrings.  As you can see in the photos, they turned out just great.  We added beads and I put the earrings together.  A wooden heart covered in a paper napkin was also added to the crafting lesson.  We placed the earrings on an earring display card, added the decorated wooden heart, a candy treat to floral paper cups and saucer.  The paper cup and items were placed into a clear plastic bag and tied with a bow.  The students were thrilled with their finished projects.