If you’ve been around the TAH world for a while – you know my students are my babies. When you have students for so many years in a row and get such a close bond with them, you can’t help but become just a bit attached! So just like any great family – we have some traditions in my classrooms around the holiday season. Kids with autism love a good tradition. That routine and sameness takes away the anxiety of the unknown. Traditions are predictable. My students literally have a checklist of everything we have to do in December. But don’t worry – I gotta throw some curve balls in there somewhere 🙂 One of our favorite holiday traditions is creating Christmas cards!
In the past we have done a photo cards which I LOVE. Here are few blurred out versions of our cards over the past few years.
Classic Group Shot: Sometimes the classic group shot is the way to go! It can be tricky to try and get even in the same shot -just a warning. The fun backgrounds really spice it up!
Collage Version: If the group shot is just not going to happen and maybe the simple thought of trying to get all of your babies in one photo leaves you in a combination of hysterics and tears – the collage shot is the choice for you. Snag a few individual photos or some small groups and put them in a collage format!
Photo Booth Version: Maybe you are ready to up the ante of cuteness. We did this one two years ago and it was a blast. We made construction paper photo booth props – santa hat, elf top hat, santa’s beard, reindeer antlers, and rudolph’s nose. SO FUN!
Last year, I took the opportunity this year to try something new. I had a student who had been having a rough year. Low self esteem, zero self confidence, and just in general – feeling pretty crappy all the time. My heart breaks for him and I had been thinking of every chance to boost him up. He is a great artist so our class ‘hired’ him to make our Christmas card. He got SO into and LOVED seeing his art work on the computer as we added the text and heading etc. He kept saying, “I can’t stop looking at it!” So sweet!
Every year we all sign it the cards to the best of our abilities! We give them to everyone in the school from the custodians to the office clerks to clinicians etc. Everyone so looks forward to receiving the cards. It’s great life skills practice to deliver them to everyone and great social skills practice to greet everyone around the school and say, “Happy Holidays.”
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6 Responses
I teach students with intellectual disabilities and do the photo cards at Christmas as well. We can never get a group shot with everyone looking and started doing the photo booth a few years ago. My parents and staff loved them ! Thanks for your ideas!
I think this is a wonderful idea!
I love this so much. Seriously, doing this tomorrow. Thanks for the great idea!
You are so welcome! Hope they turn out great!
Love it! The group shot is ambitious so I love the solo shots in a collage option! 🙂
Thanks for reading!