In the Media
Feb 18, 2014: Lloydminster Source: Letting Kids Be Kids Through Sibshops
Letting kids be kids through SibshopsLetting kids be kids through SibshopsPosted in By Mallory
The Snowflake Respite Foundation is now hosting Sibshops, an event where kids with special needs brothers or sisters can do activities, including crafts. Above, kids dressed up for the October edition. Below, there are many games played during the fun event. - Supplied Photo
By Mallory Clarkson/@MalloryClarkson
Children whose brothers or sisters have physical, cognitive or behavioural special needs are now connecting with each other.
It’s kind of like a sibling support program, but participants get to play games, do crafts and just have fun.
The program is offered through the Snowflake Respite Foundation, a not-for-profit that offers respite and support services for families who have special needs kids.
Lily Belland, the foundation’s president, said the latest program — called Sibshops — started in September last year.
With three of the themed workshops now under their belt, Belland said the foundation is currently putting together this months event.
The theme this month is Secret Sibs and the activities will include writing messages in invisible ink and playing games that involve telling secrets or guessing games. Last month, the theme was Super Sibs, where all participants dressed up in super hero costumes, and next month will be Spring tin Sibs.
“It’s so much fun,” Belland said. “They get to play games and they get to have fun.”
The program is geared towards kids aged six to 12, but there’s flexibility there. If parents feel their four- or 14-year-old would benefit from the program, they’re welcome to come.
The workshops aren’t just fun and games, however. They also help show the siblings what their brothers or sisters could be experiencing, as well as allows them to just let their hair down.
“A lot of siblings grow up faster than other kids their age and they end up more mature in a lot of ways that you wouldn’t,” Belland explained. “It’s great, but it’s a little sad at the same time that they’ve grown up so fast, so sometimes other kids just don’t get it.
“So it’s nice for them to be with other siblings who kind of go, ‘Ya, I do this too,’ or, ‘My mom says that about my brother or sister too.’”
And it’s safe, Belland added. The siblings are free to say or not say whatever they want, anything shared will stay at the Sib Shops.
“They get to be honest about it — like, ‘Does this embarrass you if your brother does this or that?’ And they can be honest and say yes or ‘No, that’s just how he is.’”
Belland added the foundation is still accepting registrants to the program, which costs $10 per session. But if parents are in financial need, the fee can be waived through the foundation’s scholarship program.
The workshops take place on the fourth Saturday of the month from 1-3 p.m.
For more information or to register, email Belland at [email protected].
Letting kids be kids through SibshopsLetting kids be kids through SibshopsPosted in By Mallory
The Snowflake Respite Foundation is now hosting Sibshops, an event where kids with special needs brothers or sisters can do activities, including crafts. Above, kids dressed up for the October edition. Below, there are many games played during the fun event. - Supplied Photo
By Mallory Clarkson/@MalloryClarkson
Children whose brothers or sisters have physical, cognitive or behavioural special needs are now connecting with each other.
It’s kind of like a sibling support program, but participants get to play games, do crafts and just have fun.
The program is offered through the Snowflake Respite Foundation, a not-for-profit that offers respite and support services for families who have special needs kids.
Lily Belland, the foundation’s president, said the latest program — called Sibshops — started in September last year.
With three of the themed workshops now under their belt, Belland said the foundation is currently putting together this months event.
The theme this month is Secret Sibs and the activities will include writing messages in invisible ink and playing games that involve telling secrets or guessing games. Last month, the theme was Super Sibs, where all participants dressed up in super hero costumes, and next month will be Spring tin Sibs.
“It’s so much fun,” Belland said. “They get to play games and they get to have fun.”
The program is geared towards kids aged six to 12, but there’s flexibility there. If parents feel their four- or 14-year-old would benefit from the program, they’re welcome to come.
The workshops aren’t just fun and games, however. They also help show the siblings what their brothers or sisters could be experiencing, as well as allows them to just let their hair down.
“A lot of siblings grow up faster than other kids their age and they end up more mature in a lot of ways that you wouldn’t,” Belland explained. “It’s great, but it’s a little sad at the same time that they’ve grown up so fast, so sometimes other kids just don’t get it.
“So it’s nice for them to be with other siblings who kind of go, ‘Ya, I do this too,’ or, ‘My mom says that about my brother or sister too.’”
And it’s safe, Belland added. The siblings are free to say or not say whatever they want, anything shared will stay at the Sib Shops.
“They get to be honest about it — like, ‘Does this embarrass you if your brother does this or that?’ And they can be honest and say yes or ‘No, that’s just how he is.’”
Belland added the foundation is still accepting registrants to the program, which costs $10 per session. But if parents are in financial need, the fee can be waived through the foundation’s scholarship program.
The workshops take place on the fourth Saturday of the month from 1-3 p.m.
For more information or to register, email Belland at [email protected].
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