THE KEY TO MY CHILDREN: WILHEMINA'S STRONG WILL is about a three year old little girl who was born eleven weeks preterm, a "preemie." She was in the hospital over 200 days and had to fight to live. Her strong will and determination to thrive are still displayed today by her feisty personality in the Early Childhood classroom. When Wilhemina 'acts out' during circle time, the other children giggle and enjoy her funny antics. The teachers realize the need to help guide her behavior in a positive direction and yet allow her to feel free to talk, thereby diminishing her frustration from her language delay which enables her to learn. "Shape the spirit, not damage it" is the teachers' motto. The teachers secretly enjoy Wilhemina's spunk but also realize they have to gently show Wilhemina and the other children proper conduct in the classroom. Wilhemina's key to learning is her strong will to survive and to learn to take care of herself. Visit the Illustrator's website at www.creativeartsbycathy.com

THE KEY TO MY CHILDREN: WILHEMINA'S STRONG WILL is about a three year old little girl who was born eleven weeks preterm, a "preemie." She was in the hospital over 200 days and had to fight to live. Her strong will and determination to thrive are still displayed today by her feisty personality in the Early Childhood classroom. When Wilhemina 'acts out' during circle time, the other children giggle and enjoy her funny antics. The teachers realize the need to help guide her behavior in a positive direction and yet allow her to feel free to talk, thereby diminishing her frustration from her language delay which enables her to learn. "Shape the spirit, not damage it" is the teachers' motto. The teachers secretly enjoy Wilhemina's spunk but also realize they have to gently show Wilhemina and the other children proper conduct in the classroom. Wilhemina's key to learning is her strong will to survive and to learn to take care of herself. Visit the Illustrator's website at www.creativeartsbycathy.com

THE KEY TO MY CHILDREN SERIES: CHARLIE IS CLEVER is about a five year old boy whose behavior is at times hard to manage. Upon arriving at school one day, Charlie was already out of control. Miss Susan and Miss Nancy knew immediately they would need to set limits and help Charlie calmly focus and follow directions throughout the day. During free play, the teachers and other children watch and giggle as Charlie cleverly changes costumes to become different characters. When it is time for speech class, the teachers redirect Charlie in order to calm him down and make good choices to ensure a positive outcome. Charlie's key to learning is setting limits and providing structure to help him focus on following directions and paying attention to his environment. Charlie's label is Emotional Disability.

THE KEY TO MY CHILDREN SERIES: EVAN'S EYEBROWS SAY YES is about a three year old little boy who uses a wheelchair and requires many adaptations in order to participate fully in the classroom due to his weakened muscles. From the very first day Evan entered the preschool classroom, he felt welcomed. He could play safely with his friends on the floor by using adaptive equipment, he could lead them marching around the classroom as he beat his adapted tom-tom, and he could do a puzzle or an art project on his tray along with the other children. He even used the computer to teach the others about Thanksgiving by just touching an adapted screen connected to the computer instead of using a "mouse." He was a wonderful boy who stole Miss Susan's heart. When Evan used his eyebrows up and down as if to nod "yes" instead of nodding his head, Miss Susan and Miss Nancy smiled. He had even adapted himself to meet his needs Evan's key to learning is not only adaptive equipment but also his incredible love for life. Evan was a joy to have in the classroom. Evan's label is Other Health Impairment. Order online at www.keytomychildren.com Visit the Illustrator's website at www.creativeartsbycathy.com

THE KEY TO MY CHILDREN SERIES: HEATHER HEARD THAT is about a 3 year old girl who wears hearing aids. The school's Hearing Impaired Teacher also recommended Heather use an assistive listening device while in the preschool classroom. The device, or auditory trainer, required Miss Susan to wear a microphone close to her mouth while Heather clipped on a wireless receiver attached to her hearing aids. It allowed Heather to hear Miss Susan's voice over the surrounding noise. Miss Susan wanted to be sure Heather was comfortable her first day of school and not be self conscious about her hearing aids. She decided to make a fun game out of the auditory trainer Heather was wearing. The "fun" game turned into a "funny" game when Heather heard something not really intended for her to hear! Heather's key to learning is the auditory trainer which enables her to focus on the spoken language and to better her atttention and concentration.

THE KEY TO MY CHILDREN: HANNAH CAN TALK WITH HER HANDS is about a four year old little girl who uses sign language to communicate, or, as Miss Susan and Miss Nancy say, "she talks using her hands not her voice." The teachers expect Hannah to talk someday, but until then, they have taught her sign language. Feeling powerful in her world can minimize frustration and enable her to learn. After the other students see the power of sign language, they are excited to learn it themselves. It also helps the other children realize Hannah is learning and that they can understand her now if they learn some simple signing words. Hannah's key to learning is sign language.