Among the many benefits of doing jigsaw puzzles, these three points stand out.

1. Physical Skills: as the child manipulates the puzzle pieces to fit together, eye-hand coordination as well as fine-motor skills are developed.

2. Cognitive Skills: memory enhancement, problem-solving, shape and color recognition are just a few learning skills enhanced during jigsaw puzzle activities.

3. Emotional Development: for those who are having difficulty putting the puzzle pieces together, patience is slowly being developed as the child puts the pieces together.

Jigsaw puzzle activities can also be given as a goal setting objective that progresses from a few pieces to multiple pieces as the child becomes more adept with the activity.

Yesterday, December 1, 2012, PWD Thanksgiving Celebration was held at the Manila Zoo.

Manila Mayor Fred Lim was the guest of honor. He said in his speech the City Hall of Manila employs around 200 PWDs.

Guests and advocates who delivered messages were John Chua, A PWD Advocate and famous photographer; Engr. Bien Mateo, Chairman of SM Program on Disability Affairs; Mr. Tony Pasia, representing all PWD Organizations.

The guests of the event were treated to intermission numbers by the ASP Dream Girls who sang a medley of pop songs, PHWHIC Kids who did a Gangnam Style dance number and the Nelmida Twins and the Ambassadors of Light who delighted the guests with their songs.

There was also a bird show c’/ Manila Zoo, Ventriloquist Show and Bubble Show .

Photography with a Difference supported the event with the participating groups:

• ADHD Society
• Autism Society of the Philippines
• Down Syndrome Society of the Philippines, Inc
• Parents Advocates for Visually Impaired Children
• Parent Council for the Welfare of Hearing Impaired Children, Inc.
• Philippine Society of Orphan Disorders

The PWD Thanksgiving Celebration was sponsored by the following: City of Manila, Kinder Zoo Adventure Jungle, Canon Philippines and SM Cares Foundation.

A few more photos here.

A lot of people do not give importance to music as a way to to teach children with special needs.

One of the things I enjoyed when I was still teaching preschool was to include music in the day to day curriculum. There are songs to make the kids get up and play, there are songs that teach learning concepts, there are songs that helps them pack away the materials they used such as there are songs that signals the class is ending in a bit and we have to say good-byes.

I have to say that though I have very limited musical ability when it comes to playing musical instruments during those times when I was still teaching the young ones, I know that did not deter me from enjoying music with them then. I just wish I paid more attention when I was taking piano lessons when I was way younger.

Teaching children about music (and also how to play various musical instruments) is a good way for them to learn a lot of things:

• they learn to listen
• they learn to feel the rhythm, the beat, the essence
• they learn to be more sensitive in listening to others especially if they have to play musical instruments with others
• they move to the beat of the music
• they are able to distinguish similarities and differences for say for example, ultra light acoustic guitar strings or nylon strings

Music is a good learning tool and when properly used, can be a big help for the children with special needs.

Here are a few samples of songs to teach for children with special needs.