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How
is Sprinkled with Words different
from other kid cooking classes?
Our cooking sessions
are tools to encourage growth in your child’s learning development
and communication skills. They are not for the purposes of a child
learning to cook. We individualize your child’s session according
to their particular learning and diet needs. Whether the purpose
of the session is to target goals such as requesting skills, increasing
food exploration or math measurement, you help us decide. Our sensory-based,
developmental and interactive approach focuses on the PROCESS of
cooking, not just the end product. Our sessions are guided by knowledgeable
and experienced staff in the teaching and therapy fields and they are held in your
child’s natural environment, whether that be home, school
or other settings. We believe the natural environment promotes child
participation, encourages functional learning and generalized acquisition
of skills by involving family members and peers. We strive to support
the child and the family’s goals and act on a consultation
& collaborative-based delivery service.
- What kind
of ingredients do you use?
We use mostly organic, non-processed ingredients
and strive to use local farmers’ produce for the sustainability and vitality of our community.
- Can you accommodate for my
child’s dietary restrictions?
Accommodations for gluten, casein, egg, soy and nut free diets can be made for most recipes. We will work with you
to adjust recipes accordingly.
- How do you incorporate goals
into my child’s cooking session?
Goals are targeted based on your child’s
level of development and necessary skill acquisition.
We use TEKS based curriculum and/or determined therapeutic goals based
on feedback from
you, teachers and therapists working with your child.
- Does Sprinkled
with Words serve only children with identified
speech-language difficulties?
All children love to play, learn and create. Cooking is a fun language-rich learning experience for everyone. Sprinkled with Words serves children with or without speech, language, and learning difficulties. Group sessions with siblings, peers and parents are encouraged.
- Why should my child participate in Sprinkled with Words services if he/she is already receiving speech or occupational therapy?
Sprinkled with Words is a non-traditional approach to learning that targets individual child goals and integrates these skills through a holistic and functional avenue for lifelong learning.
- What if my child needs speech
and language therapy but has not been
evaluated and diagnosed?
We provide screening measures to help determine
whether your child would benefit from a
comprehensive speech and language evaluation. We can refer you to several known &
trusted private practitioners
in town.
- Can I submit my child’s
cooking session and adjunct therapy for medical
insurance reimbursement and do you file claims for us?
All sessions are currently rendered as learning enrichment and not reimbursable as therapy. Individualized speech and language therapy goals will be integrated into your child's session based upon collaboration with his or her primary provider.
- What if I need to reschedule
my child’s cooking session?
We understand that life has unpredictable circumstances. We will work with you to reschedule sessions within a reasonable time frame. All cooking
sessions require a
non-refundable deposit in advance.
- What safety precautions do you take during your sessions?
All sessions are guided and supervised by adults familiar with kitchen tools and equipment. Our youngest participants are not allowed to use many of these items. Older child participants may use some equipment under supervision. Group sessions are kept small with additional adults present to facilitate optimal safety and learning.
- What kind of language enrichment
activities and parent guidance are provided
post cooking session?
Follow-up activities may be play-based and/or
picture-text based activities related to your child’s
session goals & developmental skills. Parent guidance will include
techniques to help you facilitate your child’s learning. A handout will be provided which includes the recipe, activity ideas, and information so that you may recreate the cooking session at home.
- Do parents have to be present
and participate in home cooking sessions?
One parent/caregiver must be present in the
household during the cooking session and the entire
time Sprinkled with Words staff is present. We strongly encourage
parent participation in the
cooking session so that they may be partners in their child’s
learning and communication.
- What if my child has some
behavioral challenges? Can he/she still participate in group cooking
sessions?
Any child participating in a Sprinkled with
Words cooking session must be able to follow simple
safety rules around kitchen items & appliances for the safety
of that child and others. For group
cooking sessions, children must be able to participate in a small
group learning environment without significant need for one-on-one
assistance.
- Can I select more than one menu item from the monthly menu choices for my child's cooking session?
Standard Sprinkled with Words packages offer families one item choice from our monthly menu. We choose menu items in advance after considerable market research and thought as how to best structure the sessions for optimal learning and other factors such as available seasonal produce. Special Event, Grocery Store Outings, School Sessions and Parent "Meal Talk" programs have separate menus. Inquire for more details.
- What age range does Sprinkled with Words serve?
Most sessions are designed for kids within the 2 year old to 8 year old developmental range, though older children often enjoy and benefit from our sessions too. We encourage older siblings and peers to participate.
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