Mychal’s Learning Place is committed to the belief that children with Developmental Disabilities are valuable contributors to our community and as such should be provided with opportunities that encourage them to reach their full potential. Our mission is to assist these children in building self-esteem and increase independence through goal oriented activities.
Below are the types of activities used by Mychal's Learning Place, click on each of the activities to learn more about them:
M.I.L.E. Program | Bowling | Saturday Classes | Sports Activities | Independent Living Skills
Karate | Music & Dance and Movement | Gardening | Computers
M.I.L.E. Program, Mychal's Independent Living Experience
MILE is a weekend residential program that opened its doors in 2008 to four students with developmental disabilities, ages 17+, in a pilot project that was very successful. The plan is to make the program available to as many young adults with developmental disabilities as we can support. This is not a vacation for the children or a respite weekend for parents. This requires serious work and a serious commitment on the part of both children and parents. However, the payoff is immeasurable. The follow up at home is key to the success of this program.
For more information please contact us at 310-297-9333 or email us at info@mychals.org.
Bowling
The bowling program is very popular with the children because they are all able to participate independently, however, there are even some that still require minor assistance. We use bumpers on a few of the lanes and for the children who require it we use a ball ramp, this ensures that all the children will succeed. Some of the children will be able, with continued practice, to bowl without the use of bumpers. However, for those who do not require bumpers, those lanes are readily available for them. Bowling is also an activity that the children are able to participate in with their local Special Olympics organization. Some of the children love bowling so much that they have their own bowling balls, bags and shoes allowing them to bring a whole new element to the program that makes it an even more special experience for them.
Some of the benefits to bowling are:
- The ability to follow rules and manage turn taking
- Building independence and self-esteem
- Encourage social interaction with peers
- Encouraging their friends to succeed
- Care for personal property
We team up with AMF El Dorado Lanes in Westchester for Mychal's Pin Pals Bowling League. This is a 12 week session on Saturdays and all are welcome to bowl whether a seasoned bowler or a first timer. We've formed this league to create a social network for friends and families to gather and have fun. Click here for more information.
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Starting Saturday, January 14, 2012, we will have another 10-week session of specialty classes held at our Hawthorne building. Each class will be one hour long and students may choose from Fitness, Art, Music or Cooking. These classes are taught by our experienced staff and other members of the extended Mychal's family. No previous experience is necessary. Class sizes are limited. Click here for more information and to view/print the registration form.
Sports and Fitness
We offer a variety of sports activities that include basketball, bowling, karate, fitness traini All of these programs provide unlimited benefits to the participants.
Physical activity is such an important part of life and our goal is to help our students gain confidence and self-esteem. Learning the basic skills and rules of different sports aids the students in the following:
- Strength
- Balance and coordination
- Fine and Gross motor skills
- Sportsmanship
- Teamwork
- Socialization
Our program also participates in the Special Olympics under the sports of Basketball and Bowling. We take pride in the Special Olympic Athletic oath: "Let me win, but if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt." Those who participate in the teams enjoy the time with their friends and the competitive play that they engage in for both sports.
Independent Living Skills
The independent living skills program will give the children the skills needed to achieve more independence. We have a variety of programs which we work on with the children on a monthly basis, which include:
- Cooking
- Safety and Sign recognition
- Money, Time
- Personal Hygiene
- Social interaction and role-playing
Karate
When we first introduced the karate program one of our main goals was to give the children tools to use which would allow them to protect themselves. It has turned into much more and continues to grow. All the children enjoy the Karate program and there are many benefits:
- Teach courtesy and respect for their fellow students, teachers and their environment
- Build strength, balance, coordination
- Improved focus and concentration
- Appropriate social interaction with peers
- Confidence and self-esteem builder
- Develop self-defense skills
Music & Dance and Movement
The music and dance and movement programs are two of the favorite programs for children and staff. The Music and Dance and Movement programs work on developing a child’s self-awareness, confidence and social behavior. They observe a child’s behavior and interactions and assess communication, cognitive/academic, motor social/emotional as well as musical and dance skills. Music and Dance and Movement provides opportunities to explore personal feelings and therapeutic issues such as:
- Self-esteem or personal insight
- Enhanced awareness of self and environment
- Express oneself verbally and non-verbally
- Develop coping and relaxation skills
- Interact socially with others
- Develop independence and decision making skills
- Improve concentration and attention span
- Support happy feelings and thoughts
- Adopt positive forms of behavior
Gardening
The children enjoy the gardening program which consists of raised beds. The produce and herbs the students grow are used in the cooking program. They also maintain the flower beds and general landscaping around the building.
Through a generous grant from Ahmanson Foundation we have been able to create an amazing computer lab that provides all areas of training whether a novice or proficient user. The lessons range from simple booting up the computer, typing programs, web browsing and so much more. The possibilities are endless of what our students can learn with the technology available.