Welcome to Big Play in a Box! A small, very small business operated by one, with the help of a blue, furry monster who serves as the voice to many kids that I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with who have Sensory Processing Disorder. We create boxes filled with play to give families screen-free hands-on play that are developmentally aligned for children between ages of 3-8.
I recently received a large order from a local school district. It came with a deadline with which I knew I would have trouble fulfilling on time. Since beginning this journey, I knew that when the time came that I needed help, I would seek out individuals who were not typical conventional paid employees.
I had expressed my desire to connect with a local retirement center to a friend. She happened to have a contact name and I reached out to see if they may have any individuals who may be interested in becoming some of my new employees!
The Community Service Director at Ashlan Village in Lyman, SC was thrilled when I reached out to explain my ask.
As an Occupational Therapist, our job is to seek out any means that allows one to be as independent as one can be in their present stage of life. We are taught that a balance between self-care, leisure, and work promotes motivation and life satisfaction.
This is true of children, adolescents, young adults, adults, middle-age, AND the elderly. My career early on began working with elderly individuals. Both of my parents spent time in assisted living and extended care facilities. Not once, did they lose the desire to be independent and feel productive.
I caught the crowd of potential employees before the popular weekly BINGO game. I gave my spiel about my mission to promote more play that does not include screens and they promptly accepted the job.
I asked them to complete 3 different projects and I gave them a "due" date of 2 weeks. To my utter surprise, they finished in 5 DAYS! Not only were my new employees efficient, their requested pay was quite reasonable! I simply made them some homemade chocolate chip cookies!
Our world is filled with so many uncertainties. Our news is filled with tragedy and sadness. I share these pictures with you in hopes of putting a smile on your face.
I hope it also serves as a reminder that the very young AND the very old yearn for the same things we do at our present ages.
Self-Care - Leisure - Work
How are you doing with balancing those 3 areas?
Have a GREAT Week!
Miss Connie & Otie!
P.S. Here is the finished product in which these wonderful individuals helped me put together to serve multiple children who are in need of additional social-emotional support in the school system. At the time of writing this, I have a few of these boxes left for individual sale. Check it out further HERE.