Learning builds confidence. No matter who you are or your background, learning new information makes you feel capable. At Magdala House’s Adult Day Care Program in St. Louis, the goal is independence and learning is how we get there.
Learning teaches autonomy. Having a say over your life is empowering. It builds confidence. It shows you your capability. A client may ask: if I can read and learn, what else can I do? I can move my body. I can hold conversations. I can learn to budget my money. I can speak for myself. Society has taught us that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not as capable as what is considered normal. But at Magdala House, we are showing our clients they are capable by teaching lessons rooted in their daily life and the world around them.
At Magdala House’s Adult Day Care Program, clients explore the world around them and beyond. One recent learning session took clients all the way to outer space.
Clients worked together with the supervision of staff and built the solar system. Large black construction paper was laid out on the table with white lines going across. Each client painted a planet and then glued it in place. This learning session taught them to work together, take turns, follow instructions, and be creative.
The solar system is one example of our clients learning about the world they live in. They have learned the differences between honey bees and bumble bees and built a beehive out of clay. They explored the spirit of Hawaii, learning about its unique alphabet, time zone, and culture, and celebrated with a luau. They honored Juneteenth by making shish kabobs, connecting a hands-on activity to a powerful piece of history.
Vocabulary runs through all of it. Each lesson introduces new words, and those words show up in real life. A client who learns the word “bathroom” in class starts recognizing it on signs in public. A client who learns words from a lesson can read a snack wrapper, write a message to a staff member, or speak up for what they need. Reading is not separate from independence. It is how independence happens.
Independence is essential for people with disabilities just as much as it is for you and me. And every day staff at Magdala House Adult Day Care Program are learning how far we can stretch the independence of those we serve through lessons that will help them in their everyday lives.
Want to learn more about how Magdala House’s Adult Day Care Program builds independence through everyday learning? Call us today 314-571-9950 to find out more.
