Down Syndrome-Barb Foster

-Mark Rajewski

My Friend Has Down SyndromeBy Jennifer Moore-MallinosIllustrated by Marta Fabrega

What is Down Syndrome?

• Being born with an extra gene.

• Tiny bits of matter inside us.

• Genes make us who we are.

• Genes decide how our bodies look.

• Genes decide how our bodies work.

How are we the same?•We all have feelings.•We all have friends.•We all go to school.•We all like to play.

•How else are we the same?

How are we different?•We have different skin colors.•We are good at different things.•We don’t learn the same way.•We have different families.

•How else are we different?

Kids with Down Syndrome• Have almond-shaped eyes.

• Have short arms and legs.

• Have small ears and mouths.

• May have trouble seeing and hearing.

• May take longer to learn things.

Kids with Down Syndrome

• Go to school.

• Play with friends.

• Have feelings.

• Learn new things

• Like to have fun!

Talking can be Tricky.

Children with Down Syndrome might…

• Stutter

• Be hard to understand.

• Need help with speech.

Movement

Children with Down Syndrome …

• May have poor muscle tone.

• May move slower than you.

• Need practice to

strengthen muscles.

What would it be like?

*Marshmallow Experiment.

*Gloves Experiment

What can we do to help?•Say ‘Hello’.•Be friendly to ALL children.•Take time to understand.•Ask if you don’t understand.•Don’t let others be mean.

What can we do that hurts?

•Ignore.•Tease.•Call names.•Leave out.

How do we welcome a friend?

•Introduce yourself.•Invite them to play.•Ask if they need help.•Show them how it’s done.•Show them around the room.

Other Books for Children

1.

2.

3.

Bouwkamp, J. (2007). Hi I’m ben!...and I’ve got a secret. Rochester Hills: Band of Angels.

Down Syndrome Society of Rhode Island. Down syndrome awareness project. Retrieved April 11, 2012,from http://www.dssri.org/awareness.html.

Down Syndrome WA. Teaching strategies. Retrieved April 11, 2012, http://dsawa.asn.au/children/education/teaching strategies.html.

Glazer, J. (2002). Taking down syndrome to school. (n.c.): Jay Jo Books.

Moore-Mallinos, J. (2008). My friend has down syndrome. Hauppauge: Barron’s Educational Series.

Tourville, A. (2010). My friend has down syndrome. Mankato: Picture Window Books.

References