Radio Flyers
Every child deserves to learn in a way that works for them. At Radio Flyers, we help elementary and middle school students develop emotional and academic skills through personalized support plans.
A Typical Day
Your child's day starts with breakfast and a friendly check-in with their mentor. This simple routine helps us understand how they're feeling and adjust our approach accordingly.
Classes run in short, focused sessions. When a student needs a break, they take one. When they're engaged and learning, we keep going. This flexibility is key to their success.
Students move between one-on-one instruction, small group activities, and therapeutic support. They might start with reading, take a sensory break, join friends for a science project, then head outside for movement time.
Social skills develop naturally during lunch, recess, and group activities. Our staff provides gentle coaching to help students build lasting friendships.
Working Together
Our comprehensive support involves extensive collaboration with everyone in a student's life. NSM staff will let you know exactly how your child is doing through:
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Open communication and collaboration with program leadership
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Regular team meetings
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Progress reports
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Collaborative planning sessions
At Radio Flyers, we prepare students for successful transitions back to their district schools. We start a year in advance, gradually introducing elements of a traditional classroom – from larger group work to individual social skills classes. Students begin with one class they're passionate about, such as art, and build from there. This thoughtful approach helps ensure lasting success.
The Power of Social Stories
Social stories make new experiences more accessible and comfortable by breaking down activities into clear, step-by-step sequences. Students learn exactly what to expect before encountering new situations, helping them feel prepared and confident.
For a student preparing to go skiing, for example, social stories detail how long the car ride to the mountain will take, what the cold weather might feel like, the process of carrying equipment from the car to the lodge, and the sequence of putting on boots, jackets, and gloves. This detailed preparation helps transform a potentially overwhelming day into a series of manageable steps.
The same approach helps with navigating everyday activities. Before grocery shopping, students can preview each step of the experience, from getting a cart to checking out. When planning to eat at a restaurant, social stories help students feel comfortable with the process of being seated, reading the menu, and ordering their meal.
What makes social stories so effective is their ability to turn unfamiliar situations into step-by-step experiences that students can understand and anticipate. Each story creates a bridge between preparation and real-world independence. Nothing is more rewarding than watching our students gain the confidence to try new things!
