Drive Thru Menu Programs

The Drive Thru Menus Exercise Programs were developed by the author, an occupational therapist, with more than 25 years of experience in pediatrics and mental health. The programs are intended to provide engaging and meaningful exercises in situations where time is limited, in much the same way that drive thru restaurants can provide food for those without much time. Each program consists of two large, colorful posters each showing a menu of 10 exercises and a Leader's Manual. The Leader's Manual provides all the information needed to conduct a Drive Thru Menu program. It is divided, like the posters into two main sections. Each section lists the 10 exercises from the poster, explains its purpose, how to prepare for the exercise, how to do the exercise and possible ways to vary and adapt the exercise.

A. Drive Thru Menu Exercises for Attention and Strength Posters are for use with students in any elementary school classroom or in the home and can be introduced by a teacher, a parent or a therapist. They appeal to children because they are easy to learn, easy to do and they are fun. Each exercise is designed to help children get the sensory input or muscular work they need to accomplish their daily tasks in the classroom. The Strength Menu exercises help students who have poor pencil grip, illegible handwriting, difficulty opening packages, using tools such as scissors, paper clips, staplers, etc. The Attention Menu exercises help students who have a hard time paying attention, settling down, waiting in line, or staying focused while working independently. Together, the Drive Thru Menu Exercises for Attention and Strength provide teachers and parents with a flexible program for offering students organizing sensory input and upper body strength building. Selecting and participating in the exercises prior to academic tasks allow children to perform successfully. As students become familiar with the exercises, they discover what works for them and then choose the exercises that help them maintain alertness and motor skills.

B. Drive Thru Menu Exercises for Relaxation and Stress Busters are designed for and applicable to a variety of people and are multi-generational in their appeal. Using ideas borrowed from other well known techniques such as Yoga, Tai Chi and meditation, the Drive Thru Menu exercises are packaged in a way that makes it easier to teach coping skills in situations where time is limited. The Relaxation Menu exercises utilize visualization and meditation to achieve a sense of tranquility and peacefulness. The Stress Busters Menu exercises utilize active, dynamic movements to relieve stress. Using the Relaxation and Stress Busters Menus throughout the day helps individuals feeling stress control their emotions more effectively. With practice and familiarity some may learn and acquire the habits of self-management and control. Classrooms, treatment centers, nursing homes, group homes and community-based centers can all utilize these exercises as part of their daily routine. Practice makes perfect. With these exercises practice creates peace, soothes the mind and improves coping skills for life?s challenges.