New Release Books by Laura Park

A practical book for congregations interested in bringing clarity and focus to their ministry, The Nested Bowls defines and reframes the purpose of values, mission, and ends in congregational life, and provides an engaging, meaningful process for the entire congregation to inform the board's articulation of these foundational policies. Distilling ten years of Unity Consulting's experience in this work, The Nested Bowls offers both road map and inspiration for finding the core of your congregation's purpose and the difference it makes in people's lives.

A series of comic featuring the character Lil' Cindy.

The growth of international students in the United States and in California substantiates the need to understand the experiences and behaviors of these migratory populations (Institute of International Education, Inc., 2014). In 2014-2015, international students from China in California represented 34% of the higher education population, leading the countries of origin for the state. The purpose of this study is to provide understanding of how international students from China use social media to pursue 'local' Chinese culture in the global context. More specifically, this paper illustrates how Chinese international students engage in the social network site activity, WeChat Red Bags, which utilizes both traditional symbolism and novel features, to participate in native Chinese tradition. Utilizing qualitative, participant-centered methods of data collection and analysis, the findings demonstrate how the students' use of WeChat Red Bags engages dimensions of their 'local' Chinese traditional culture.

In this modern age of technology, children need nature play more than ever before in human history. Pediatric therapy practitioners around the world are reading current research and realizing the benefits of nature for children with developmental challenges. Evidence suggests nature-based therapy is a powerful way to help children make rapid gains in sensory processing, mental health, motor coordination, and social play skills.Just like any real adventure, nature-based therapy is exciting and fun...but getting started as a nature-based therapist can feel overwhelming and scary due to all the logistics and unknowns. Most of us are used to working indoors and nature-based therapy is an emerging practice area with not much out there to guide us.Therapy in the Great Outdoors will help you start providing nature-based therapy immediately with confidence and ease! In this book, occupational therapist Laura Park Figueroa shares lessons learned during the start-up and growth of Outdoor Kids Occupational Therapy, a nature-based pediatric practice. In this book, you will learn:¿ Expert tips for managing logistics and planning nature-based therapy sessions.¿ Specific supplies you need to get started without spending a ton of money.¿ Must-have outdoor skills: hanging swings, building fires, tying the one knot you must know, and more!¿ And best of all: 44 easy-to-do kid-tested therapy activities requiring minimal supplies that you can carry in a large backpack for mobile therapy sessions in nature! With proven ideas for Crafts & Building, Group Movement Games, Social Skills & Self-Regulation, Snack Time, & Swings, you'll have an entire school year's worth of activities to help you effortlessly plan your nature-based therapy sessions. You will be inspired and equipped to adventure into nature-based therapy and transform children's lives!