Intro & Ways to Use Funteachy Gnome™
Example “Mealtime” Video, Related Shirt, and Related Comic Strip Poster
There’s also just fun merch. I mean, Walrus is hilarious in Animals Keeping Together. lol
Welcome! So what do we have here, you ask? A collection of offbeat stuff? Haha, exactly! But there’s a method to the madness. We’re just getting started (as of April ‘26), but here’s “what this is to be.”
WHO IS IT FOR?
Funteachy Gnome YouTube videos and related reminder-merch is for anyone who needs it and finds it entertaining, but the goal is that it reaches people with intellectual challenges, schools, and day programs.
We aim for range, and to reach a spectrum of abilities and intellectual ages. This is why you’ll see different playlist, and (AI) cartoon series as well as “real people.”
HOW DO I USE IT?
You can use it (all Funteachy Gnome™ stuff) in whatever way works for you or your class or group. There’s no right way. You can simply watch the YouTube shorts and discuss them. They will certainly drive conversation and help to build vocabulary because they are just weird enough (offbeat enough) to get a laugh or a “what the?” Short and shared moments with catch-phrases are great because you can later use the catchphrase to bring a whole life skills scene to mind, quickly, when needed.
But here’s a suggestion if you want to “really use it.” Whenever a new video goes up on YouTube, new reminder-merch goes up on Shopify within a couple days. (See Example Image Featuring “Mealtime” Video, Related Shirt, and Related Comic Strip Poster)
WHY WAS FUNTEACHY GNOME CREATED?
I have four adult kids. After my daughter, who has Angelman Syndrome, aged out of special education, we had new challenges. I became a trained DSP (direct support professional) in order to better help. And I began noticing that the same ole things (especially things that felt like “school”) were not keeping her attention where life skills were concerned. We had a lot of down time while she was finding her self-directed, adult self, and since I already know her humor, I began reimagining life skills materials - her style. And I thought, why don’t I share this just in case somebody else gets it and benefits too?! Why not have fun with it?
I’M A TEACHER. WHAT ABOUT PERMISSIONS?
Schools, adult programs, and private homes and individuals have express permission to use Funteachy Gnome™ materials for teaching life skills and having discussions about life skills. If you do use it, please let me know how it’s going and what works for you!