Life skills Group in Childrens Therapy
Occupational Therapists in Childrens Therapy ran Life Skills Groups in the holidays. These groups took place within the Child Development Centre every morning for a week during February half term and again during the Easter holidays. They were for children between seven to ten years old, with developmental coordination disorders and other fine and gross motor difficulties.
Occupational Therapists in Childrens Therapy ran Life Skills Groups in the holidays. These groups took place within the Child Development Centre every morning for a week during February half term and during the Easter holidays. They were for children between seven to ten years old, with developmental coordination disorder and other fine and gross motor difficulties.
These children were referred to the group from Consultants, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and other health professionals.
Aims of the Group
- To encourage independent dressing skills
- To encourage independent meal preparation
- To encourage independent use of cutlery
- To improve ability with writing, cutting and other fine motor skills
- To improve organisation skills
- To increase self esteem/confidence in achieving the above
The group activities consisted of:
- Cooking
- PE type activities
- Craft
In each session some of the activities were done by the whole group whilst others were done in smaller groups. For cooking and PE the children were divided into two groups, where they had the support and supervision of two therapists. The therapists encouraged the children to participate in activities which they had previously avoided doing as they felt they could not do them.
Masks were made during the craft sessions which were worn at the party on the last day. All the children made cakes for the party, to which they invited their parents. Lots of fun was had by all!
Parent Group
A parent group took place separately on two mornings , the aims of this were:
- To provide information
- To empower parents
- To allow parents to socialise with other parents whose children have similar difficultis and to share strategies.
Comments from parents:
He is brimming with confidence at the end of the week and has actually asked to play ball games at the weekend
......... has been more confident wanting to try more things, even brushing his teeth and washing without being asked.
It has been good for my child to learn how to do some things for herself and to understand that other children have similar difficulties
News flash!
A further group is planned for the summer holidays.
