Delivering Support
The groups we deliver seek to support each individual child’s development in a variety of ways: e.g.
speech and language development; signing; listening; fine and gross motor skills; peer, child and parent interaction; sharing; turn taking; eye contact; waiting; sensory stimulation; following instructions and supporting choice. We achieve this by using a range of specific strategic approaches tailored to both the needs of the group and to each individual child.
Our Groups
Our groups are on a Tuesday 10-11 am and a Thursday at 10-11am and 11.30-12,30 (in term time only) from Bridgend Farmhouse.
Groups currently have limited numbers in accordance to S
Scottish government covid guidelines
The group begins with a short free play session to enable the children and parents time to arrive and settle into the room. Each group follows a structure which is repeated every week, this supports the children to understand the routine.
Our group sessions are delivered in 4 weeks blocks. Each block has a theme such as; festivals, weather, seasons, sensory play, colours, numbers, clothing, morning and bedtime routines, transport and messy play.
Recently we explored our topic farm animals; feeling felt from sheep, making sheep pictures, making choices of colour, textures and working on letter formation (lots of 'baaing' that week!) At the end of the block we did a group visit to the city farm to meet all of the animals we had been learning about.
We have also explored 'springtime': focusing on the growth of flowers, smelling herbs, making herb bags to take home, potato printing flowers and planting seeds.
Each 4 week block introduces new signs, symbols and signifiers which are repeated throughout the groups. If there are specific topics families would like to cover, suggestions are always welcome!
We have covered a block on numeracy focusing on counting up to five. We did this through songs such as five speckled frogs, five little ducks, five yummy cakes, five fat sausages. Song bags with all of the props were then made so each child could choose which one to take home. Symbols of each song covered in the block were sent home too the children seemed to love the bags and requesting songs at home. Each bag covered several areas of development including counting, fine motor skills, eye and hand co-ordination, turn taking and problem solving. A great opportunity for consistency and the children getting to share this experience with their families.
We recently had a request from several families if we could focus on morning and bedtime routines. Their was lots of role playing from the children. We used a symbolled timetable for each step in the routines.
The children seemed to enjoy bathing baby dolls and getting their pyjamas and tucking them into bed for a bedtime story.
After the work is done the children sit around a table together and enjoy snack with their friends, this also gives the parents/carers the opportunity to chat.
(Please note changes to group due to covid guidelines there will be no singing within the sessions)
The sensory sessions
The VIP club has had an amazing opportunity from The Smart play network to have a 5 week block on their sensory bus. The children got to explore many different sensory activities and have lots of fun in the sessions that were delivered by the amazing staff.
Leanne also delivers consultancy training and freelance work for the smart play network.