It is very hard to explain today!!! We have had so many children doing things we didn't expect them to do .... especially the children with cerebral palsy !! We have had time today to spend with these children and discover just what we can get their limbs to do. Some are reaching up to the baby gym, another while laying on the floor is connecting mega blocks, turning book pages and doing chunky puzzles ! Another child when her lower arm is placed on a chair seat is moving her fingers to grasp at a block. The physiotherapists are doing an amazing job ... the children are at a point where limbs are able to move. Others are now able to drag themselves along with their upper limbs after years of dedicated therapy by the wonderful physio's. Thank God for people like this!!
To see these staff using the equipment with the children with confidence is great. We even taught one of these very special girls to cook playdough today and are hoping to have enough time to use it tomorrow. We spent yesterday training staff from 10am till 7pm, then today watching the children do it. It was also good to see volunteer helpers using the equipment to interact with the children.
We have finally had some time spare to work at the other house with the children who attend school. They range in age, from 6 to about 15 years old, and ability levels. Tracey helped with homework and assessed the children's use of time. I sat with one of the teachers and supported her while she began to assess/ screen the children for the first time. It was great to watch her gain confidence with the screeners as I made suggestions, explained results, and together we made alterations to suit their culture and language. Some children were more comfortable in English surprisingly. Many of the children's comments about school, lessons and instructions were the same as ours. I even laughed as children got into trouble for not having their glasses on. Proof that all children are the same where ever they live !
No comments:
Post a Comment