Tag: Participation

Happy Thursday

Thursday must have been the best day ever for Nevaeh. It had been three weeks since her last music lesson and riding. Nevaeh did beautiful finger notes that Marilyn echoed in a higher key. She confidently used just one finger to hit the keys and can move between keys with one finger. Row, Row and You Are My Sunshine are her favourite tunes. For improvisation, she loves exploring the keyboard using various keys with fast lively rhythms.

All of Nevaeh’s hard work is paying off. Her interactions with the iPad are controlled. She is making more deliberate taps and these are directed. Nevaeh can at times engage with her IPad without using her headphones. This is pleasing as it means that Nevaeh can engage more in the class environment.

A couple of hours later we loaded up the car with our riding gear and it was off to RDA. We had a change of mounts. Nevaeh was on Lexi this week. Lexi’s wider girth meant that Nevaeh was sitting taller. She was more planted in the saddle, less likely to move from side to side. A wide smile spread across her face. It took a little time to settle her excitement. It is lovely having Alex as part of the support team at RDA.

It is great to be back at school!

A new favourite

Playtime music is just the best! Nevaeh can often be seen on the court. On a recent sunny day, Nevaeh was interested in her shadow. She watched as she moved her body, raising her right hand and looking at the shadow changing. This indicates that Nevaeh’s awareness of herself and how her body moves is growing.  Watch Nevaeh in action hereIMG_0354

 

Nevaeh was picking up items from the court and bringing them to her face for closer inspection. She is aware of her surroundings and new objects in the space. Her curiosity about her environment is growing, and she is aware of any change in her surroundings.

A Busy Week at School

On Tuesday Andy, the speech and Language therapist came. After showing Andy all the cool things I could do on ‘Go Talk’, Andy gave me some Matchbox cars to play with. Cars are my favourite thing. There was a dump truck, and orange, blue and purple cars. I was so busy with them I wasn’t keen to give them back. Andy was kind enough to leave them for me to play with.

My teacher aides are working on me learning left and right. Andy was kind enough to suggest that you touch my left or right shoulder to help me remember. with the shapes in my learning time I am learning above and below. This will help me access the words I want on the ‘Go Talk’.

Fun day Thursday rolled around. We had an early music lesson Marilyn. I impressed her with using my second and third finger independently. The notes I can play are much sharper because I am only putting one finger on them.  I am am creating my own music. I have linked a video for you to watch.

Link to Video IMG_9009                                   Link to VideoIMG_9005

 

 

 

 

 

 

At RDA I had the opportunity to ride Lucy. My lead was helpful by telling me which way Lucy was going to turn. When Lucy stopped they encouraged me to tap my feet on Lucy’s side to make her move. When she didn’t, I said clearly “Go Lucy”. We went for a walk in Prossers Bush. I love the shadow’s created by the trees in the bush. We met a lady walking her black and white dog and I heard a Tui singing in the trees. I got to two short trots one before going into the bush the next when we exited. Lucy pushed in front of London and went up the hill back to the stables. The sun was shining and I had the best time. Sue helped me dismount lifting my leg back over the saddle. IMG_9

Wow you are awesome

Today was a different kind of Thursday. Soon we were lining up outside Kereru, what was going to happen? As we entered Nevaeh could see the class had been transformed! As soon as the music started the ear protection came off. What a blast! Kokatahi had joined us for a perfomance of the ‘The Grumpiest Child in the World’. Nevaeh was transported into a whole new world for an hour. She sat for the entire performance, tapping her feet, laughing at the jokes, roaring like a lion.

IMG_9808    Video Link

It was  lovely to see her engaging in the performance for an extended amount of time and being part of the wider school community. You are awesome and it was lovely to see you engaged and truely enjoying yourself Nevaeh.

Then after a very quick break it was off to RDA. It seems like since forever since you have seen Lucy. However you remembered all your riding skills. After a walk around the arena getting up close and personal with a small rubber duckie, it was off to Prossers Bush. A quick canter across the grass haad a big smile on your face and you were in your happy place.  Being under the trees was a great way to avoid the rain shower that came just as we were entering the bush. Ollie was in the lead and we foolwed with others behind him. We meet a dog walker on the track and had to keep our feet in as some of the gaps between the trees were quite narrow.

On arrival back at school Nevaeh wanted to find the performers again. She went back to Piwakawaka, walking through the classroom and then went back to Kereru just to make sure our visitors were not there. You have a great memory Nevaeh.

Thank you for sharing your day with me Nevaeh, I had a blast!

 

Shopping

Sam came to visit on Wednesday and Nevaeh went shopping. Sam purchased a bag of lollies at the supermarket for Nevaeh to share with the staff. Nevaeh then bought them back and put them in a bowl, and the on to the table in the staffroom with Olivia’s help. Nevaeh was really engaged in this process and enjoyed the experience.

 

Nevaeh has enjoyed her music lessons and we have put a keyboard into the break out room for her. She is enjoying practising the skills she is learning with Marilyn. We have noticed her engaging her left hand more in these activities.

Go Noodle is a such a favourite and it is great to see Nevaeh joining in a whole class activity. Mum got to watch throught the window today. It is cool to see Nevaeh enjoying herself in a group situation.                                                                                                                                              

Busy days

Last week Nevaeh completed her poetry activity with Olivia. She held her crayon and put pressure on the page to complete this wonderful art.

Nevaeh loves poetry, the rhythm and rhyme are great ways for her absorb new language.

Nevaeh is also working on sorting according to colour and developing fine motor skills with the posting activity that the OT has left for us at school. Her aides extend this sorting activity by counting the coins that Nevaeh successfully posts.

Nevaeh was funny today, she raced back to class on the way to music. Once she got in the door she as happy to Marilyn.  Toward the end of our time Nevaeh lead us in a ‘jam’ session . Marilyn played guitar, Mrs Hickford on the drum and Nevaeh starred on the keyboard.

Check out the link IMG_8780

Back again

It is so nice to see you back at school Nevaeh! We are setting up some new goals for you around participation and engagement. Wednesday saw you going off to the library with Tui. You lined up with the class and waited to go in with the class. You sat beautifully on the mat with Jackie. Well done. It’s nice to see you following the class expectations.  Although you had your headphones on we did need to play any music for you. You did a fantasitc job of just waiting. You were so happy to share the space with your friends.

                                                 

 

 

Nevaeh is loving her RDA book. I think she thinks it is a picture of her on the horse. She goes through the book but then goes back to find the pictures she likes the best.

                                     

 

We have been mixing up your routine and you did really well spending time in Weka. You were a little grumpy that we are springing surprises on you, but quickly settled. It is good for you to be flexible and feel comfortable in a range of spaces. You are really getting the hang of lining up and are beginning to realise that it can mean something exciting is going to happen, even if yu are not sure about what.

 

During physio today Nevaeh was dancing with dolly. She was clearly enjoying her dance with Jackie and had lots to say. Click on the image below to see Nevaeh dancing.

 

Ahh… the joy of music. Nevaeh enjoyed her session with Marilyn. You are getting so much better at sharing with Marilyn. You rested your hand on hers while she played. We didn’t need to turn the keyboard off. Well done you.The you surprised us all by playing with both hands! Awesome work! It is lovely to see both sides of your body working together to make music.

 

A rainy day

No riding today because it is too rainy. We have had a busy day in the sensory room, twirly lights, music, dance, and books galore. Nevaeh is happy. We have had some new activity with sensory toys, listened to new stories such as Nee Naw and The Tiger Who Came for Tea. Exposing Nevaeh to new language and experiences is great for her development.

Last week Nevaeh went on the bus to the school cross country. She loved the ride out to Kokatahi and watched a little bit of the racing before coming back to school. On Tuesday Nevaeh went to visit tbe school dentist in the van. On Wednesday she went back to the van taking Jackie along with her. You have a great memory for experiences Nevaeh.

Tui’s Shantytown Camp

Tui went for a class camp to Shantytown. Nevaeh had a ride on the train, She sat nicely on the seat for the ride, she really enjoyed the sound of the train horn as in blared in the forest. She patiently waited while the other children got off and  walked through the sawmill. Nevaeh was able to explore the displays listening to the audio. She wanted to play the organ in the church. It was an exciting day and occassionally Nevaeh needed a bit of a rest!                                                                   

RDA riding Sandy

Nevaeh loves spending time with Sandy the horse. Nevaeh is getting bean bags from the white bucket, saying the name of the colour before placing the bean bag on the barrel. Nevaeh could say ‘yellow’ while she searched for the yellow bean bag in the bucket. Sandy is being very patient waiting for Nevaeh to finish.