Tag: RDA

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 Thursday Surprise!

It was a great start to the morning with Nevaeh sitting on the mat waiting for her name on the roll. We used the button to say good morning to Mrs Fearn. ‘Go Noodle” is a great way to start the day with ‘Pop See Ko’. The black shadows on the screen had Nevaeh up close and engaged.

Our next stop was the sensory room for a story. Nevaeh chose Hairy Mcleary’s Bone. She turned the pages beautifully, waiting for the last line before reaching for the book. We timed our walk to music perfectly. We met Evelyn at the door. It was a special treat to have Julie Wylie join us for our session. To calm before RDA, we went for a walk in the playground. After packing the car we were off.

We parked at the lower level of RDA and walked up the hill. Nevaeh was less than patient when we had to wait for another horse to be saddled up. So off for another walk until Sue was ready for us to mount up.

You showed us you wanted to trot today by bouncing in the saddle. The smaller saddle meant you sat up tall. As we walked to Prossers Bush you reached out for the branches on the right side of the track. Lucy, the horse, came so close to the trees Mrs Hickford was worried you were going to get bumped off. We had a trot on the grass and some quick walking in the arena before giving Lucy a nice pat after dismounting.

 

A busy day

We took advantage of a fine sunny day and packed in a lot of outside activities. During our morning routine, we joined the class sitting on the mat, and then there was our daily Go Noodle. Nevaeh had a dance, and then we made our way over to music with Marilyn.

Nevaeh spread the fingers on her left hand. She attempted to touch just one key with her left thumb. At times we heard a lovely rendition of ‘Chopsticks”. This is a new tune from Nevaeh, I wonder where you heard this before.

After music we enjoyed the sunshine, bouncing on the new half-court and chasing our shadows. Our interest was then caught by the men working, cleaning up the trees, on the grass. The vehicles needed to be inspected, especially the white ute.

It was then back to the sensory room for some sorting and investigating objects above, below, left and right of an object that does not move. We are working on this to help Nevaeh navigate her Talker.

Next, it was off to RDA. Today we rode Lucy. Lucy wasn’t in a good mood. Lucy kept stopping, and would not move forward when we told her to move on. It was a lovely walk through Prossers Bush. Sam joined us and helped us with mounting and dismounting, by observing Nevaeh’s behaviour on the horse. Nevaeh did a great job of holding the front of the saddle during our walk in the bush. At times, she reached for the tree. We will need to keep our eyes peeled.

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

Fun day Thursday

Lots of changes today but Nevaeh coped well, firstly there was a surprise to see Olivia today. After our roll and Go-Noodle in class there was some counting and then we went off to do our dancing. Mrs Hickford’s moves are not as good as Jackie’s, sheneeds to break out her dancing shoes.

After a quick sensory break we were off to music with Marilyn. Olivia got to take Nevaeh today. Nevaeh loves her session which included playing with her left and right hand together. WIth her right hand, fingers one and two, Nevaeh played some notes with Marilyn. Twinkle Twinkle featured as always, Kangaroo Kangaroo, Old Mac Donald and Wake up Charlie. We then introduced Hello Finger One and Hello Finger Two. Row Row featured along with Are You Sleeping. Nevaeh’s left hand played Ding, ding, dong.  We finished up with COloours of Sunshine.

Then it was offto RDA in a blue car… well that was a change. Nevaeh climbed in and out without assistance, great stuff Nevaeh! It is easier when the car is a bit lower. The new belt worked a treat allowing Nevaeh to concentrate. She held on to the front of the saddle for short lengths of time. Good girl.. I feel much happier knowing you are hanging on! Nevaeh showed a lot of interest in her right hand today, holding it up. She was wiggling her fingers independently in the sunshine. She also showed interest in a blue star that we gave her to distract her from hitting out.

First RDA for 2023

We needed to go to RDA at the racecourse today,  as they have started building the indoor arena. We will be at the racecourse for terms 1 and 2.

Nevaeh was being impatient,  as we needed to wait for the horses to come over from the stables, but once she was on Sandy and moving,  she became her happy self.
                                                                                                      
Our usual RDA lady, Maryann, was away today, so we had Nicole,  who did a great job.