Involving Parents in the Learning Process
In the month of August alone, the Blocks for Growth team conducted 459 group therapy sessions and 93 parents came to observe their children participate in these small group interventions.
Led by occupational therapists, the programme helps children who are behind in their developmental milestones to get back on track and ready for Grade R.
The Blocks for Growth team usually conduct therapy sessions twice a week in each of the 26 ECD facilities they operate in. During parent observations, parents are invited to watch a session. Involving parents in the process helps them understand what is expected of their child and how they can encourage further learning. It also helps to improve their understanding of playful learning, and the preferred style of learning for their child. The sessions provide context for the parents on the homework that gets sent home and often this prompts the parents to become more involved with their child’s learning.
Parent testimonials:
“The time I spent with J doing his homework has also improved my relationship with him. He is now the middle child with a new arrival and it opened up my eyes to the emotional upheaval he has been going through. I now have a better sense of how to read him and how to approach him as he can be very closed off at times.”
“Baie dankie vir die goeie werk ek waardeer dit, jy werk baie goed saam met die kinders.”
Translated: Thank you so much for the good work, I appreciate it. You work very well with the children.
“The observation session today was fantastic”
