What is BUILDING BLOCKS®?
| Home-Based
Programs | Centre-Based
Programs
BUILDING BLOCKS®
Home-Based Program (Early Play Program and Building Skills)
Fortnightly home visits
Cost: $200 per term
Duration: 2 hours per fortnightly session
Commences: February
and concludes in December, 20007
On commencement of the home-based program, each child's skills are assessed
using a number of specifically designed checklists and questionnaires.
A comprehensive individualised program is designed for each child in
conjunction with parents and other professionals involved in the child's
program. There is an emphasis on training and supporting parents to work
effectively with their children effectively through play and natural
routines. Visits are made to the pre-school or day care setting in order
to observe the child, provide strategies to staff and support generalisation
of skills. These inclusion support visits are made in place of home visits
as required.
Major areas of focus include:
- Assisting parents to manage their children's behaviour in a positive manner
- Teaching functional communication skills
- Enhancing social development
- Extending attending and play skills
- Addressing sensory processing issues
- Developing self help skills e.g. independent toileting
- Implementing visual communication supports
- Improving fine and gross motor skills
- Pre-academic skill development
BUILDING BLOCKS®
Centre-Based Programs
Weekly Groups for Children and their Families
Cost: $150 per term Duration: 2 hours per weekly session
Commences: February
and concludes in December, 2007.
BUILDING
BLOCKS®
centre-based programs are delivered in partnership with local
agencies across Sydney.
Current Locations:
-
Miller (Miller Community Pre-school)
-
Leumeah (Macarthur Early Childhood Intervention Service)
-
South Hurstville (Koala Play Group)
-
Ashfield (The Infants' Home)
-
Toongabbie (Westmead Children's Hospital)
-
North Ryde (Macquarie
University)
BUILDING
BLOCKS ® Early Intervention
Centre-based Group Program (Starting Blocks™)
The Starting Blocks™ Programs are centre-based
playgroups with con-current parent support and training groups
currently available to children in most areas of Sydney.
Child Playgroup Component
Children participate in a condensed preschool program that includes morning tea, indoor play activities, group time and outdoor play. The program aims to:
- Prepare children for their successful integration into regular preschool settings;
- Introduce children to a variety of play activities from different curriculum areas;
- Teach children social play skills including sharing and turn taking and provide opportunities for them to interact socially with other children;
- Develop children's functional communication skills;
- Introduce children to visual supports to augment their communication and assist their learning of new concepts;
- Promote children's participation in small group activities.
Each child's emerging skills are observed and regularly recorded so that individual programs may be formulated to include structured goals and objectives based on individual and family needs. Parents are provided with feedback each term in the form of regular meetings, progress reports and evaluation of the individual goals and objectives.
Parent Training and Support Group Component
The parent support group operates concurrently with the playgroup and provides parents with an opportunity to meet with other parents and professionals to discuss a range of relevant topics. Advice, support and information are available to families as well as an opportunity to relax and chat informally with other parents. Topics are chosen according to individual interests and needs and may include discussion on positive behaviour support, communication, self-help issues, school options, specialist services and sensory issues. Parents are also encouraged to share information, concerns and triumphs as they form a support network with families who may be experiencing similar difficulties.
Last updated May 2007
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