As some of you may be aware I currently work within SEN and mainstream settings across various boroughs for children with PMLD, severe autism and challenging behaviours.
Now that we have Donna on board the Simply train I am writing to various SEN settings in the hope of getting our sessions available to a wider audience.
Our wonderful classes have proven very successful and have helped children reach targets they are incapable of meeting in other areas of the curriculum.
Music and movement tends to be one of the top motivators for children with special needs, it’s a fun and motivating way to connect with the children and helps them develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.
For many of the children we work with, words fail them daily. Either they can’t get the words out or can’t process the words coming in. When we connect with each other and express ourselves without words, it feels more powerful and effective than spoken language.
Here at Simply Lizzie we believe that this type of therapy and interaction is a huge relief for children with special needs.
We are offering tailor-made classes to suit the children attending the sessions.
It has been proven that learning through music and movement has a huge amount of benefits.
- The development of co-ordination, strength, stamina, flexibility and mobility
- Development of physical confidence and control
- Understanding of how the body works
- Maintaining general health and fitness
- Enjoyment in moving
- Kinaesthetic awareness, physical literacy
- Development of observational perceptual skills, the ability to make informed and critical judgements
- Experience of communicating with others
- Development of confidence and self-esteem through achievement
- Learning to learn
- Enhancement of memory through physical patterning and repetition
- Development of verbal and non-verbal communication
- Development of skills in problem-solving
- Opportunities to improve own learning and performance
The main focus of a movement & music session with SEN students is to:
- promote expression of emotion, breaking the withdrawal symptoms and engaging with others
- increasing interpersonal bonding and communication
- recognising, associating and responding to others
- increasing eye contact
- participating in group activities and promote socialisation and increasing shared focus
- learning through mirroring
- developing trust.
We are keen to introduce our sessions into more schools and would love to hear from anyone who is interested.
Email: simplylizzie@hotmail.co.uk