Conductive Education
Step and Learn is a charity dedicated to assisting the physical and educational needs of children with cerebral palsy and other motor disorders. Our aim is to view the child holistically. We educate and motivate the child through play, in order to equip them with the tools that will help them become as independent as possible as they move towards adulthood.
Conductive Education is not a treatment or therapy, but a way of life. Step and Learn look at what a child can do rather than what they can't and aims to help them reach their full potential by using play and other activities as a stimulus to motivate them to keep active whilst learning how to control their movements which will help them in future day-to-day tasks. These movements are taken for granted by abled bodied people!
Step and Learn promotes a setting that is fun and diverse. Children attend our sessions in small groups of 2 or 3 so that our skilled practitioners can develop a tailored program to suit that specific ability group. We teach them to sit, stand, feed themselves etc. Tasks that will make them depend less on others when they are older as they are equipped with the tools that enable them to be more independent. Whilst maintaining the target that each session should have specific activities to incorporate all 5 areas of development recognised by pediatricians; gross motor, fine motor, speech and language, cognitive and intellectual, social and emotional. We acknowledge the children's likes and dislikes and encourage them by whatever means to express their opinions, which are then valued and explored by the practitioners.
Parental Partnerships
Here at Step and Learn Conductive Education Service the emphasis is placed on a partnership between practitioners and parents, we recognise that all parents should be at the forefront of their child’s educational and motor skills development, and acknowledge the crucial role all parents possess to achieve this development through play based activities lead by Step and Learn professionals.
Parental involvement is considered crucial to the child’s learning and development, therefore participation within the programme offered requires a commitment from the whole family.
Step and Learn promotes the importance of transferring skills learnt within the sessions to be used within the home and school environment. To support this transition staff are willing to visit the child’s home and school setting to offer support, guidance and continuity of care.
Our Aims
-
To empower children to achieve and express their needs, wants, likes and dislikes
-
To provide the child and parents with access to a broad and balanced learning environment in-order for them to succeed within their own communities
-
To facilitate the success of the child in community life through the teaching of daily tasks that are essential to the growth of motor, cognitive, social and communication skills
-
To stimulate and motivate the child to problem solve using taught strategies which will benefit the challenges faced within their daily lives
-
To enable parents to take a positive view of their child, to value their uniqueness and to recognise and work with their potential
-
To enable parents to feel valued and able to express their opinions openly and constructively
-
To support families through the provision of parent training which will enable them to independently support their child at home
-
To promote links with regional and local statutory bodies and voluntary provision across the sectors of Health, Education and Social Services
Who might benefit?
Step and Learns' educational programmes can meet the needs of children with:
-
Cerebral palsy or other motor disorders
-
Genetic disorders resulting in motor impairment
-
Motor impairment that results from head injury
How can I access Step and Learn Services
How old do the children need to be to attend?
Tuesday to Friday: 0-5 years old
Saturday club: Over 5 years old
How much will it cost?
We rely on donations and fundraising so we can offer our services free of charge.