This class is appropriate for children who struggle with aspects of social participation (i.e.conversation skills, transitions, flexibility, dealing with winning/losing and compromising). This group will also target understanding and/or dealing with emotions for those children who experience difficulties with self-soothing, coping, as well as those children who struggle with identifying emotions in themselves as well as others. This group is appropriate for children who struggle with high functioning autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing difficulties, as well as children who just need to improve social participation skills and/or emotional regulation skills. Please contact Marci at the New Britain YMCA at 860-229-3787 or Missy Olson, Pediatric Occupational Therapist at 860-798-8638 for more information.
This 45 minute group will include a short activity to promote healthy eating habits followed by a gross motor movement group set to music to encourage exercise, coordination, cooperation, and most of all FUN!
Arts and crafts have long been a medium for children to express themselves and to develop skills (i.e. hand skills, coordination, visual skills, and creativity). Themed art projects will have your children engaged in meaningful tasks with a fun trinket to take home. Embedded into this group will be opportunities for sharing, turn taking, cooperation, and communication. A great group for your little artists.
If your child has a desire to participate in organized sports, but struggles with motor planning, coordination, strength or all of these, this group is designed to help. Our 45 minute sporty kids group will incorporate strength, endurance, and cardiovascular activities with skill practice for improved participation in organized sports. This is a 4:1 ratio class. Child must be able to follow directions with minimal prompting, be easily redirected and display no negative behaviors.
Our dynamic music therapy services will allow the children the opportunity to express themselves through musical play and social interaction in a safe, nonthreatening environment. Our board certified music therapist will design and implement music sessions in small group settings that are tailored meet the needs of the children. Within the structure of the sessions, the music will address the development of behavioral, social, psychological, communicative, physical, sensory-motor, and/or cognitive functioning. In each session, the children will play instruments, sing songs and learn through both structured and improvisational activities. Similar to other well-established health services, music therapy strives to foster the development of skills that will generalize into their daily lives.
