For therapy, training, advice and support call us on 01684 576795 or email:admin@arcos.org.uk
Messy Play
There is no right or wrong way to do messy play; children of all abilities can use materials in their own way and still be part of the group.
Children learning English as a second language can join in too as messy play does not rely on words. Messy play offers many opportunities for learning:
Physical Development
- Activities such as stacking, pouring and spooning develop hand-eye coordination.
- Practising cutting, writing in shaving cream and using tongs develops fine motor skills.
- Hands-on activities allow children to compare textures i.e. smooth, rough, hard and soft.
- Children gain an understanding of their own body space.
Communication and Language Development
- Using words and gestures to share resources; explain actions and take turns.
- The teacher/caregiver asking open-ended questions encourages thinking skills and narrative skills for storytelling.
- The use of letters in activities promotes an understanding of written language.
Personal, Emotional and Social Development
- Building self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Developing concentration, problem-solving and planning.
- Fostering self-respect and respect for others.
- Presenting opportunities for making friendships.
- Offering an outlet for feelings, experiences and thoughts.
Intellectual Development
- Children will investigate, explore, design and create, leading to a better understanding of the world around them.
- Children will learn to group, classify and arrange items in a logical order. They can identify, match and understand cause and effect.
- They can predict and try out solutions; observing the results and evaluating information gaining a greater understanding of the scientific method.
Mathematical Development
- Counting, calculating and measurement.
- Sorting objects, filling containers and creating patterns.
- Using numbers helps children understand their meaning.
Creative Development
An opportunity for imagination and creativity.
Through sensory experiences, children are able to respond to what they see, hear, feel, touch and smell.
Children can express their feelings and thoughts through colour, texture and shapes.
SESSION CHARGES
All children’s therapy sessions are currently grant-funded however as you can appreciate, this may not be the case always and standard session charges are as follow:
1-hour individual sessions – £15
Full-day group sessions (5-15 children) – £50
Oliver's Story
Life before the children’s therapy that ARCOS has provided was very hard for Oliver and me. He struggled with so many things, hated change with a passion, and hardly ever wanted attention or cuddles…
“The silence of speechlessness is never golden. We all need to communicate and connect with each other – not just in one way, but also in as many ways as possible. It is a basic human need, a basic human right. And much more than this, it’s a basic human power.’
Williams, 2000