Playful Events

Fidelma has been leading the Spring 2023 'Connected Parent Connected Child'

 Programme' for parents hosted by Heart Children  

Here's what is being said by one parent about the programme in the March 2023 Newsletter

 'I’m doing this programme with my middle child (age 4 & 3mths) who has autism and not our heart child who is 2.5yrs old.
 

 I gave our time together a name "square time". He LOVES square time and asks to do it throughout the day; he begins early in the morning en-route to school by asking if we can do it after school (he dislikes preschool, a lot, there are tears and pleads to stay at home every day) and he loves the fact that he gets this special time with mam by himself most days.

 I have found this 10-15 minutes of, uninterrupted play has made a huge difference to his overall mood for the remainder of the day but also it has actually given the whole family a more positive experience as there are not as many tantrums / melt-downs and he tends to be in more positive form following our play sessions. I have learned that my child is craving continuous   reassurance in all that he does even during our play sessions.
 

 I also have learned a lot about myself as a mother - I find it very hard to be present and enjoy the moment (I think this stems from the trauma around my youngest son’s Complex CHD diagnosis) but my mind is always racing thinking of what still has to be done so I often do not give 100% to the activities that I am doing with the children; (this made me feel guilty - the good old mom guilt), I also found that the break away from my phone (calls, messages,   emails, notifications) was soooo enjoyable and it's something I would like to explore more putting the phone into a basket so I am more present and not always available to the phone calls.
 

 So, at present I'm on leave from work and do not have childcare so I find it challenging the feeling of neglecting one or two of the children to allow us do our play sessions. I try to get organised prior by placing out snacks, setting up an activity or putting on the tv (that's where the guilt comes in) but then when I stand back from it I have realised that by investing 10-15mins daily into my son's play, everyone has more meaningful engagements and experiences as a result.
 

 Thank you as your programme has definitely improved our quality of life, the extent of which I did not really anticipate'.

A process of self-discovery can emerge through play

 It is mainly though play that children learn about their world and how things work

Play promotes relational development, not only in the child, but in the parent as well