Wee Care's NEW Kidz’ Club

 

More and more, there is an increasing awareness that the incidence of Autistic Spectrum Disorder is growing in Singapore and around the world. In response, a wide range of effective treatment methods has also emerged, of which Social Skills Training is recognized to be an important component of overall efforts in early intervention and normalization.

Sadly however, children with special needs tend to lack typical peers to play with, and from whom they could learn important social skills. Normal children, in response, may get frustrated after initial efforts to “connect” with a special child get rebuffed or rejected. Once initial difficulties at establishing a friendship are overcome though, normal children derive considerable benefits from playing with a special child. They learn to exercise greater levels of empathy and compassion; they learn to look beyond themselves, to take the perspective of their playmate and understand his/her needs. In this way, the normal child can learn important Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Skills in Perspective-Taking, Impulse-Control, Perseverance, etc.

Since 2001, Wee Care has mainstreamed special children into its early childhood and pre-school programmes. It aims to incorporate the expertise and knowledge acquired from these years of experience into the new Kidz’ Club. In many ways, the Club, with its social aims and activities, will be a natural extension of Wee Care’s educational goals, where “every child is important” and where learning can and must be holistic. At Wee Care, Play and Experience play important roles in equipping a child with both head - and heart - knowledge.

* If your child has additional learning requirements, please contact Wee Care’s Senior Therapists Zahrin (zahrin@weecare.com.sg) or Natalia (natalia@weecare.com.sg) to obtain a list of the prerequisite skills that your child must have in order to derive maximum benefit from this programme.

* If you have a normal child aged between 2 to 12 years whom you think could benefit from participating in the Kidz’ Club, please contact Mrs Denise Lai at weecare@singnet.com.sg as soon as possible. Children who participate as Play Buddies will receive training prior to being matched with a special friend. He or She will also be awarded with a Certificate of Participation (and a Testimonial!) upon successful completion of every Term of sessions. Minimum Participation is once a week, in the afternoons, for approximately 2 hours per time.

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For more information on the Bright Starts Programme for ages 2-4yo, please visit our website at www.weecare.com.sg.