The Program "Healthy Lifestyle"

The Project "Territory Z"

In September, actively started a new project "Territory Z” (Z from the Russian word ‘Zdorovje’ which means ‘health)." In all schools which were chosen (three schools) we made the presentations about the project, have selected classes, in which we would work. Teachers showed great interest in the proposed project. Primary school teachers expressed the wish that our next project covered also the primary school. In general, schools are positive about our joint project.

This month, the project has already started with the work of a therapeutic group (so called Balint’s group) for teachers. The aim of the work is the prevention of professional burnout, improving communication skills in dealing with pupils and their parents. Teachers actively participated in the analysis of the individual case, quickly understood how to use the algorithm in an analyses of a case. Feedback has been positive. The total number of teachers who took part in a group was 7.

The "Kangaroo" Program

During the month, 13 families attended the "Kangaroo" program.

The program began to visit a new girl Z. (3.5 years old).

We would like to thank our entire team of students volunteers who actively participated in the life of our Center. We are grateful for the didactic material which they made to develop different skills of our children.

We continue to experiment with different materials at our workshops. It helps to create or to develop new skills.  Children and parents enjoyed crafts from acorns, flowers from plastic tubes, as well as geometric shapes made from matches. These classes also help to the development of fine motor skills.

Every morning we started with a study of the world in a playful way. We are watching the weather, try to remember what time of year, what month, what day of the week. Through systematic studies children become more observant.

We also continue to carry out morning exercises and cycling in the fresh air. In addition to the physical and mental development physical activities are very positive to build a character.

Of great interest is the work with a kinetic sand.  Continue to have classes with music therapist, and speech therapist.

We again were visited by our friend’s clowns and we continue to use the swimming pool once a week.

Separately we want to thank CF "Zaporizhzhya vector" for the purchase of snow-white ware, much needed in everyday life, as well as the supermarket “ATB” for delicious cookies.

This month we have twice visited classes in hippo therapy. Thanks to our sponsors - the shopping center "Auchan", we were able to drive not only on the pony Batyr, but also on horseback Cardinale. The children were delighted, and no one was afraid of a big horse.

This month, our staff made a presentation and video on student international video conference at Glukhovski national pedagogical institute.  The topic of the conference "Theory and practice of social therapy techniques in working with children with special needs."

Also this month held a parent-teacher’s meeting where organizational matters were discussed. The event was attended by guests from the boarding school "Dzherelo". A psychologist shared experiences of her work at a boarding school with Down syndrome children. And recreational therapist of our program "Kangaroo", made a presentation and video about the new sports activities we do here. The meeting was held in a very positive atmosphere and ended with applauses.

The Project "I am Beautiful!"

We continue to run the project "I am beautiful!" for women of the social and psychological rehabilitation centre. Four sessions were held in September. The questions which were raised covered the topics how to dress up and wear makeup in old age. We also discuss how to improve the self-esteem and develop positive thinking skills. There is a great interest is all the topics. All participants are happy to take part in the discussion and actively carry out the tasks and exercises. There is a dynamic process in a group, the group becomes more cohesive, forming respect to the viewpoint of the other person. It's nice that people experience joy in the classroom. The number of attending is 15 people.

Juvenile Justice Program «We are Just Like You!»

In September, we had so much fun working at the detention centre: such active and creative Uni students we have not had for a long time.  This time, our volunteers were students of social pedagogue program (first-year students). Pupils from the detention centre have been very pleased to compete with the students in running, enjoyed to play football and the rise-coup on the crossbar. And all this was during one visit!

The children tried very hard to win in everything, and the students strongly supported them in this. Already at the first meeting, students were able to become friends with teens and to establish excellent relationship. The head of our program, Sergei Bulatov was pleasantly surprised by the professionalism of the students and their desire to work.

Participation in seminars, conferences

This month, we took part in the round table "The issues of rehabilitation of disabled children with autism". The discussion was around the cooperation between the various organizations working with children with autistic disorders.

Work with foreign specialists

 Center "Florence" was visited by delegation from Canada. We discussed issues of cooperation, as well as our new project "I am beautiful" and a continuation of the group for parents with autistic children.