New playgroup for special needs kids

The Parent Support Group that I'm in has recently set up a new playgroup, which will start next month.

It's focusing on special needs kids who aren't at the moment attending any other playgroup. The reason behind that is because they wish to reach out to more people, people who do not currently have access to early intervention and support.

They do not have paper qualification for early intervention nor claim to be early intervention specialists.

They do however, have experience with special needs kids as most of them are themselves parents of special needs kids. They do also genuinely have a love for and desire to help special needs kids.

One of the parent there is Montessori trained and used to own/run a kindergarten but stopped to care for her special child. I have found that a lot of Montessori methods is useful for special needs kids - their way of teaching one thing at a time; their sensorial approach; their catering to the speed/progress of the child; their fine motor activities help self care skill development etc.

At least one parent is required to attend the playgroup with the child. I think in that way, the parent can learn a lot of activities to be replicated at home for the benefit of the child. Also, it's a good opportunity for the parent to meet other parents of special needs kids as this journey can be quite lonely.

Further details of the playgroup are as follows:

Date : 6 July 2011 (Wednesday)

Time : 9.30 am – 11.30 pm
Venue : Level 4, Wisma FGA
11 Jalan Peria, Taman Goodwood,
Jalan Kuchai Lama, Off Jalan Kelang Lama,
58200 Kuala Lumpur
Play Group provides some affordable form of early intervention in basic education and living skills for special needs children, ages 4-6.

Activities include story-telling, music and movement, educational computer programs, art & craft, gross motor skills, individual skill building and group games.

Parents are required to attend with their children.