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Sensational Kids offers an extensive selection of group programs for your child. Our groups range from playgroups for very young children learning to separate, transition and socialise right through to groups for older school-aged children consolidating their social skills (pragmatics) with their peers. Groups are carefully hand-picked by our group coordinators matching the children's functional levels, communication skills, needs and areas of challenge. Due to this please note that group age ranges are approximate only and dependant on the children who apply each term.
All groups are coordinated by experienced Occupational Therapists & Psychologists/ Social Workers with consults available from our knowledgeable Speech Pathologists. Please refer to individual group summaries for further details.
Our therapeutic playgroups are designed for children aged 2 to 5 years that demonstrate difficulties in social, developmental, language and/or sensory processing skills. The playgroups prepare the child for success in the preschool environment. The children are introduced to a more structured day and play environment through developmentally appropriate fun activities and games.
We incorporate lots of sensory-motor and fun activities into the program. Using a multidisciplinary approach, Developmental Playgroups integrate the philosophies of DIR-Floortime, education, psychology, occupational therapy, and speech therapy into a semi-structured preschool framework. The curriculum is adapted to the group and the individual needs of the child and is assessed on an ongoing basis.
Developmental playgroups aim to enhance your child's skills by encouraging teem to:
- Participate in an environment which is semi-structured
- Say goodbye and separate from you
- Communicate and play cooperatively with peers, using language or non-verbal skills to make their needs and feelings known appropriately
- Connect with other children both verbally and gesturally. This nonverbal communication is crucial to interpersonal relationships.
- Develop large and small muscle skills necessary within the preschool environment
- Attend, follow directions, transition and follow a routine
- Regulate in a group environment
Our purpose-built clinic is filled with sensory rich materials and is designed to improve the sensory, motor and social development of each child. The groups include no more than 4 children and have at least two therapists. This allows for both an intensive and intimate atmosphere that is proven to be effective in facilitating growth. Children who attend these developmental playgroups vary in their challenges. Groups are developed by mixing children with varying strengths and weaknesses. A typical preschool framework is used, including:
- Meet and greet time
- Guided play choices
- Fine motor (such as painting, playdoh, drawing)
- Snack
- Large motor (gym time)
- Farewells
Guided play choices may include sensory motor activities, sensory exploration, fine motor activities, problem solving activities, motor planning activities and symbolic (pretend) play. Activities, toys, and sensory supports are chosen to match the developmental needs of each child. Adaptations are made on an individual basis to ensure the developmental appropriateness of the activities for all of the children.
Throughout the session the children are supported to remain at their highest functional levels. The playgroup staff strive to be sensitive to each child's individual needs, emphasising empathy and facilitating improvement within the child's areas of developmental difficulty. This results in the maintenance of an emotional atmosphere that fosters long periods of attention and regulation, needed to promote learning and overall developmental growth.
Magic Mates is a small, intensive group experience for children aged 3-5 years. The group focusses on the enrichment of social skills, sensorimotor integration, transitioning, attention and following directions and can include fine and gross motor skill development. Magic mates is the perfect group for school readiness and is designed for children in kindergarten and those moving into prep at school.
Kids Connect is a vibrant, fun group for children aged 5-7 years. The group is designed for children who have difficulty with social or general anxiety, social interaction, attention and a poor sense of self. The group focusses on development of self-esteem, friendships, and social confidence in a supportive environment through both structured and unstructured activities.
Kidz Rock is a group designed for older children (aged between 7-10) who have difficulty negotiating social situations. These children may have poor sense of self and may be shy & withdrawn or may have difficulty expressing their feelings in a positive way (including not managing their anger or impulsivity). Kidz Rock is a group that promotes the development of social confidence, the formation of friendships and emotional regulation.
This group is designed specifically with girls in mind! The group focusses on girls (aged 7-10) who may be having difficulty developing friendships, may be shy and withdrawn or may have trouble controlling impulsive reactions and require a positive social experience with their peers.
This is a flexible, dynamic group which provides ongoing support to siblings of children with additional needs. The group is established as a vehicle for the voices of siblings with a focus on fun and connecting with others in similar life situations. The group is held on a monthly basis.
Social dyads are an intensive social skills-based program for children needing more focussed, targeted assistance. The dyad consists of two children matched for approximate age and developmental levels with one therapist (either a Psychologist or Speech Pathologist). The dyad is an unstructured, naturalistic interaction with the therapist guiding and supporting the children to help develop robust social communication skills including sharing, turn-taking, seeing things from other's points of view, use of appropriate social language and gestures and development of friendships. Dyads are great for children who may not yet be ready for larger groups or for those needing the opportunity to consolidate specific skills learnt in one-on-one therapy in a functional, supportive environment. Dyads are organised on an individual basis according to your child's needs. Please speak with your therapist or contact our friendly administration team for further details.
To apply for any of Sensational Kids group programs please complete a 'Group Expression of Interest' form available at reception. This form also details the days and time groups run.
Expressions of interest close at the end of each school term (for exact dates please contact us).
Once expressions of interests are received you will be sent an 'Enrolment Pack' detailing exact dates and costs for each group. If you are unsure of which group your child is suitable for please either speak with your therapist or contact the Groups Coordinator to discuss in more detail.
Please ensure you send back your group enrolment form as quickly as possible as groups fill quickly! Enrolment packs will include information about the day enrolment opens. Your place is secured once the deposit (detailed in the enrolment pack) is received.
Consent packs are sent our prior to groups starting with all relevant information pertaining to your group.
If your child does not already attend Sensational Kids for therapy we will need to meet you and your child before the enrolment process begins to ensure your child is:
- Suitable for groups
- Placed in the most appropriate group.
Please contact Administration to book with one of our Psychologists for a 'Group Initial' session.
You can pay for groups using the following options:
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