Classroom Assistant - My Experiences and Journey ‘Raising the Bar’ Becky Griffiths Classroom Assistant - My Experiences and Journey

Megan Baker House Based in the Herefordshire countryside Children 50 weekly 30 block/holiday club Beneficiaries: Cerebral Palsy, Dyspraxia, Head Injury Adults Beneficiaries: Cerebral Palsy, Parkinsons Disease, Stroke

Classroom Assistant Course National Institute of Conductive Education (NICE), Birmingham Part time 8 Modules – 3 core units Assignments/Observations Level 3 ‘Classroom Assistant’ qualification

Why was I put on the course? Continual professional development Better my knowledge, theory and practice Support conductors Gain my level 3 ‘conductor assistant’ qualification

Learning and experiences Introduction to Conductive Education Cerebral palsy as a problem of learning Conductive Observation Facilitation and the facilitators role

Learning and Experiences: Introduction to Conductive Education History: Where it all started and where it is now! Main Features of Conductive Education The conductor The group The task series The daily routine Observation Facilitation Rhythmical intention Assignment

Cerebral Palsy as a problem for learning Different types of Cerebral Palsy How the brain and body are affected No two children are the same ‘Technical Lingo’ Athetosis and Ataxia? Assignment

Conductive Observation Misconception that Observation is just ‘looking’ Operative, Progressive & Comparative – On-going! Difficult to observe all children at once–teamwork! What to look out for: Motivated? Body language/facial expressions? Did they initiate their movements? Why/Why not? Link to facilitation Practical

Facilitation and the facilitators role Misconception that all facilitation is ‘hands on’ Educational, Psychological & Physiological Workshop – looking at photos and evaluating Assignment – Academic and Practical

Would I recommend the course? Confidence! Delivery of the course – Build up of modules! Practical learning! Videos, Photos, Workshops! Assessments/Assignments – Reading! Participants on the course

Conclusion ‘Jigsaw’ effect Looking forward to the last 4 modules: Purpose of the task series Application of skills: Self-care Application of skills: Transferring from one place to another Purpose of the daily routine! Dyspraxia?

Thank you for listening and enjoy the rest of your day! Any questions? Email: becky@meganbakerhouse.org.uk Thank you for listening and enjoy the rest of your day!