Projects

Rhythm & Rhyme for Out of School Groups in Moray

This exciting, innovative project is funded by the Scottish Community Foundationand is being delivered in the form of 4 one hour active play workshops per year to up to 20 Out of School Groups in Moray over a two year period.

The project aims:

• To bring new musical and activity opportunities to clubs in Moray and Speyside.
• Re-introduce traditional ‘street’ and playground games that have been lost over the last few years.
• Strengthen respect and relationships between adults and children
• Develop a fun activity programme based on the children’s personal preferences from the range offered including extended music, play and dance.
• Increase physical activities for children reducing the risk of obesity.
• Skill up and build confidence in out of school care staff.
• Develop a CD and support materials to accompany and support the workshop.
• Plan and deliver an annual gala involving children, staff and parents. 
 

The project is delivered by Lilian Ross, a well known traditional singer, storyteller and writer who has a wealth of experience in working with children of various ages across the Highlands.

Starting in February 2008, the style of delivery has evolved to become a very child led process – children and staff discuss what they would like to do in their workshops and mind map their plan of ideas and suggestions and carry out  a review at the end of each workshop. To date some 134 children aged 4 – 12 years and 33 staff from 12 groups have participated in the project, with a further 4 groups scheduled for delivery by November. 

Activities to date have included traditional ‘street’ games with rhymes, skipping and ball games, rap, beat box, percussion, hula hoops, rhythmical parachute play, song writing, street dance, recording sounds, story telling, dance and rhythmical movement.

This year’s work will culminate in a Rhythm & Rhyme Gala to be held in the Spring - date and venue to be announced. The Gala will be free and open to all and will showcase children and staff from each group who will be invited to perform their favourite songs, rhymes, games or dance from the project.

The process will be repeated in year 2 to build on the progress made in the first year. Of children involved to date, over two thirds have expressed an interest in being involved in compiling a Rhythm & Rhyme CD – when completed, this CD will be gifted to each group to help sustain the continuation of Rhythm & Rhyme activities after the end of the project.

The project not only benefits children -  participating staff receive a CALA training
certificate and direct links are made with the CALA Out of School Quality Assurance Programme. Staff feedback to date includes:

“I think the sessions have been very good, the children and I have thoroughly enjoyed them and the coach was very nice and very helpful.”

“We will keep using all the games to improve our after school club.”

“The children liked doing the activities with Lilian and talked about it after she had gone.”

“It was great to have some fresh ideas!”

“Really enjoyed R & R and intend to keep it going.”

1st October 2008

Crossing Borders Project

This exciting project is being delivered by CALA in partnership with Highland Council Childcare Partnership. 

Kasia Boesche, the Bi-Lingual Family Transition Co-ordinator appointed in August 2008,  has been very busy.   She has been supporting parents and children within parent and toddler groups, pre-school education centres and daycare centres within Inverness and the surrounding area.  This support varies from simply providing a listening ear to families' problems relating to early years health and childcare services, helping to bridge any understanding that may arise, translating information or acting as an interpreter working alongside other childcare and health professionals.

Kasia has also being working with Julia Nelson - Health Development Officer - Early Years - translating Play@Home training cards into Polish.   Kasia has also been invited by Health Visitors to support Polish 'new mums' attending the Breast Feeding Project each  Wednesday.

Evaluated questionnaires from parents highlighted how beneficial the service is to the Polish community.  Staff questionnaires are now being reviewed and from those seeking Kasia's assistance.   Next step - children's views.

November 2009