Suggestions from Companions for your

Transcription

1 Suggestions from Companions for your

2 Party at a local cafe Students from Tomaree Education Centre often celebrate the completion of their 8 weeks at a local café where they are treated to a special Seasons for Growth breakfast, which is always a very special way to celebrate what they had learnt and to bring the group to a close. It is also a great opportunity to engage the local community. Idea from Penny Blyth Relish Cafe & Catering Seasons for Growth Program Breakfast menu 14th November 2011 Mini Dutch Pancakes With ice-cream and a choice of maple syrup, chocolate, strawberry, caramel topping Drinks Milkshakes (Chocolate/Strawberry/Caramel/Vanilla/Banana/Lime) Ice Chocolate/Ice coffee Juices (apple/orange) Tea/Coffee Congratulations on completing your Seasons for Growth Program From the Team at Relish

3 Gift Ideas rugs Many companions have given children the gift of a wrap/blanket/scarf etc that have been lovingly made by volunteers in their local community. Children are greatly touched to learn that someone they don t know has created the gift for them. Kids feedback: To lady s, Thank you for my rug I am so grateful. I sleep with it all the time and I look after it as my best friend. I cuddle it when I m sad and angry. It is so soft. It must of took a long time so I will look after it for a long time. Thank You. I think seasons is a great way for solving problems with your life and learning that I am not the only one having problems with my life. The love rug is a great thing for when I am having trobles I just hold the blanket to feel good again. Thank you for knitting this rug for me. Thank you for my love rug that is on my bed to keep me wallm. Thank you for making our Seasons Love Rugs. To Ladys. Thank you for my rug I am really thankful I cuddle it when Im angry or sad.

4 Gift Ideas journal Participants were presented with a journal as a gift at their celebration week. Each journal was individualised on the first page with strengths stickers (from St Luke s Innovative Resources) which highlighted qualities that both the Companion and their peers saw in them (eg. tolerant, committed, honest etc). During difficult times they were encouraged to reflect back on the strengths that others see in them. Janelle Tolley

5 Gift Ideas Flexible people (reinforces Summer choices) Playdough (reinforces that the children can be the boss of their feelings) Gold chocolate coins (reinforces the message that the children are unique, special and precious) Clickety clack frog (reinforces Summer choices) The gifts were presented in a gift bag Ideas from Doreen Abrahamse

6 Molly s Memory Jar Companion Gae Fishlock suggest that Molly s Memory Jar is a great book to read to children in the last session. During the celebration Gae gives the children a bag of feel good goodies. One of the things she found valuable to put into the bag was a jar of coloured stones. Gae says that this is a very inexpensive idea and ties in beautifully with the program. The celebration, as always is held straight after the last session so the children know exactly how they can use the stones. See below for a picture of the jars and book. (All the materials were purchased from the Reject Shop.) The story is also suitable for use in the Spring session on memories. It can then be tied in again in the celebration through the gift of a jar of coloured stones. Another Companion gave the students a jar partly filled with stones at the celebration and as an activity asked the children to choose another stone from the pile to represent a happy memory ; a fun time they had in Seasons for Growth, a favourite thing they like to do etc. Each stone was placed in the jar and children were encouraged to put their jar somewhere special at home as a reminder of their happy times.

7 1. Cut out square. Clik Clak Choices 2. With print down on table, fold corners to centre. 3. Turn over and fold corners to centre again. 4. Fold along one edge (so numbers are hidden when folded). 5. Open out again and fold other sides together (again so numbers are hidden when folded). 6. Open out again. Most kids know how to use these. Vanessa Petersen This fun activity helps children practice choices and the messages that are revealed are affirming for the children. Messages say You are the boss of your feelings 2. Keep precious memories in your heart 3. Good choices help us feel happy 4. Friends and family can help when we are sad 5. We all grow and change 6. We learn from each other 7. You are terrific and special 8. We all have feelings and they are OK.

8 Certificates Children love to receive a certificate from the Companion at the completion of the program. A great Idea from Companion Robyn Hunter is to laminate the activity My friends from Seasons for Growth think I am special because... (level 2 Page 24) This activity affirms the children and the affirmation can then be taken home and displayed as a reminder to them of their experience in Seasons for Growth.

9 Table decoration Photo from Diane and Gabriel from Belmont Public school