Preparation for life is a really exciting programme for all pupils from Year 8 to Year 11. These therapy led days focus on functional daily skills and are delivered throughout the school year by the Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language therapy teams.
Themes that have been covered this year are food preparation, housekeeping, travel training, self-care, emergencies, money management etc. Each theme is revisited on a yearly basis and pupils are given the opportunity to engage in tasks with increasing levels of difficulty.
The sessions aim to develop self-awareness, develop confidence and improve our pupils’ overall independence in various day to day tasks through breaking down a specific functional task into process, motor and communication skills.
By taking part in the set tasks pupils also work on their executive functioning including planning, organisation, time management, working memory, self-control, flexibility and perseverance.
Food Preparation
Pupils make a variety of meals like pizza, pasta and sauce, chicken curry and rice etc. They work on using a variety of tools safely, following recipes and cleaning after themselves.
Travel Training
The pupils plan out a route using specific modes of transport to get to parks, museums etc. They travel in supervised small groups and are given the opportunity to make mistakes safely and deal with changing travel plans or social situations on public transport.
Housekeeping
Pupils play sensory games and do crafts to create a messy environment. They are then shown a how to use a variety of cleaning tools safely for example using a dustpan and brush, disinfectant sprays, brooms, vacuum cleaners etc.
Money Management and Budgeting
Pupils do a variety of jobs around the school to earn money like washing cars, cleaning classrooms or running PE games with younger pupils. They can then spend it at a shop or use the money to plan a party at the end of term. Older pupils work in small teams to take part in a “Dragon’s den” task to present “new play time clubs” with a set budget spend.
First Aid and Emergencies
Pupils get the opportunity to role play a variety of emergency situations. They also practise CPR, treating a cut and a burn, putting someone in the recovery position and how to identify feeling unwell in their own bodies.
Self Care
Pupils engage in tasks like teeth brushing, flossing, using deodorant and applying sunscreen. They also practise using the chemist and disclosing relevant medical information.
