Starting our blog this week off with a visit to see animals. Is this learning? Absolutely, young people learning about different animals, their habitat, their feeding, using their reading skills and verbal communication. Visiting animals in a zoo or sanctuary helps to foster cognitive development, promote empathy and compassion. This is done though observation, reading and conversation. Learning comes from everywhere around us, not just sitting in a classroom looking at a whiteboard!
And there is always time for some blue ice-cream too!
Over in Newmarket this week a project to build a bench using Resin and beautiful Elm Driftwood which is being sanded down. Our young person was learning skills using a Sander and Angle Grinder to clear off dead wood. We are looking forward to seeing how this project comes along in the coming weeks.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! one of our young people enjoyed a birthday present this week.
OOH LOVELY CUP OF TEA!
Making a cup of tea is that really a life skill? Yes of course it is. Many of our young people have not learned basic life skills that others have had the opportunity to. What skills does this teach a young person? Listening (taking the tea order), Understanding (following instructions), Fine Motor Skills (pouring water and milk/stirring), Being Kind (doing something nice for others).
English & Behaviour Lessons in Argos! Yup, lets think this one picture shows a Young Person: reading, typing and searching using modern technology. It is helping to also build self-esteem and independence skills. Learning how to talk and behave in a community environment.
As always we love to do a bit of cooking – such a great life skill. Here our Young Person was learning how to cook Carbonara. Apparently the first batch didn’t go too well with a bit of curdling, but the second batch was perfect! Learning that it does not always go right the first time, is a massive life lesson – to realise its not always perfect, but keep trying and you will succeed. Showing our Young People how to find their Spark is what we are all about.
“Harry & The Bucket Full Of Dinosaurs”…. Ok maybe its not but our Young Person is a font of knowledge when it comes to Dinosaurs a true Palaeontologist in the making. Today we used tools and instruments to uncover fossils and made new friendships whilst enjoying our favourite activity of dinosaur hunting!
Can you remember how scary your first day at school was?! It was a long time ago for me now (and no we didn’t use quill pens!), but it was a long time ago! Today we had a new Young Person join us and I do wish my first day was all about fun in the puddles, leaves and making new friends. We look forward to seeing lots of pictures and sharing how our young person develops his skills here at Pushforward Education.
This week one of our young people chose to do a Maths Game. Yes that is right!, he actually chose to do Maths – becuase its done in a fun way – this week was times tables practicing. Our Young People also learned about the Romans, from pop-up books to Horrible Histories television programmes. Then some drawing and play enacting of their own Tribe or Army.
Sometimes a Young Person will struggle with writing, so we encourage them through confidence and kindness to find another way to express their learning. This week some did choose writing, others drawing but also some through conversation. Conversation gives you social support. Whether you talk to friends, family or your teacher. Sharing information about what you have learned, your thoughts and feelings and being able to express these in a way that is understood by the listener is a skill in itself.
So this was a double trouble blog with two weeks worth of learning. We had a half-term break where some of the staff were able to enjoy travelling in Yorkshire climbing mountains, visiting waterfalls and visiting famous Cathedrals.
But this week we leave you with one final thought. Our Illustrious leader Mr Leon Edwards – Director and Founder of Pushforward Education Limited with a skipping rope. Our Young People learn through fun, we can have fun too! I hope everyone has a great week and I look forward to sharing more photos of our Young People and our amazing team next week.
Our Ethos
No one can begin to affect the world around them until they are CONFIDENT , COMFORTABLE, happy in their own skin and have found their SPARK! We take the time to understand and develop programmes from where the learner is in the world not where we think they should be. The work is underpinned by the Pushforward Wellbeing Index which looks at five key factors to wellbeing.