Quote:
Originally Posted by portchesterqueen
Dear Heidi
Many thanks for your detailed reply and advice. I will definitely be checking out McMillan. I would like to visit any sensory gardens that have been set up within primary schools in my area, but there doesn't seem to be any that I know of - most are associated with special schools. I live in Hampshire and have tried to find some that are close by but to no avail so far. Any other ideas warmly welcomed.
Portchesterqueen
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Hi Portchester Queen,
If you know of any special schools, I'd ring them all, explain and ask if you can visit. I'm sure you'd only need 15-20 minutes, so you wouldn't be encroaching on their time; and they may welcome your visit.
You could take a copy of your crb and only take photographs of the garden and features, if not write/sketch what features that will help you.
If not, contact your Early Years (within your County Council) or do you have an Early years advisor? if so, ask them.
If you are still not sure of what or whom to contact, if you work in a setting, ask your manager, they should help. Use your net-working system, whether that's forums/clusters/courses you may attend or anyone that is in education. If you really want to do your chosen project and do it well, you'll have to do the 'pushing/driving'.
I did notice you were thinking of this project for children with speech delays, but I feel that would narrow your subject matter down and restrict you. A muli-sensory garden is a multi- faceted subject and you would have more scope linking it to all sen children (as well as those that aren't).
This would allow you a greater area to research on the academic side. If you are going to concentrate just on speech, do you think 'they' may be questioning why a sensory garden should benefit a child with speech delay more than one who has not? The nice surroundings are lovely, but it may seem to be pushing the SAL therapists to the side and what does it add? Providing a child with something interesting may encourage them to talk, but so could a toy car or dinosaur. Just a thought - you may have research and jounals that point towards and argue the difference they make.
I hope I haven't put you off your subject, as it's a great one with so much scope - just don't want you to 'tie' yourself up by narrowing such a lovely subject and one that you may find goes off in a different direction once you get started.