Help Special Need Kids/Siblings Learn From Groups

Encouragement and Praise Make Her Enjoy

Taiko-drumming and Clay Courses

                                                                                                                                                                          Aunt Shin

About a year ago, a school teacher told me that ten-year-old Shin was often distracted and inattentive in classes, and suggested that she went for  evaluations. So I started taking her to a series of doctor visits, evaluations, occupational therapy, etc. She was diagnosis as "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder , ADHD". That’s why she usually tends to be angry, and would hit her classmates without thinking. She would start to move around like a bug in her button within a few minutes of sitting, and her soul would fly away in the middle of class, etc... She began to take occupational therapy courses, I also began to pay attention to improve her ability through daily practice.

At that time, I saw on the Internet that An'An Slow Angels’ Family Support Association's weekend parent-child courses include "Genki Taiko" courses, which can cultivate concentration and enhance correct mobility. I thought, this is what Shin needs most right now. This is my first time taking a taiko-drumming class. During this one-hour class, She has to stand and play the drums and keep up with the teacher's rhythm. Maybe lacking of exercise and foot muscle endurance is not good enough. She asked to sit down and rest frequently. After class She would complained that her feet were sore. After repeated practices, XinTong gradually stopped complain. Instead, she said that when playing taiko drums, she would concentrate on following the drum music. After playing the drums, she felt very relieved. It is also worth mentioning that the An'An Association arranges irregular performances to give children the opportunity to show their confidence on stage. She usually looks lazy in class, but once he performs on stage, she becomes majestic. The applause from the audience gave her more motivation and confidence!

In 2023, we also participated in the Clay course. Sometimes Shin couldn't make what she created well and she would lose her temper and cry while making works. Fortunately, with the teacher's encouragement and praise, Shin was still I love taking clay classes the most. Before the end of each class, the teacher always asked each child to hold a microphone and share his or her work. At first,Shin would be shy and hid under the table and did not dare to express. After the teacher’s warm guidance, she gradually got better and began to dare to speak openly. Talking quietly into the microphone, accumulating confidence bit by bit, developing concentration and patience bit by bit, and making small progress every time, I believe she will get better and better.

An An Association's Clay class is what children look forward to most every week ! Every Friday, Peipei will come and ask her mother, "Can I have a clay class tomorrow? I really want to play!" In order to satisfy her enthusiasm for the class, despite rain or shine I have to take her out to go to class.

The Clay classes are very diverse and there is a lot of interaction with other children. During class, Peipei will observe the works of other children to cultivate her sense of beauty and observation.
"I want to make the same poached eggs as her!" Peipei is a child with cerebral palsy. She needs to wear corrective shoes to walk. She has a poor sense of balance and often needs assistance. But she is cheerful and lively and likes to make friends. In class, she often takes the initiative to chat with other children or teachers. Clay lesson is also helpful for the development of hands, eye coordination and small muscles. Her hands, which originally needed to be equipped with assistive devices, can now open arcs and skillfully make many detailed movements. This may also be a great help for holding pens and writing in the future!

I remember once, her dad & me are busy and couldn't take her to class. She pouted and said, "Okay..." but she didn't give up and ran to ask her brother, "Brother, can you take me to clay class?" Her brother said. no way. She ran to her aunt again, "Auntie, can you take me to the clay class?" Her aunt said she didn't know how to get there... Finally she ran to me, "Mom, can you call grandma for me and ask her to take me to class?" Four-year-old Peipei is just a little kid, but she is very enthusiastic about clay classes and full of passion, which is far beyond my imagination.

An An Association’s clay class is so attractive ~
Every time I see her eyes looking forward to the class, the smile on her face, and her confidence while showing her clay work to others, I feel very happy.