What I can offer your schools!
Animal-Assisted Learning Program
Our animal & equine assisted learning program is built on the foundation of healing partnerships between humans and animals (horses, dogs and bunnies). We provide a caring and supportive environment in the company of our animals compassionately meeting the “hearts” of our clients. Amigo, the canine, Twister and Star the horses as well as Ron, Potter, Artemis, Apollo and Renni, the bunnies, are members of our animal team.
The Naturally Nurtured Program teaches skills about personal wellness and healthy social/emotional interactions. Self-care techniques such as relaxation breathing and positive self-esteem activities are practiced and refined during the activities and interactions with the animals. Stories and crafts are also important tools used. The program is being brought into grade four classrooms as part of their Health Curriculum. Our program has also been taught in playschools, middle school and as well as individual sessions at Olds College.
Myself with the bunnies, as well as Amigo, do travel (depending on distance) to facilities. The equine program is located at Naturally Nurtured.The program is delivered in one hour weekly sessions until the desired length of the program is finished. The Relaxation Unit is the foundational unit and is always taught first.
There are seven units within the Naturally Nurtured Program so that teachers are able to customized it to meet the needs of their students’. All units promote healthy self-care techniques through worksheets, crafts and the interaction with the animal. Techniques for relaxation, positive self-esteem and emotional awareness are just three of the seven units covered within this program, all teaching the children “tools” to practice and use on a daily basis.
This program can be modified for children from playschool age and up into adulthood.
"Hoop Play" Program
The Hoop Play program is a low-impact, functional fitness program that focuses on building body confidence. Standard hula-hoop fitness techniques and modern hoopdance is used to target core muscles, challenge overall coordination, balance, posture and stability. Hoop Play is closely related to rhythmic gymnastics and modern dance, but is accessible to the untrained artist and non-physically fit! Hoop Play is a standard fitness training program recognized by Canadian Fitness Education Services (CFES) and members of the National Fitness Leadership Alliance of Canada in Alberta (AFLCA), Saskatchewan (SPRA) and British Columbia (BCRPA)!
Ley-Anne Mountain is a Hoop Play Certified Instructor and a AFLCA certified group leader. Standard hula-hooping activities are included. These creative and active play activities challenge mind-body awareness and fine motor skills, and are all non-competitive. Each session ends with grounding breath-work, mindfulness and “homework” that students can use to personally manage their health and wellbeing.
Physical Literacy Skills:
During our children’s programming, students will practice: walking, running, hopping, jumping, turning, twisting, balancing, bending, stretching, throwing and catching.
General Learning Outcomes:
All students will learn and practice body and space awareness, non-competitive individual and group play, and physical activity that contributes to overall wellness and confidence. Through both watching/listening and practicing, students will understand and appreciate the positive health benefits that result from physical activity and learn practical ways to assume responsibility for their own health and wellbeing. Students will explore the hoop as a physical boundary and connect the experience with healthy relationships. Grounding breathwork and repetitive movement patterns will be introduced as a practical contributor to mental wellbeing.
Thankyou to “Solstice Hoop Play”.
