THE CHILDREN AT HART HOUSE

Hart House started with 2 children which slowly increased to around 14 presently. Short term care is Modays to Fridays and we also have a 2 to 3 children who live locally who come in for daytime care also. The age range of the children is between 5 to 16 years of age and we care for the mild to severly mentally handicapped. Family members bring their children in and collect them.

The children's conditions range from epilepsy and cerebral palsy to muteness and arthritis. The numbers of children we are able to accommodate in the home will often go down between the months of May to September due to the severe financial constraints experienced in the "off" tourist season.

Children are referred to us by primary or nursery school teachers and families who hear about us. The director then makes it his job to visit the child's home for a family interview. If the interview is successful an application form for admission would be filled out and a copy of the form is sent to the Social Welfare Department with whom we have a Letter of Memorandum.

ACTIVITIES

General classroom activities plus others that have been introduced at different times and have developed to include:

- Socialisation games
- Art & Craft
- Makaton (Sign Language)
- Reading and Writing
- Table games
- Sports and Outdoor games
- Colour matching
- Dressing
- Sand and water play
- Outings (educational, interest, entertainment, transfer of learning)
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Music
- Indoor play activities (toy cars, lego, doll house)
- Children's videos (educational and entertainment)

On a regular basis local children have been joining residents for most of the above activities.