Unlocking Prisoner Potential
Written by Helen White Speech Language Therapist
It began as a response to a plea from the Howard League, an organisation which has been responsible for establishing programmes for prisoners to assist them with learning, training for employment and physical activities such as yoga. An established literacy programme is in place and, although I have considerable experience in literacy and phonological awareness, I wanted to devise a programme which extended their language development. As Speech and Language Therapists know, it is recognised that a substantial number of prisoners have underlying problems with language.
Free Reading Resources
by Marie Kelly
Reading can help children cope better during the pandemic which has affected more than 1.5 billion students across the globe. Reading is a great leveller, reading brings joy, excitement, sometimes sadness but overwhelmingly reading transports us to other worlds.
Reading for Meaning
by Marie Kelly
Why is it that some children can read fluently, yet when you ask them to retell the essence of the story or you ask them a direct question, they look at you blankly? Parents often wonder what they can do to help their children understand stories. We explore the key aspects of comprehension-building.
Fun Activities
A to Z Boredom Busters!
Dear Parents,
We’re already well into quarantine, and sources of entertainment may be starting to run low. That’s why we have come up with a list from A-Z filled with fun ideas for all ages!
Stuff NZ
Should Siblings share a room?
Kidz Therapy founder Marie Kelly said children who grew up sharing a room had learnt to compromise on a daily basis.
“They may have to create rules, for example I am getting changed, so you cannot come back for 10 minutes. This may lead them to be better flatmates or hostel mates at university,” she said.
Stuff NZ
Kiwis need to be wary of expecting too much of baby Charlotte McCaw
Kiwi child psychologist Marie Kelly of Kidz Therapy says it is important for the public to remember children should not have to live up to their parents’ success.
Stuff NZ
Halloween is here, and communities are doing it a little differently
Psychologist Marie Kelly says Halloween can send mixed messages about strange danger and community parties are a good alternative.
Stuff NZ
More complex cases of anxiety in children being reported
Stuff spoke to Kidz Therapy psychologist Marie Kelly, who believes the complexity of anxiety reports are increasing.
Stuff NZ
Kiwi girl wins court battle to leave Australia to live with her father in NZ
Raewyn talks about the sexual abuse she suffered as a child. Now as as an adult she works to ensure children who have been abused can get the help they need.
NZ Herald - May 2017
Small Business: Making a difference to young minds – Kidz Therapy
A short article reflects how Kidz Therapy began its journey in 2007.
A fortnite off school!
As the school holidays begins, Sarah Murray meets families struggling to cope with their children’s obsession with online gaming.
Are classes for toddlers actually beneficial or just a waste of money?
Preschoolers can take lessons in soccer, rugby, yoga, hip hop and tennis these days, although most have a limited attention span.
Too much media is bad for kids
Too much media is making our kids violent, giving them ADHD, and worse, making them stupid. But some academic are raising the alarm and saying that these widely held claims are often not based on the fair scientific appraisal of the evidence.