I first came across the RDA when they were the recipients of a Blue Peter appeal back in 1987. At the time I was a young girl myself whose horse riding experience was one pony-trekking break, so I was intrigued by a charity that helped others to ride.
I put our son on the local waiting list nearby two years ago - given his diminutive size, we figure he'll either be a jockey or a Formula 1 driver (Daddy's preference!)
Andrew rode Stitch, their smallest pony, led by instructor Shaun and assisted by two volunteers who I suspect are girls from the Pony Club. And other than getting bored when stood still to receive group instruction, he really enjoyed the experience! He's now on the list as a casual rider (when regulars cancel) and will hopefully get a permanent ride soon.
Whilst we were playing horsey, Daddy was busy constructing the new garden swing. Bought over a year ago from grant money, we have an adult-sized frame to suit Andrew for many years to come, and a cradle swing on a spinner so he can choose whether to rock, spin, or both. This means that Andre can now play outside in 10 minute bursts of activity to suit his behaviour, and he gets fresh air every day even if Daddy is tired.
Laser quest and a zipwire (addnl. charge) supplement two separate play frames for under and over fives. The older generation seemed a little too boisterous for our son's comfort so we came off the large frame quickly, unfortunately without experiencing the mega slide. However given his learning delay, Andrew can pass as a 3/4 year old so he climbed happily around the younger area without any other parents questioning his presence.
If I could make two suggestions to Play Factore they would be to invest in a separate baby area, as mixing wobbly one-year-olds with bouncy four-year-olds will always end in tears; and to darken the sensory den, white is not really a sensory experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment