Page 20 - link magazine

Help a child build up a positive bank of memories
preschool THE brain is like a bank account

gymnastics which stores away experiences,
and nostalgic memories are an
important part of what makes us
where an early human.
A groundbreaking project -
start makes a world Memory Makers - links children
of difference! aged 10 to 12 with adult volunteers
to make memories to put into that
bank account, there to be drawn
upon when needed.
According to group co-founder Lyn
Hartman, there isn’t another similar
project in Britain. She said: “A happy
childhood is taken for granted,
but for some it can be a time of Memory Maker volunteers Jackie Evans and Stuart Westley
stress. Perhaps a child doesn’t get
enough attention because of family Swindon with his fiancé. He said: “We just chat a lot about everyday
breakdown, or there is instability at “I was looking for an excuse to be things; it’s all about listening and
home which causes anxiety, or he a kid again once a week. We went building a positive self-image.”
or she might be left out at school to the park recently and my child Memory Makers Programme Co-
because he or she isn’t confident or invented a game looking for bird ordinator, Clare Armagan said:
feels a failure.” boxes; we just chatted as we went “We believe that happy memories
Volunteers and children meet along. We’ve been to crazy golf, are crucial in psychological and
regularly to enjoy inexpensive went to a Chinese restaurant to try emotional growth. Remembering
activities such as going on a walk different foods and we’ve started good times can help cushion
around Coate Water, a game of writing a story together. children from the challenges they
football, flying a kite, playing board “As our friendship is on a voluntary face every day, and, crucially, may
daily classes for the under 5’s
games or doing crafts. It could basis, which has been agreed by a give them hope for the future.
01793 822262 mean going to the Wyvern Theatre parent, I don’t have an official role, “Anybody can be a Memory Maker.
or Roves Farm for a treat.
what we do is on his terms. He feels In our first group of volunteers we
www.esprit-gymnastics.co.uk Stuart Westley, 32, became a comfortable and does not need to have men and women ranging from
Memory Maker after he moved to try to act older than he is.” 18 years old to the retired; some are
Jackie Evans, 63, read the story experienced with children, others
about Memory Makers in the June have had little contact.
Link, just as she was retiring from “Volunteers come from all walks
teaching. She said: “I don’t have of life. The children involved with
grandchildren yet and with my the Memory Makers programme
experience I thought I could be a are so different from each other, so
Memory Maker. we need a broad range of people to
“But it’s a very different role to match them with.
being a primary school teacher; the “The most important thing
preparation course was the most that can be offered is time and a
interesting training on keeping willingness to put the child at the
children safe that I’ve ever had. centre of the relationship - plus the
Please call us at “We do what the child wants ability to have lots of fun.”
Windmill Hill to to do and I suggest things we The next Memory Makers training
arrange a nursery could try together. We went to a course takes place in late February.
tour just for craft session at Studley Grange For details, contact Clare Armagan
you and we will recently and she had to encourage on 01793 729748 or email memory.
look forward to me to get my hands sticky. [email protected]
welcoming you to
our Outstanding
Nursery LittLe Foxes ChiLdCare
& eduCation
FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS
Established 1986
The Common, Brinkworth, Wilts
Tel: 01666 510356
Just a 15 minute drive from West Swindon & Priory Vale on B4042
l An independent family run nursery offering quality care and education within a safe,
secure, stimulating environment for all babies and children from 0-5 and an out of
school club for children aged 5-11 years
l Open: Monday to Friday, 7.30am-6.30pm, 51 weeks of the year
l Full, part time and term time places. Government funding for
3-5 year olds
l High staff to child ratios with qualified and experienced teaching
staff and nursery nurses
l Nutritious 3 course meals, hydro pool, multi sensory room,
school hall with gym apparatus, secure gardens, mini bus for trips out and about
20 swindonlink.com n January 2015