By Melina Giubilaro, Communications Specialist
Summer is a time for sunshine, laughter and making memories. Thanks to the dedicated staff at the Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre (LLMRC), children enjoyed a variety of day camps and programs this summer that mixed learning, movement and joy.
Our staff in Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services believes that every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy a fun and memorable summer, regardless of their abilities, and these inclusive programs ensure that this promise becomes reality.
One highlight was the Music and Movement Therapy Intensive, a one-week program designed to help students from Mackay Centre School strengthen their gross motor skills. Over five days, participants spent two hours each morning exploring rhythm and movement through musical instruments, learning to match their steps to the beat.
Activities focused on balance, coordination and sensory stimulation from standing on one foot to walking the balance beam and doing guided stretching exercises. The week concluded with a special outing to Ballet Hop! in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, where students put their newly developed skills into action during a fun, inclusive ballet class.
The ASL Parent Group at the MAB site was another highlight of the summer. This program gave parents the opportunity to learn American Sign Language (ASL) to enable them to better communicate with their children at home. While parents were in class, an educator and volunteer involved the children in activities, helping reinforce the same objectives being taught to their parents.
Eight children, ages 4 and up, participated in the group and showed an increased interest in learning ASL themselves. Not only did the program support families in developing stronger communication skills, it encouraged a shared learning experience that parents and children could continue to pursue together beyond the classroom.
The summer also featured the SPLASH Listening and Spoken Language Camp, a one-week intensive program for clients with hearing aids. The camp was packed with engaging activities, including participating in outdoor games and working on creative craft projects.
Participants enjoyed opportunities to practice their listening and communication skills in both structured learning environments and in play-based settings, guided by experienced speech-language therapists and occupational therapists, as well as the music teacher. The week wrapped up on a high note with a hands-on pizza-making class—a favourite among participants.