Top marks for hospital adventure book
|
Parliamentary Secretary for Human Services Matt Viney, Elleny Mitchell from Geelong and Education Trust of Victoria Chairman Alister Maitland at the launch of the Royal Children’s Hospital Education Institute’s My Hospital Adventure: A Guide to Re-entry from Hospital to School. |
Returning to school after a stay in hospital can be difficult for many young children but it is a problem that can be overcome–with a little help from a resource kit developed and recently launched by the Royal Children’s Hospital Education Institute.
The kit, My Hospital Adventure: A Guide to Re-entry from Hospital to School, is aimed at primary aged children and comprises a workbook for children and guides for parents and teachers.
The kit aims to:
• Provide schools and families with strategies for maintaining continuity of education;
• Strengthen the connection between the child and the school during the absence;
• Foster independent learning through student-focused and technology-based tasks.
It acknowledges that children who undergo long and multiple periods of hospitalisation due to chronic illness often experience problems returning to school.
These problems can be reflected in their social and emotional wellbeing, the way they interact with peers and in their academic performance.
‘Children, like adults who return to work after an absence, feel overwhelmed when returning to school after a stay in hospital,’ said Executive Manager of the Hospital Education Institute Michelle Anderson.
‘Their friendship groups continue to develop without them and class teachers may change.
‘A resource like My Hospital Adventure gives a meaningful framework for parent, teacher and child involvement.’
Sharing with classmates and teachers in a creative way helps children communicate their experience.
It also demystifies hospital stays for other children, Ms Anderson said.
The Royal Children’s Hospital Education Institute was established in January 1999 to promote and strengthen education opportunities for children and young people with health and developmental needs.
Institute staff help parents play an active role in their children’s return to school by liaising with medical staff, parents and teachers to plan successful school re-entry programs.
The Education Trust of Victoria recognised the value of the kit by funding enhanced design work, promotion and an increased publication run.
The Trust is a not-for-profit company established to build partnerships between business, the community and government schools.
‘My Hospital Adventure will make the often difficult transition from hospital back to school an easier and more pleasant experience,’ said the Trust’s Chief Executive Officer Glen Kruger.