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Speak Out
October 2016
www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.auNorthern
Territory
NT 44
members
Branch
News
as at August 2016
When the topic
of Speech Pathology Week was raised at the Northern Territory Branch
meeting earlier in the year, we decided to look for something other than the usual information
booth at the market or in-service to health professionals. Our search for something different
led us to the Darwin City Council’s Fun Bus. The Fun Bus is a mobile playgroup for children
aged birth to five that travels to different locations around Darwin each day. With the beautiful
dry season weather the Fun Bus takes advantage of outdoor settings like parks and gardens,
while in the wet season the Fun Bus activities are held indoors in the much-needed air
conditioning.
Fun Bus playgroup sessions are free and aim to engage children in new experiences and
help them develop social skills through play. It also provides children with the opportunity to
interact with other adults and children, and make new friends. For parents and carers, the
Fun Bus lets them meet other parents, learn how to develop skills with their child through
play, and provides ideas for activities to try at home. The Fun Bus also helps parents link with
services and support within the local community.
As part of Speech Pathology Week this year, an army of SPA volunteers “gate crashed” the
Fun Bus playgroup sessions to promote speech pathology. Our fabulous volunteers set up
the colouring table, encouraged children to enter the Speech Pathology Week colouring
competition, and handed out Speech Pathology Week goodies such as balloons and
stickers. They also spent time talking with parents and carers about speech and language
development and answered questions from parents about their child’s speech and language
skills. Information was provided on speech pathology services available in Darwin and
handouts were given on speech and language milestones. The Fun Bus was a great way
to engage with the local community to promote Speech Pathology Week and sharpen our
colouring skills at the same time. A big thank you to everyone who came and helped out.
Meg Redway
NT Branch Editor
Speech Pathology Week Fun