OTS insist on more playtime
Liz Senior trained as an occupational therapist and then used the experience she gained working with children in her practice to develop Clamber Club, which runs programmes that help children get the playtime they need to develop. She tells Margaret Harri
YOU studied and practised as an occupational therapist. What do OTs do?
OTs work in a variety of fields that focus on rehabilitation and restoring independence after injury or disability. This covers areas such as neurology, spinal injuries, hand injuries, burns and amputations, and some OTs work within the psychiatric field with people who have mental illnesses. Some OTs also work with children who have learning or physical problems and with special-needs children. Did the idea for Clamber Club come from your work as an OT?
Yes. I was working in private practice as an OT and found that more and more children were experiencing learning problems based on the fact that fundamental skills were not being established. I wanted to do group work and to develop programmes for all children, regardless of whether they had problems or not, so we could try, if possible, to prevent learning problems. What qualifications do you have and how do they help you do your job?
As an OT, my focus over the past 25 years has been children. OT has helped me put meaning into and a solid foundation to the Clamber Club programmes I have developed in our baby, toddler, sports and playschool franchises. I love the challenge of turning the theory of learning into something magical that children can relate to and have fun with. So, taking my OT background and understanding of child development and putting these principles into something tangible, like our lesson plans and programmes, is incredibly rewarding for me. What exactly does Clamber Club offer parents and children?
We offer movement and stimulation classes in the form of baby and parent classes, toddler and parent classes, sports classes as extra-murals at nursery schools, obstacle course party entertainment for children aged one to nine, and playschool for 18 months to three years. I do not remember my peers needing to see an OT when I was a child, but today teachers seem to be quick to ask for an OT assessment. What has changed?
I think these days we are more aware of what issues to look for. Many children struggled throughout their school careers instead of receiving help early on. Early assistance can make a big difference to a young child’s ability to cope as she or he enters the higher grades. I also think children are not playing as much as they ought to and physical play, especially in the preschool years, is critical to perceptual motor development. Not everyone can afford or has access to a Clamber Club. How can parents ensure their children develop the skills and strengths they need?
Make sure that children have time to play — to climb, roll, tumble, jump and swing. Outdoor time is important but make sure that above all you have fun together as a family. What did you want to be when you were a child?
A teacher, which I am now as I still teach Clamber Club sports to a group of three-yearolds at Greenpark Nursery School [in Parkhurst, Johannesburg]. It’s the highlight of my week! I also train teachers and franchisees, which is teaching in a way. So I feel that I have come full circle. What qualities do you need to do your job?
A love for children, passion, enthusiasm, drive, energy, de- termination, a willingness to work hard, creativity, a sense of humour and a dash of craziness! What is the best career advice you ever received?
My mother always said, find what you love and make it your work. This is what I did and it has served me well. I love what I do and I feel privileged to work with an incredible team of awesome Clamber Club teachers and franchisees.