The Child's Play Way

28/08/2025

Kaelynn’s Autistic Angle all over my feed tgis morning 🌄

28/08/2025

🔺️🔻 sound familiar??

🤓 That “um…actually…” thing autistic folks are sometimes known for, can FEEL like they want the last word, but in reality, it’s ACTUALLY 👆a need for precision.

MOST people build a hierarchy of information that values the main point / conclusion,
and then the context,
and then the supporting details.

For example, you might say, “my mom just got the cutest poodle-type dog, and the other day he got into some chocolate and she had to take him to the emergency vet.”

If your mom’s dog is ACTUALLY a bichon, not a poodle,
it might not matter as much if the main point of your story was that the dog is sick.

For autistic people, our information hierarchy may involve exact details being the most important,
then chronological order of events,
and last is our main point.

Where you might prioritize social smoothness over accuracy to keep the conversation flowing, we may prioritize accuracy.

And while no one likes being corrected, especially in front of others...for us, trying to correct details is a way of stabilizing information so it feels usable to our brains.

HOWEVER, it should be noted that it’s FRUSTRATING to be on the receiving end of correction.
So here’s the middle ground…

When you hear something that’s not quite right, wait for a pause and say something like:

“I think what you meant was ___. Did I get that right?”
Or…
“Can I add a detail that feels important?”

If you’re on the receiving end of the correction that’s poorly timed, you can try something like this:

“I get that this detail is important to you, but I’d like to finish my story first.”
Or…
“Thanks for clarifying—can we keep moving? I don’t want to lose my train of thought.”

‼️Also…if you’re seeing this BEFORE August 25th register for a ✨FREE WEBINAR✨ for autistic adults 🤩 (link in comments)

21/08/2025

Did you know - you are able to use your Home Tuition / Early Intervention Grant in a Group Setting like our inclusive, play-based preschool???

For all intents and purposes Child's Play Kilbeggan is a Tusla Registered Creche, but we are also Westmeath's only private Early Intervention Center.

We have seen first-hand the benefits of developmentally-informed, play-based and inclusive education for all our children, and can't wait to share how this universal approach to education can break barriers and offer a truly supportive and accepting environment for all children to thrive together.

Don't take our word for it, read about the experiences of our very own families

💚💚💚

19/08/2025

You're invited!!!

Help us to celebrate some important milestones with us by calling by for our Open Day this Saturday August 23rd 11-1 pm. We are celebrating...

🎂 3 amazing years as Westmeath's only Inclusive Early Years Education and Intervention Centre in 6 Oak House, Riverview, Kilbeggan

📍 The official opening of the new community hub, We Are Here, at our home in 3 Oak House, Riverview, Kilbeggan, and

📗 The launch of our new book series, The Child's Play Way, a guide empowering all caregivers and educators to see and celebrate the small steps and development our children make in play

We have lots of fun activities planned to close out another wonderful summer, from our 3km family fundraising run around Kilbeggan, meet and greets of our fantastic teachers and facilities, and tasty treats from local bakers.

For all intents and purposes we are a Tusla Registered Creche, but as Westmeath's only private Early Intervention Center we also fill a gap when children can't access a school placement. We follow the model of best international guidance offering tiered levels of support to children of all abilities, from mainstream to severe and complex needs, with high quality preschool and afterschool, parent groups and our new manual and guide, The Child's Play Way.

We have seen first-hand the benefits of developmentally-informed, play-based and inclusive education for all our children, and can't wait to share how this universal approach to education can break barriers and offer a truly supportive and accepting environment for all children to thrive together.

For our birthday we are raising money towards upgrading our sensory room and equipment. We would truly appreciate your support in this underfunded service we offer the community and county. 

Please see our flyer attached with QR code if you're inspired or have been touched by our mission

19/08/2025

Onwards and upwards upstairs 🙌🙌🙌If anyone has any questions about what we are doing in Number 3 call in Saturday for our Open Day and Fun Run.

10/08/2025

The child is always right 💚

07/08/2025

😂😂😂

07/08/2025

Can't wait to welcome the wonderful Marve from MindCove Occupational Therapy to Kilbeggan, Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Maeve worked with us when we first opened, and I genuinely love her holistic approach. She specialises in sensory processing, emotional regulation and mental health in children and young people aged 3 to 25 years.

Maeve's calender is filling up quickly but she will give priority to anyone coming from Child's Play. Please make contact to ensure you get a space in this fantastic new service and resouce in Riverview Kilbeggan

07/08/2025

Who run the world?!

02/08/2025

Science for the win - we don't even know what we don't know yet

31/07/2025

If 🍺 did Summer Camp, we would probably still be the best

🤸‍♀️💚🤸‍♂️💚🤸‍♀️💚🤸‍♂️

Signing off for the bank holiday weekend, limited spaces for camping August!

Today's Tasty Thursday rhubarb and blackberry crumble and custard is just one example of how we operate -

🧘‍♀️ Yoga incl barefoot grass grounding in the garden

🌱 picking rhubarb with permission from Kilbeggan Tidy Towns

💦 water fight and playground, followed by

🍓 blackberry picking

✍️ journalling and drawing about our experience and plan

👨‍🍳 food prep and cooking

😋 trying healthy new foods

👬👭👫 all in an inclusive setting for children with different or additional needs

Water fights, races, playground, gymnastics, weightlifting, art classes, support in free writing and journalling, soccer, yoga, lego, cooking, gardening - every week we squeeze in as many elements we can think of to make sure our campers have a summer to remember.

29/07/2025