The Girls’ Club
Greg Sneath
The Girls’ Club
Sneath G. The Girls’ Club. Down Syndrome News and Update. 2006;6(1);17-18.
doi:10.3104/essays.376
"The Girls' Club": It's like a birthday party every month – only better ! And
what could be better than a birthday party? Well, most birthday parties for
school age children involve the special friends that children see every day at
school, with perhaps one or two friends from elsewhere.
"The Girls' Club" is different.
Our girls all attend different schools in the Auckland metropolitan area, where
they enjoy the benefits of mainstream schooling, with teaching support, and
mainstream role models providing a high level of social inclusion. Even so, as
our girls have progressed though the primary school years the nature of school
friendships and school relationships have changed and evolved. It is becoming
more difficult to maintain close friendships outside school hours. Now at the
ages of ten to twelve years the timing is just right for the development of a
network of special friends who meet up at least once every month for
celebrations, activities and friendship strengthened by the common bond of Down
syndrome. It is hoped that "The Girls' Club" will provide opportunities to
practice social skills and cement friendships that the girls could take into
their teenage years.
"The Girls' Club" was instigated through the foresight and dedication of Karen
Knight and Linda Easterbrook who worked to set up a series of fun and
interesting activities which the girls could share and succeed in, while they
enjoy making new friends and strengthen bonds formed by the experiences they
have in common.
The girls making Hawaiian garlands
Monthly activities for the girls have included the usual children's party games
plus activities centred on hand-crafts and art. "The Girls' Club" have enjoyed
the excitement of anticipating seasonal activity themes based on Halloween,
Christmas and Easter, where together they have made cards, decorations and small
gifts. "The Girls' Club" have shared in the preparation of cakes or pizza for
the Friday night feast. Sometimes it is just a celebration of traditional Friday
night's fish and chips, with more time on other activities. The summer months
have allowed for pool parties and outdoor ball games. Team sports or board games
and card games have not been explored yet, but no doubt the opportunities are
endless for promoting good leisure and social skills.
Hawaiian night at The Girls' Club
"The Girls' Club" is a chance to interact with peers who share a similar level
of abilities, sense of humour and interests, in an environment that is well
controlled yet relaxed and comfortable. Keeping the group to a small and
manageable number (maximum of 10) has been a deliberate strategy to ensure the
girls have a chance to get to know each other well, and to engage in activities
that can be arranged within the home.
"The Girls' Club" meet on a Friday evening after school, and although now it is
working on an informal roster, Karen bravely hosted all the early sessions. The
format requires a formal invitation, with a letter to each of "The Girls' Club"
members. The invitation, which is typed or hand written by the host girl, gives
not only the time and place but also a summary of the theme and general
activities for the forthcoming 'Club Night'. It is signed, stamped and then duly
delivered by New Zealand post, although occasionally a hand delivery might give
rise to the opportunity for an informal social visit. A formal acknowledgement
to the invitation is usually the required etiquette, with response by either
telephone or written reply.
Making fruit and marshmallow kebabs
As members of the Auckland Down Syndrome Association, there are opportunities
for lots of other meetings and shared activities in larger groups. It used to be
that the girls were shy and reticent about mixing when they met at larger social
activities. It took a while to break the ice and get to know each other again
following the last organised event. "The Girls' Club" has changed that! Recently
it was very much evident that catching up with members of "The Girls' Club"
heightened the anticipation and excitement of attending the special privilege of
a night visit to the Auckland Zoo.
Trips to the movies, days at the beach, regular sports activities, hobbies and
craft groups are all viable opportunities for teenagers and young adults with
Down syndrome. It is hoped that through starting to develop regular social
interaction now, the girls will be confident enough in their teenage years to
organise their own leisure activities with minimal parental involvement.
Activities during teen years could be shared with long standing friends from
both mainstream school and "The Girls' Club". It may also be that regular
functions are arranged in community halls, with activities for larger groups of
teenagers – including both girls and boys.
For the time being, the regular meetings of "The Girls' Club" also provide a
good social contact for parents. For these initial 'club nights' several parents
stay to help with the activities. There is time to chat, share information and
ideas. It is the same as any coffee group – just with a slightly different focus
for the day's activity. As the girls' confidence develops, it is envisaged that
greater independence will be encouraged by less parental support in activities,
with perhaps parents meeting away from the host home.
Only time will tell how friendships and social bonds will develop, but for now
there is reward enough for parents and children alike. Participation in "The
Girls' Club" has provided a monthly social highlight and a source of great
personal satisfaction for our girls.
Thank you to Karen and Linda for the foresight and the energy, not only to get
the ball rolling but for keeping the momentum up. The girls love it, and
genuinely treasure their friendships at "The Girls' Club."
Greg Sneath is a parent from New Zealand