'CONNECT' NEWS, march 2021

Directors' kōrero

Kia ora koutou,
As families who attend the Champion Centre know, every day around 20 children with their parents and caregivers join their early intervention teams for a busy morning of activity. Each child’s programme is individually tailored to their developmental needs, full of play, and involves a combination of fun, hard-work and connection with others. All activities are carefully planned by our very skilled and experienced staff, but really, it’s the partnership between staff and parents /caregivers that makes the real difference. You’re the people who know your children best of all, and we thank-you for joining us every week.
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In this newsletter, we are once again delighted to showcase news from around the centre and from our graduates.
Ngā mihi nui
Wendy and Lauren

Lars in the driving seat
Lars Welford, aged 7, had fun trying on his uncle's helmet that goes with his uncle's 'retro-styled' e-bike. As a recent graduate, it was great to have an update from Lars' dad on how much he is enjoying school. Lars is now year 3 at Cotswold School, which he loves and demonstrates this by running to class each day!

​The caretaker has recognised Lars' love of gardening tools and regularly gives him a 'whir' with the leaf-blower. As autumn approaches, the leaf-blower's appearance will be keenly anticipated.

News from our playroom
​Ted is learning to dress himself, so Emma, one of the Playroom Specialists, used the dress ups for him to practise his skills. He was so proud of himself, as you can see by the look on his face! While Ted needed a little support, with repeated opportunities to practise he will absolutely master these skills

​Q & A with retired Musical Play Therapist, Julie Wylie

Photo, The Press, 2020.

​Music plays an integral part of life at the Champion Centre, woven into the fabric of nearly every part of the programme. This is largely due to the effervescent and passionate Musical Play Therapist, Julie Wylie. Julie has dedicated 28 years of work to the Champion Centre, however it is time for Julie to pass over the baton. I sat down with Julie and had a chat.

How did music become so prevalent at the Champion Centre?
Back in the early 1990’s, speech language therapist, Jan Murphy, the Centre therapists and I were looking into how music affects the brain and wellbeing. I started writing and reflecting after every session, then I came across an amazing book on music and the mind and I thought ‘this is the beginning’. I could see that music could bring parent and child into synchronicity.

What insights into music did you discover in the early days?
Discoveries with neuroscience have shown that music can contribute to each child and parent's wellbeing. When the child is in a calm, regulated space then they can learn. The elements of music can be used in very specific ways to promote well-being and regulation. Musical rhythm, melody/tune, dynamics (loud or soft), form (clear beginning, middle and end of a song or piece of music), the specific sounds of instruments and harmony all have an impact on the brain's systems. Music that has a steady beat, close to a resting heart rate, encourages the lower parts of the brain and the body to come into synch and produce a feeling of calm. Depending on how they are used, they can either contribute to regulating or deregulating a child's systems.

You refer to yourself as the conductor, what do you mean?
I like being the conductor not the leader; the parent is the leader as they can carry the music on at home or anywhere. For example, today I asked one of the dad’s in the baby programme if he sung with his son. He said he had a terrible voice and I said, ‘I’ve heard you, you can sing.’ His eyes lit up. Your wife and your voices are the most important voices in this world for your child. He looked really excited. ‘I have a guitar at home, but I never touch it. My nanny lived next door to us when we were growing up and she sang to me all the time,’ he said. Then the whole story came out about the Māori side of his whānau and how his nanny played the guitar and sang him lullabies when he was growing up.

What things have you witnessed over the years?
I have been privileged to see and hear things with parents. Looking back, I have probably seen a miracle every day. I have seen children sing their first words, take their first steps and dance to music. I’ve had a parent who is so full of grief, then something will happen in the music session which is hilarious. The parent then has a good belly laugh and comments that they haven’t laughed like that since baby was born. It’s a cathartic experience for parent and child.

There was one little boy on the autistic spectrum, aged 4. He looked like an angel and had the most incredible voice. Nobody was seeing anything cognitively, but music seemed to make a remarkable impact on him. This little boy has such strong musicality. I asked his mother to play him Mozart and he stood with his ear to the radio. There was a concert coming up at the Christchurch Town Hall with NZSO, and I took him and his mother to the orchestra. I wanted him to experience live music. We sat up above the stage and orchestra. They played classical music and during the performance the little boy took my arm and conducted. At the end, the conductor got up and bowed to us. This would have been an indelible experience for both the mother and child.

Have any graduates of the Centre gone on to pursue music?
We have a number of children who have grown up to be incredibly musical. Thomas Eves is the chief trumpeter at the CSO, and Jasmine Butcher is studying music at university. Another boy, Rohan Soper aged 17, who was born premature, has been learning percussion and has sat an exam through Trinity College. India Neville, now 21, is studying at a music academy in Canada.
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Where to now for music at the Champion Centre?
I believe everything has a season. I’ve done everything I’ve been asked to and wanted to do, and now it’s time to bow out. Music at the Centre is in very capable hands, as we have five talented music specialists, led by Sarah Marra. When I started at the Champion Centre, I was crying out, ‘please consider music.’ Now wherever I go people are singing and using music. All the therapists are using music in the most incredible ways.

What’s in store for Julie Wylie now?
I’ve been on this journey and it’s way bigger than me. I have my musical school in the community and run workshops for teachers and parents. I have also developed a Postgraduate Certificate in the Psychology of Musical Play Therapy. I am writing a lot and there are numerous stories to tell about my work with children at the Champion.

Julie captures it poignantly when she says;
‘every vignette is so special and every child I’ve met has taught me so much. It’s not about their limitations but about how children can fly musically. When you allow them to find their voice and let them be the leader, they take you on the most miraculous journey.’

​We express our gratitude to Julie for all her years of passion and dedication to our Champion Centre families.

A big thanks to...
Thank you to all who shared and bid on the auction for the Crusaders membership pack, including the signed home jersey and Rugby Park tour. It was a fantastic outcome, with the auction yielding $1520.

​The 2nd signed jersey and Rugby Park tour auction also sold at auction for $655.

The Champion Centre team of specialists offer children the best possible start to their lives to be able to reach their full potential. The total funding the centre receives from Government falls $7 000 short for each child at the centre. This $700 000 shortfall relies on fundraising and donations.
​Call Karon Storr on 03 383 6867 to discuss ways to give.