Case study - MT

Case Study Play in the Home

MT

Worker: Caroline Goodwill

“A community who live and learn together�

Context of study MT is a very energetic, friendly four year old boy. His mum SI is a single mum. Despite several attempts to make her marriage work, it broke down when MT was one year old. MT’s contact with his father has been inconsistent and he currently has no contact at all.

MT began attending St Edmund’s at one year old in the Baby Room. At this time Mum was working, but found it harder and harder to give MT the attention he was seeking and hold down a job and so eventually gave up work to be around for MT. MT finds it very difficult to regulate his behaviour at times, at home and at nursery. He attends St Edmund’s on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday full days and Wednesday and Friday afternoons.

Play in the Home Session 1 - March 2017 At our first meeting, mum and I talked about what Play in the Home might involve, what I thought would help me to get to know MT and about things that he was finding difficult, including what possible triggers were.

We agreed the dates for future visits so that mum could be part of the whole process of Play in the Home. We decided on two dates for visits that would be in the first week of the holidays where I could visit mum and MT at home.

Mum also agreed to bring MT along to the Easter Egg hunt that was to be held at the children’s centre.

Session 2 - April 2017 MT was eating lunch as I arrived for our Play in the Home . As mum cleared away the unfinished lunch, and he played with his toys, I reminded MT that we had talked about playing some of his games!

MT showed that he had an understanding of some of the rules of games, including turn taking, and listened to his mum and me as we explained the more complicated rules of ‘Connect 4’.

He showed that he approaches activities with enthusiasm, and wanted to rush ahead with the parts of the game he understands, but that he finds certain aspects frustrating.

He can be engaged with adult support for a period of time, but wants to move on when he finds the rules of the game more than he can understand.

MT helped to tidy away the first game before we got out ‘Pirate!’, and he explained that what we had to do was put the knives into the barrel and not pop the pirate up.

When I cried out in surprise when the pirate did pop up, MT laughed and reset the game.

MT managed much of the game playing very well, but was again frustrated when mum talked to me about his behaviour, displaying his frustration until we continued with the agreed Play in the Home meeting and moved on to a pairing card game, when he was persuaded to clear up the Pirate Game before moving onto show his good memory in finding pairs.

First mum sorted them into pairs with MT’s help and then she made into 2 sets and shuffled each pack before lying one pack across the table face down close to MT and then one face down close to me.

We took turns turning one of our own and then of the others to try find the pairs. MT tried to look at more when he didn’t immediately find a match but was reminded we only get to choose two. We continued the game which MT proved to be very good at. His memory skills were good once the cards had been seen.

We played the game a few times mixing up the whole pack.

MT clearly enjoyed it and was able to win most times.

Mum agreed to attend the egg hunt at the children’s centre with MT. MT helped to put away the cards and seemed disappointed as I made to leave. He stood in the doorway blocking my path and made it difficult for me to leave but did finally wave goodbye before returning indoors.

Session 3 - Tuesday 11th April Today mum brought MT along to the Easter Egg Hunt at the children’s centre as agreed. She brought him to the craft table where we were making baskets for the egg hunt. When mum suggested that he made one he replied “You do it...I’m gonna find eggs”. Mum tried to coax him but to no avail. She did complete the basket for him. Later she asked him to come and decorate a biscuit; again he was more interested in going off to play.

At the end of the session we played parachute games and had song time. Mum and MT joined in. MT listened to instructions but was very excited at the chance to catch a monkey and dived in quickly. Mum tries hard to help MT to regulate his enthusiasm and maintain his interest...

When we moved on to song time MT was losing interest but mum quickly regained his attention by incorporating one of the monkeys in the song actions.

As the children left they were collecting their decorated biscuits. When MT realised that he did not have one he was very disappointed, but I said that I would give him a biscuit to decorate at home.

Session 4 - 13th April Today we made Easter Bonnets. I brought along a pre-cut circle and various pieces of crepe, tissue paper and sequins with which we could decorate our Easter Bonnet.

MT chose to cut a length of crepe paper which he applied in a circular fashion around the circle.

Using the glue stick to attach it. MT added various sequins around the brim and did not want to use the pre-cut bunnies or chicks. He helped mum add some googly eyes and then Mum said that she had some glitter which he could use to decorate them with. She fetched 3 small bottles and MT was keen to use them, he struggled to open the plastic coating with which the bottles were sealed. When I offered help he passed me the bottle allowing me to cut it off he then removed the cork and I assisted him to gently sprinkle it over the glued area. He choose a different colour but this time he was hasty and tipped the whole bottle out onto the hat.

Mum said not to worry and brought a teaspoon with which she scooped it back into the bottle. When the hat was finished we took photos of each other modelling the hat.

Our very fine hats!

Session 5 - 20th April - Out and About I met MT and Mum at the top of the escalators in the Arndale Centre as arranged. I saw them coming up the escalators, Mum was holding MT’s hand. They greeted me warmly and Mum said that she needed to buy some joggers for MT and thought Primark would be best. She asked MT if he would like to show me the surprise that he had seen on the way in. He replied he wanted to get some Hot Wheels. Mum explained that he had seen and he had wanted the Hot Wheels yesterday but they were too expensive, she encouraged him to show me the surprise downstairs.

She asked how he would like to go down...escalator or lift?

He chose the lift. Once inside, he pushed the button to descend. The surprise was some wonderful owls which were on show with their keepers, but despite our efforts to engage MT in conversation about the owls, he was still very focussed on the Hot Wheels.

MT was not happy to be shopping and was focussed only on hot wheels. Mum used various methods to distract him but MT was keen to play up for attention . Hiding and pulling away from her whenever possible. Mum bought a water pistol for MT in town, and tried to help MT to regulate his challenging behaviour. Mum suggested a cafĂŠ stop on the way for the bus. An offer of milkshake or a drink of his choice was refused. Again Mum found herself struggling to restrain him using all the distraction methods she knew.

We then headed for the bus stop again he fought and tried to pull away her , she tried to calm him by talking about what they might have for tea, offering choices he continued to lash out. Mum ignored the disapproving glances of the others in the queue and continued to try placating him.

She was relieved to see the bus approach and pointed it out to MT who stopped fighting momentarily. She said that he could travel upstairs and this pleased him. He ran eagerly up but was dis-appointed to find the front seats already taken.

Mum ushered him into a window seat and pointed to the shop windows as we passed. For the entire journey MT sat quietly and watched as the bus went on its route. Mum explained that MT loved to travel on the bus and she often took him on bus rides just for the journey. As we approached our stop Mum prepared him for getting off by asking him to press the bell and he waited at the top of the stairs for the bus to come to a halt and then calmly walked down and disembarked. He held mum’s hand and walked and chatted happily showing me the way to his house. As we crossed a road mum saw his auntie in a car and pointed this out to MT “look she is waving” MT refused to wave back and tried to pull away from mum again. She told him it was ok. But his mood had flipped and again she was wrestling his unwanted behaviour. Mum tried various distractions but MT did not want to stop.

When we arrived home I told MT how disappointed I was at his behaviour and that I was sad that our outing was spoilt by it. He refused to look at me. I said that I would come again and hoped he would behave properly. When Mum asked did he want me to come again he nodded.

She asked him to say goodbye “bye” he said with a wave and walked in.

Session 6 - Thurs 8th June Home visit MT was still in bed when I visited, which gave mum and me chance to chat about the notes that I had made about our Play in the Home sessions, and about strategies that were in place at home and at nursery, to help MT develop his self regulation.

Our journey, the family...

Mum said that she likes the calm down session that has been put in place for MT before collection time, this seems to be working MT is calmer and not fighting tiredness when she picks him up.

She has learnt to try and stay calm and not get frustrated when MT’s behaviour suddenly becomes volatile.

Thinking about safety as a priority.

Our journey, the staff member...

I have enjoyed working with mum and MT. At first mum was a little uncertain of my involvement. I feel she quickly came to trust me and was happy to share her concerns and discuss them with an open mind. I praised mum for the techniques that she was using I feel that I could have worked more closely with the Family Support Worker and been fully aware of the challenges this family faced.

In future I will endeavour to look deeper into the background of families that I am working with so that I can offer support at the level required, I feel working with mum and MT has helped, and I will work in an integrated way alongside a family and other professionals in future.

Reflections Mum feels that she is on an continuing journey and is hopeful that the outcome will be a bright one. I feel mum no longer feels alone in her struggle.

What next?

Mum has very much enjoyed the childcare course that she has been on and hopes to continue on after the summer break so that eventually she can work in a nursery setting term time so that she can support MT and spend time with him during the school breaks.

MT continues to get support from Lucy his Keyworker at St Edmund’s Nursery and is awaiting an appointment at the Behaviour Assessment Clinic.

The West Bradford Children’s Centre Cluster Established in 2015, the West Bradford Cluster is led by St Edmund’s Nursery School and Children’s Centre Services, an outstanding nursery school and the lead school for the Bradford Birth to 19 Teaching School Alliance.

The cluster has seven sites in West Bradford, at: 

Allerton (Ley Top Primary School)

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Crossley Hall Primary School

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Farnham Road Primary School

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Lidget Green Primary School



Princeville Primary School

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St Edmund’s Nursery School



Thornton Primary School

We provide services for over 5,000 families with children aged under five, with 6,311 children living in our reach areas. We offer a range of services, including extensive home visiting, family support, stay and play sessions, adult learning and courses for parents.

We want children to: 

Confidently overcome and face obstacles, both independently and as part of a team.

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Have self belief, be able to express themselves and know that they have a voice.



Develop self-esteem, self-awareness and self-belief.



Make a positive contribution to society.

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Grow in love, feel secure, respect and value themselves and others



Be the best they know they can be.

Tel: 01274 544922 Email: westbradfordcluster@stedmundsbradford.org.uk Website: www.stedmundsbradford.org.uk We are on Facebook!

West Bradford Children’s Centre Cluster