Tatami Therapy is a pioneering therapy for children and adolescents with psychological and behavioral needs that uses a vanguard methodology to meet the educational needs of the student.
Within this concept, specific exercises in an open framework have been designed to focus on specific needs. The program is inclusive of individual, partners and group games that the students participate in. While, the teaching staff, evaluates, diagnoses and participates with the students on an individual basis, pairs or groups.
It is a global program that works with parents and children enhancing the probability of success.
What is taught to the student?
The student will learn by means of preplanned and modified games using the structure of scenario of judo. Within our program somersaults are taught, judo falls are practiced,balancing exercises are performed. Techniques on focusing skills and how to control impulsiveness and relaxation techniques are discussed and implemented. Social skills such as respect of their peers, their professors and tatami are taught and demonstrated. Constant use of organization of time and materials are also important features of our program.
Who is in the classroom with the student?
In the classroom with the student will be the staff member that specializes with that activity that the student is engaged in . The psychologist, who in collaboration with the teacher individualise the program for the student, is also present.
How do Parents become involved?
The work for the parents is mainly of monitoring and supervising home tasks with their child. The parents also will participate in some sessions with their childs and familiarize with the instruction program. These sessions could involve role playing – being students or parents.
What is the length of each session and its frequency?
Each session is one hour, once a week during the school academic year.
What is the location of Tatami Therapy\'s Program
At the moment Tatami Therapy is being held in Valencia (Spain)
What advantages have Tatami Therapy as compared to other Therapies?
The advantages are diverse. Here are four :
- The student arrives at the therapy, motivated and ready to independently entertain him or herself. Having an already motivated student bring quicker success to the student\'s performing abilities. In tatami therapy the student arrives with the idea of “play”.
- The student has the opportunity to work in a group, which allows for positive development of social skills such as acceptance, teamwork and trust . These skills are found by means of dynamics of a group, which would be very difficult to be established in another setting.
- The student is exposed to the discipline that is associated with Judo. This allows development of values that are inherent to this sport and that would be more difficult to develop in another context.
- Work on tatami allows a space of mixtures of freedom and structure where the student feels free to express itself and to move under the supervision of the professionals.
What are the credentials of Tatami Therapy?
Tatami Therapy is a pioneering project of Social Initiatives that is developed in Valencia and has been selected by the corresponding Committee of Experts and approved by the Patronage of the Foundation “laCaixa”.
Ivan Salazar Chang has had a successful program for four years in school San Vicente Ferrer" in Valencia.