2 to School Age

By being open in your replies to direct questions the children will be satisfied

Early Days

Social interaction with other children is also important. Going to a mother and toddler group locally can be very useful, helping both parent and child to gain confidence to overcome all situations, it is different from being with family and friends. Meeting new people can help develop strategies for describing and talking about the deficiency. Your child will listen to how you describe the arm and copy later on, so being matter of fact and using simple terms will pay dividends. Involve your child in all the explanations. The child may also be with children he will go to school with later on.

Very young children will usually not notice any differences and just accept the deficiency. Slightly older ones and some adults will ask questions and this gives an opportunity to explain about the difference. Other adults are also curious but don't like to ask! By being open in your replies to direct questions the children will be satisfied. The adults will either overhear or learn from their own children later. Your child will learn to respond in the same way, without embarrassment. Once they see that you expect your child to be like everyone else they will put it to the back of their minds and your child can play like everyone else. Be honest and straight forward, children appreciate this arid your child will learn too. If your child realises you and all around him can accept him without embarrassment, he will accept himself in the same way. If your child wears a prosthesis explain how it works - your child will probably be happy to demonstrate how it works, but don't push him if he isn't.

Pre School

Obviously choosing a nursery school or playgroup is a very important step, it should be one that you feel will suit your child and offer the correct level of education. Meet the staff running the school and see if your child can go along for a morning and see how they treat your child. Are they worried, do they approach him as any other child, do they leave him to get on with the activities and play or do they watch him all the time? The response of the supervisors is particularly important. Ideally they should be prepared to stand back and observe your child's abilities, intervening only when help is obviously required. Discuss any possible problems, such as the need for straightening out clothing after going to the toilet, sand and water play if he wears a prosthesis. Be aware that any prosthesis may look unnatural and heavy to the staff and they may be wary, initially, about helping your child to take it off and put it back on. Make sure they are comfortable with this aspect of your child's life. Your local Occupational Therapist who knows your child may be able to help them. One other factor which should be borne in mind is the pre-school location in relation to the primary school you hope your child will attend. If he or she moves onto school as one of a group of children who are already comfortable with each other this will obviously be a great advantage.