Day School Level 1 - 6

Level 1

Level I is the place where children experience the transition from Early Intervention Programme (E.I.P.) to the Day School Programme. There are usually about ten students in this class aged between 7 and 9 years of age. Some of the skills taught here through play activities include pre-reading and pre-writing skills; social and self help skills.

We encourage one parent to come to the class each day to help with class activities. Twice a week the speech therapist works with the whole class. Some students who need physiotherapy are given the necessary exercises on an individual basis.

Level 2

There are usually about 8 to 10 students whose age ranges between 8 – 10 years. The programme involves learning Bahasa Malaysia, pre-reading and writing skills, identifying numbers, social and self-care and living skills. The speech therapist runs group therapy twice a week where the children learn how to communicate using sign language. Students go swimming twice a week.

Usually there are not more than 10 students in one class. Children in this class are aged between 8 and 13 years. This class has one student’s assistant who is a former student of Bethany. The students’ are taught pre-writing, basic numbers skills, language, mathematics, reading and speech development. Twice a week the students have speech therapy and, depending on needs, physiotherapy for some students once a week. They go for swimming lessons every week and also attend parties, assemblies and take part in co-curriculum activities. Once a month they go on an outing.

There are generally about 10 students in this class who are between 10-15 years of age. In mathematics the children are taught to add, subtract, multiply and divide, as well as money and time concepts. They also learn Bahasa Malaysia and English. They are taught to read and write their own names, addresses and telephone numbers and to recognize useful words like toilet, food, danger etc. They also have practical work; they learn to sweep, mop the floor, wash dishes and take care of a small garden by watering the plants and pulling out weeds. They also learn how to cross the road safely and to be aware of traffic. Another important subject is self-care skills such as dressing themselves, brushing teeth, brushing hair etc

Socially, this class learns how to communicate with people and, with improved skills; the possibility to find work as cashiers or shopkeepers is enhanced.

Level 5

In this level there are usually about 10 students who are 12 – 16 years old, with varying disabilities. The focus here is on encouraging students to speak and communicate. Students study subjects such as mathematics, money, time concepts, social and living skills. Parents particularly want their children to write their name and address and are an academic focus for this level of training.

These are skills they must acquire before they can get a job and live independently. They are encouraged to be creative and think for themselves. The students in level six are the most academically capable, in this age group, at Bethany Home. Some of them are capable of conducting a logical conversation when spoken to.

Once a month the children go on an outing in the school bus and every Friday afternoon they participate in co-curriculum activities that encourage them to interact positively with others. Assemblies are held once a week and birthdays are celebrated once a month, during which time all the children come together for a time of fun and laughter.