Occupational Models and Creative Communities

Occupational Models are used to understand and sustain relationships between people-environment-occupations

Indy Children's Museum
Participants explore environments at Indy Children's Museum "Indy Children's Museum" by navets is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

Health, according to the World Health Organization, is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity." It follows that many factors impact on health--within and external to the individual. Social determinants of health are factors that impact the health of individuals at the societal level, such as socio-economic position, employment conditions, housing, access to services, power, and social support (AIHW 2020).

Occupational therapists study the relationships between People, the Environment, and Occupational Performance, with the goal of enhancing peoples' health. The Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance Model (P-E-O-P), is one of many Occupational Models that are used by occupational therapists (Christiansen & Baum, 2015). The basic premise is that health may be improved through therapist collaboration with people and communities, to support their functioning in every day tasks. Occupations are defined as the things that people want and need to do.

“Man, through the use of his hands, as they are energized by mind and will, can influence the state of his own health.” This famous quote by Mary Reilly, was delivered in her 1961 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecture. It describes the relationship between our actions and our health--and the importance of creative activities. This scenario can be played out in our local area through creative social action with our neighbours, friends, family, respected cultural advisers, allied health professionals, and the GLAM sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums).

Creative Communities--What Does it Mean?

The concept of 'Creative Communities' involves using community arts as a means of improving health and well-being and community harmony, as well as achieving goals in education and artistic production. The creative process is negotiated and developed with communities--on their own terms. Read more about the Creative Communities approach (Kirkwood, 2007). Creative Communities may exist in your backyard, neighbourhood, and at Museums, Libraries, Art Galleries, Playgrounds and Parks. Occupational therapists create enabling environments through their participation in various spaces, supporting children/families with therapy goals and action learning approaches (Kirkwood, 2010).

Children's Museum

Children's Museums allow participants to explore, create, and adapt environments to suit their needs. Therapy links with learning and personal growth in environments that enrich our experiences. Our actions impact on our environments in various ways. Children's play is important in shaping understanding of person-environment-occupation relationships. The Mission of the Children's Museum in Indianapolis is: To create extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families.

Research on play in Children's Museums is growing, such as Luke et al (2021), discussion of the problem of play in children's museums. While play is desirable, the authors question how much the museum programs supports exploratory play, and/or structured learning goals. 
 
The Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich City, Australia provides children's activities and learning experiences. 
 

Children's Library

The Children's Library in Ipswich City, Australia opened in 2021. The Children's Library Website has the latest information on what is happening:

Children's Library, Ipswich City Council

Australia’s only public Children’s Library is open! Located in the Nicholas Street Precinct, it boasts a beautiful, purpose-designed and built space for children aged 0 – 12 years to explore, learn and play.

Some of the great things you’ll find in the new library include:

  • Over 35,000 great books just for kids
  • Unique, multi-reality interactive experiences
  • Heaps of kids-focused programs and events
  • Curated Parenting collection
  • Hands-on tech adventures specially designed for children
  • A beautiful, fully equipped Parents’ Room
  • Children's very own Marketplace collection
  • And two life-sized dinosaurs suspended from the ceiling!

 'Make a day of it and explore all Ipswich has to offer. After the library visit the amazing Ipswich Art Gallery to further feed curiosity and boost creativity.'

Ipswich Art Gallery - Children's Activities

The Ipswich Art Gallery will re-open on the the 3 December, 2021, just in time for the school holidays. The 'Built for Speed' exhibition is sure to be fun. Read more at https://www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au/kids/

Ipswich Parks and Outdoor Play Spaces

Playgrounds and parks allow children to actively explore and challenge themselves physically and mentally. The Discover Ipswich website provides further information and photographs of parks and outdoor play spaces in Ipswich City, Australia.

It is exciting to see the growth in local public environments that children, parents, and families free access to parks and the GLAM sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums). This is definitely an advantage during school holidays for enabling play.

Conclusion

What we are doing, being, and becoming is influenced by our social and physical environment. We also influence the environment through out actions and this impacts on our health. Occupational therapists can help people to explore their local area to find activities that interest them. This may involve moving out of our comfort zones and becoming more active and connected with others--enabling and supporting the development of Creative Communities.

References

AIHW (2020) Social determinants of health. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/social-determinants-of-health 

Children's Library, Ipswich Libraries website https://www.ipswichlibraries.com.au/visit/childrens-library/

Children's Museum of Indianapolis website. https://www.childrensmuseum.org/ 

Christiansen CH, Baum CM & Bass-Haugen J (2015) Occupational therapy: Performance, participation and well-being (4th edition). SLACK incorporated.

Discover Ipswich website.  https://www.discoveripswich.com.au/10-best-parks-ipswich-kids/

Ipswich Art Gallery website.  https://www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au/kids/ 

Kirkwood, S (2007) Creative Communities: What Does it Mean? National Allied Health Conference, 18-20 July, 2007, Tasmania, Australia. https://www.slideshare.net/musichealthaustralia/creative-communities

Kirkwood, S (2009) Ethnomusicking: Valued music occupation or audacious antics in the Purga Music Museum.  https://www.academia.edu/1491407/ETHNOMUSICKING_A_VALUED_MUSIC_OCCUPATION_OR_AUDACIOUS_ANTICS_IN_THE_PURGA_MUSIC_MUSEUM

Kirkwood, S  (2010) Doing, being, becoming more active through playing part in community-based museum scenarios. https://www.academia.edu/915929/Doing_being_and_becoming_more_active_through_playing_part_in_community_based_museum_scenarios
 
Luke J, Rivera N, Colbert L, & Scharon, C (2021) The problem of play in children’s museums, International Journal of Play, 10:1, 63-74, DOI: 10.1080/21594937.2021.1878773

Nichola B (2015)  Lifelong Learning with OT Blog
https://lifelonglearningwithot.wordpress.com/2015/10/23/occupational-models-peop-person-environment-occupational-performance/

Workshops Rail Museum, Queensland Museum website  https://theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/

World Health Organization (2006) Constitution of the WHO Basic Documents, Forthy-Fifth edition, Supplement, https://www.who.int/governance/eb/who_constitution_en.pdf 

Author, Sandra Kirkwood

Sandra is an Ipswich Occupational Therapist, Researcher, and Director of Music Health Australia.

mobile +061 488 624 362

email: kirkwood13@bigpond.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Zones of Regulation™ -- Self-Regulation and Emotional Control

 Zones of Regulation ™ is a curriculum designed to foster self-regulation and emotional control. Written and created by Leah M. Kuypers, Occupational Therapist, the resource is published as a book (2011). Read more at www.socialthinking.com/    This term, I am piloting the Zones of Regulation ™ with students during Occupational Therapy sesions--individual and small groups. The students are Prep and Primary School students who were referred to me with ADHD or ASD--having learning difficulties and conduct disorders at home and school. The goal is to gain better understanding and emotional regulation in all areas of living, especially for being in a suitable state for learning at school. I have previously used other self-regulation programs such as the Alert program, but currently pilot the Zones approach to determine suitability. Chapter 1: Get Ready provides the background. This chapter explains who can teach The Zones of Regulation? Who will benefit? How does it work? ...
Read more

School Readiness (part 1)

Image
With the new school year fast approaching, Prep Teachers were asked what skills children need to start school. I was provided with a list that allows parents and caregivers to check if their child's developmental milestones are on track.  "Writing" by dotmatchbox is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0  If children are yet to acquire skills in several areas, they may need referral to an Occupational Therapist for further assessment, and advice on skills development. Occupational Therapists assess development, especially school-related functional skills. Fine motor skills, visual perception and thinking skills are important for manipulating tools in the classroom, handwriting, and carrying out activities of daily living.  Referral can be made through local doctor (Medicare funding). Early Childhood Teachers usually spot areas that require further development. It is helpful to bring education and health reports and background...
Read more