Tomatis

PROJECT PARTNERS:

• “Zlatokosa” Kindergarten, Borovo
• Municipality of Borovo

SHORT PROJECT DESCRIPTION

We have secured the continuation of the project Tomatis – Better Education Through Music, now called Let’s Grow, Play and Learn Together with the Tomatis Method. The main goal of the project is to provide children with developmental disabilities with the best possible growth, development and progress by applying the Tomatis method, which is used in only two towns in the Republic of Croatia and is very expensive, and is therefore available to very few.

The Tomatis method will be carried out as follows: the children are assessed by a Tomatis practitioner, the best programme is determined for each child, the children are formed into pairs or groups, and then 3 listening cycles follow, with breaks in between. After completing the programme, the children will improve their cognitive, motor, emotional and language and speech abilities, as well as their attention, concentration, motivation, socialisation and school performance. Our project partners will also help us achieve this goal.

PROJECT GOAL

Through the project we want to provide children with developmental disabilities with better growth, development and progress through the application of the Tomatis method. This method improves cognitive, motor, emotional and language and speech abilities, as well as the development of attention, concentration, motivation and socialisation, which increases their quality of life and school performance.

The general goal of the project is to increase the opportunities for children with developmental disabilities in Vukovar-Srijem County to acquire knowledge and skills and adopt appropriate attitudes outside the regular education system, and to improve their quality of life, in line with their interests and abilities.

The specific goals of the project include:

• Improving the life skills of children and young people with developmental disabilities
• Providing support to the families of children with developmental disabilities
• Improving the social inclusion of children with developmental disabilities
• Strengthening the capacities of local institutions and organisations

The goals set are based on many years of work by the applicant Association and come as a solution to the problems identified in the analysis of the current situation and the needs of the users.

BENEFITS OF THE TOMATIS® METHOD

This method has many benefits and has long been recognised around the world, and in our region as well. Its success has been shown in evaluations carried out in the users’ problem areas, in scientific research and in the statements of the users’ parents/carers themselves.

The method helps children with developmental difficulties:

• Specific learning difficulties
• Speech and language difficulties
• Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD)
• Affective and emotional disorders
• Motor disorders
• Autism spectrum disorder

The benefits of the Tomatis® method are:

• Improved fine and gross motor skills
• Improved social interaction
• Reduced sensory integration difficulties
• Improved spatial and temporal orientation
• Improved components of non-verbal communication
• Reduced emotional regulation difficulties
• Reduced learning difficulties and improved attention

RESULTS

• Improved cognitive, motor, emotional and language and speech abilities of the children
• Developed attention, concentration and motivation in the participants
• Improved socialisation and school performance of the children
• The Tomatis® method made available to children who would otherwise not have the opportunity to use this expensive and rarely available therapy
• Increased awareness of the importance of auditory neurosensory stimulation in the process of learning and development

In addition to these results, the implementation of the project is also expected to make the wider community more aware of the challenges faced by children with developmental disabilities and of the ways in which they can be helped. Through cooperation with partners and professionals, the project will contribute to creating a more inclusive society that recognises the importance of early intervention and innovative methods of support.

Additionally, the evaluation of the programme’s results will enable better adaptation and further development of the Tomatis® method in future educational and therapeutic processes. The data collected on the children’s progress will serve as a basis for improving approaches to working with children with developmental disabilities, which will open up opportunities for expanding the project and applying the method in other institutions.

Ultimately, the project will empower parents and carers through education and information, enabling them to better understand the needs of their children and giving them concrete tools and strategies to support their development.

PROJECT BENEFICIARIES

Children with developmental disabilities who will take part in the Tomatis® method programme. Zlatokosa Kindergarten in Borovo, which takes part as a partner in the project. Parents and family members of children with developmental disabilities, who will be able to follow their progress and the positive changes through the project.

TOTAL PROJECT VALUE AND DONOR

Total value: EUR 11,950.00

Donor: Ministry of Science, Education and Youth

IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD

Implementation period: from 1 December 2024 to 31 August 2025, a total of 9 months

CONTACT

Viktorija Matin, project manager

ured.vukovarski.leptirici@gmail.com, 098 952 7761

The content of this text is the sole responsibility of the Association of Parents of Children with Disabilities Vukovar Butterflies.

Tomatis – Auditory Neurosensory Stimulation

The project is funded by the Ministry of Science and Education – grants for projects of associations in the field of non-institutional education of children and young people in the 2022/2023 school year.

Short project description

We have secured the continuation of the project Tomatis – Better Education Through Music, now called Tomatis – Auditory Neurosensory Stimulation. The main goal of the project is to provide children with developmental disabilities with the best possible growth, development and progress by applying the Tomatis® method, which is used in only two towns in the Republic of Croatia and is very expensive, and is therefore available to very few. The Tomatis method will be carried out as follows: the children are assessed by a Tomatis practitioner, the best programme is determined for each child, the children are formed into pairs or groups, and then 3 listening cycles follow, with breaks in between. After completing the programme, the children will improve their cognitive, motor, emotional and language and speech abilities, as well as their attention, concentration, motivation, socialisation and school performance. Our project partner, Blage Zadre Primary School in Vukovar, will also help us achieve this goal.

Total project value

EUR 11,723.85

Implementation period

13 October 2022 to 31 August 2023.

Project manager

Nina Cvetković

Contact

vu.leptirici@gmail.com or projekti@vukovarski-leptirici.hr

SHORT PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The main goal of the project is to provide children with developmental disabilities with the best possible growth, development and progress by applying the Tomatis® method, which is used in only two towns in the Republic of Croatia and is very expensive, and is therefore available to very few. The Tomatis method will be carried out as follows: the children are assessed by a Tomatis practitioner, the best programme is determined for each child, the children are formed into pairs or groups, and then 3 listening cycles follow, with breaks in between. After completing the programme, the children will improve their cognitive, motor, emotional and language and speech abilities, as well as their attention, concentration, motivation, socialisation and school performance.

Introductory lectures for parents and staff of educational institutions before the start of the programme, and an evaluation of the project in the form of a round table for the same users and also for the local community, will make more information available about the Tomatis® method and teach people about its importance and the need to include it in the health and social welfare systems, so that it does not depend on projects but becomes a permanent service, because it is extremely useful and needed. With this project we expect to raise the local community’s awareness of the importance of systematic care, support and rehabilitation for children with developmental disabilities. The project is carried out at the Vukovar Butterflies Association and at Blage Zadre Primary School in Vukovar.

PROJECT GOALS

✅ Improving the skills and functioning of children with developmental disabilities after completing the Tomatis® listening programme. Improving attention and concentration, emotional regulation, and motor, cognitive and language and speech skills – leading to easier integration and socialisation, better performance in activities, improved memory and knowledge, i.e. better grades

✅ Better-informed parents and educational staff, which in future leads to greater knowledge of this method and more children being included in this listening programme

✅ Ensuring socialisation and developing interpersonal skills in the children included in the programme. By spending time with each other, they will develop empathy, tolerance, negotiation skills and respect for others, which ultimately ensures a better quality of life and satisfaction

✅ Including the Tomatis® method in the health and social welfare systems. In this way the Tomatis® method could become a permanent and free service for children with developmental disabilities and would not depend on projects

The method is very rare in Croatia, and it is extremely needed and important because it helps to improve a child’s skills and abilities and enables a better education and life for children with developmental disabilities in general.

RESULTS

✅ Improving the skills and functioning of children with developmental disabilities after completing the Tomatis® listening programme. The children’s motor, cognitive, emotional and language and speech skills will improve, as will their attention, concentration, motivation, socialisation and school performance

✅ Greater awareness in the local community, i.e. better-informed parents and staff of educational institutions, who will pass on what they have learned to other professionals and interested people. After the evaluation of the project in the form of a round table, a large number of professionals will be familiar with the positive effects of the Tomatis® method, which will lead to greater awareness in the local community and among individuals of the importance of appropriate rehabilitation methods, the importance of systematic care and the integration of children with developmental disabilities, and of making more modern and effective methods available for improving learning skills and education in general

PROJECT BENEFICIARIES

The project beneficiaries are children with developmental disabilities aged three to sixteen. The children’s difficulties may be motor, cognitive, emotional, language and speech difficulties, attention and concentration disorders, or autism spectrum disorder. 16 children will be included in the listening programme. A total of 50 users will be included in the project, 30 of whom will be parents and staff of educational institutions who will attend the introductory lectures.

TOTAL PROJECT VALUE

The total value of the project is HRK 78,666.67.

IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD

The project runs from 6 November 2021 to 31 August 2022.

PARTNER ORGANISATION

Blage Zadre Primary School, Vukovar

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION

Project manager: Nina Cvetković

E-mail: ninacvetkovic1992@gmail.com

Mobile: 097 668 58 62

Tomatis – Better Education Through Music: the project is funded by the Ministry of Science and Education – grants for projects of associations in the field of non-institutional education of children and young people in the 2021/2022 school year.