Portage is a home visiting teaching service for
pre-school children with additional needs or
disabilities. Portage supports families to learn together and
play together.
The name ‘Portage’ comes from the town of Wisconsin, USA, where
the home teaching scheme was developed in the 1970s.
In North Somerset there is a team of three Portage
practitioners, supervised by an Educational Psychologist. The
service is registered with the
National Portage
Association.
Children who receive Portage vary from a few months old to four
years of age. Children moving to school are supported through
the ‘Portage Link’.
Portage helps families to recognise their child’s progress and
celebrate their success. This is achieved through a planned
and structured teaching programme. Together, the family and
Portage practitioner find many ways to encourage their child’s
development, making it fun for everyone.
If a family chooses to have Portage they are visited weekly or
fortnightly by their Portage practitioner. Parents share with
the practitioner their understanding of their child’s abilities and
support needs. Developmental checklists might be used to help
identify strengths and goals for future learning. The
emphasis is on the positive, finding out and building on what the
child can do. Goals may focus on developing movement,
learning, play or communication. Activities are based on
play. The aim is to provide fun and success for the
child.
For more information contact the
North Somerset Portage Service.
